Minnesota vs. Winona State University

Should I go to University of Minnesota Twin Cities or Winona State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Minnesota 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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University of Minnesota Twin Cities vs. Winona State University comparison
University of Minnesota Twin Cities Winona State University College 3 College 4
University of Minnesota Twin Cities Winona State University
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Overview

Minnesota Winona State University
Location Minneapolis, MN Winona, MN
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 54,890 6,058
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #150 #528
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website umn.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Minnesota Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $14,496 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $34,410 $15,120
Room & Board $13,028 $9,924
Avg Net Price $16,730 $18,919
Avg Grant Aid $11,807 $4,499
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 96%

Admission

Minnesota Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 39,863 6,159
Admitted 30,705 4,220
Acceptance Rate 77% 68.5%
Enrolled % 21.9% 27.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.75 3.44
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 27/31 19/25
SAT Range 1310/1480 980/1250
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 Jan 1, 2026 Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Minnesota Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Minnesota Winona State University
Graduation Rate 70% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $58,200 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,185 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $208 $248

Diversity

Minnesota Winona State University
% Men 12% 3%
% Women 16% 10%
Racial Diversity Medium Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 70% 87%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 9% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Minnesota Winona State University
% In-State 66% 67%
% Out-of-State 26% 31%

Campus

Minnesota 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

  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than than Winona State University based on total student enrollment (54,890 students vs. 6,058 students)

Minnesota vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 72.8% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($14,496.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 127.6% higher at Minnesota than Winona State University ($34,410.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than Winona State University ($16,730 vs. $18,919)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 31.3% lower than costs at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($9,924 vs. $13,028)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than University of Minnesota Twin Cities (96% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students is 162.4% larger than aid received Winona State University ($11,807 vs. $4,499)

Minnesota vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota .

  • The average SAT score at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1288) is 238 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming Minnesota students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (29) than students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Winona State University (68.5%)

Minnesota vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

  • The graduation rate at Minnesota is higher than Winona State University (70% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn on average $12,100 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($58,200 vs. $46,100)
  • University of Minnesota Twin Cities students graduate with a $3,815 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($20,185 vs. $24,000)
  • Minnesota graduates are paying $40 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($208 vs. $248)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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