Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Winona State University

Should I go to Southwest Minnesota State University or Winona State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Southwest Minnesota State University or Winona State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Winona State University comparison
Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University College 3 College 4
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Overview

Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University
Location Marshall, MN Winona, MN
Setting Rural Fringe Distant Town
Enrollment 6,930 6,154
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #948 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website smsu.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $8,840 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $8,840 $15,120
Room & Board $9,258 $9,654
Avg Net Price $15,004 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $7,389 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 98%

Admission

Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,558 5,367
Admitted 1,427 3,958
Acceptance Rate 91.6% 73.7%
Enrolled % 22.8% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.21 3.44
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/23 19/25
SAT Range 935/1102 1000/1270
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 18, 2025 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (39%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Communication (4%)
  • Biology (4%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University
Graduation Rate 39% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $41,200 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,678 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $224 $248

Diversity

Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University
% Men 38% 30%
% Women 62% 70%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 80% 87%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University
% In-State 74% 67%
% Out-of-State 20% 31%

Campus

Southwest Minnesota State University Winona State University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is larger than than Winona State University based on total student enrollment (6,930 students vs. 6,154 students)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Minnesota State University or Winona State University?

  • Southwest Minnesota State University is 5.4% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($8,840.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 71% higher at Winona State University than Southwest Minnesota State University ($15,120.00 vs. $8,840.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southwest Minnesota State University than Winona State University ($15,004 vs. $18,187)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwest Minnesota State University are 4.3% lower than costs at Winona State University ($9,258 vs. $9,654)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than Southwest Minnesota State University (98% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwest Minnesota State University students is 47.3% larger than aid received Winona State University ($7,389 vs. $5,017)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Minnesota State University or Winona State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Winona State University or Southwest Minnesota State University .

  • The average SAT score at Winona State University (1050) is 42 points higher than at Southwest Minnesota State University (1008)
  • Incoming Winona State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Winona State University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Southwest Minnesota State University (3.21)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University has a higher acceptance rate (91.6%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

Southwest Minnesota State University vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwest Minnesota State University or Winona State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Winona State University and Southwest Minnesota State University.

  • The graduation rate at Winona State University is higher than Southwest Minnesota State University (54% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Winona State University earn on average $4,900 more per year than Southwest Minnesota State University graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $41,200)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University students graduate with a $2,322 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($21,678 vs. $24,000)
  • Southwest Minnesota State University graduates are paying $24 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($224 vs. $248)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwest Minnesota State University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/