University of Northern Colorado vs. Winona State University

Should I go to University of Northern Colorado or Winona State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if University of Northern Colorado 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
University of Northern Colorado vs. Winona State University comparison
University of Northern Colorado Winona State University College 3 College 4
University of Northern Colorado Winona State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

University of Northern Colorado Winona State University
Location Greeley, CO Winona, MN
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 9,380 6,154
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #617 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unco.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

University of Northern Colorado Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $8,750 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $22,140 $15,120
Room & Board $12,870 $9,654
Avg Net Price $18,310 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $8,813 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 98%

Admission

University of Northern Colorado Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,107 5,367
Admitted 7,938 3,958
Acceptance Rate 78.5% 73.7%
Enrolled % 15% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.53 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/27 19/25
SAT Range 990/1200 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 1, 2025 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

University of Northern Colorado Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

University of Northern Colorado Winona State University
Graduation Rate 46% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $44,600 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,970 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $227 $248

Diversity

University of Northern Colorado Winona State University
% Men 31% 30%
% Women 69% 70%
Racial Diversity High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 87%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 18% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 1% 3%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

University of Northern Colorado Winona State University
% In-State 82% 67%
% Out-of-State 17% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Northern Colorado is larger than than Winona State University based on total student enrollment (9,380 students vs. 6,154 students)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Northern Colorado or Winona State University?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 4.3% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.4% higher at University of Northern Colorado than Winona State University ($22,140.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than University of Northern Colorado ($18,187 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 33.3% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($9,654 vs. $12,870)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than Winona State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 75.7% larger than aid received Winona State University ($8,813 vs. $5,017)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Northern Colorado 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 University of Northern Colorado .

  • The average SAT score at Winona State University (1050) is 19 points higher than at University of Northern Colorado (1031)
  • Incoming Winona State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at University of Northern Colorado (22)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • University of Northern Colorado has a higher acceptance rate (78.5%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

University of Northern Colorado vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, University of Northern Colorado 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 University of Northern Colorado.

  • The graduation rate at Winona State University is higher than University of Northern Colorado (54% vs. 46%)
  • Graduates from Winona State University earn on average $1,500 more per year than University of Northern Colorado graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $44,600)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $2,030 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($21,970 vs. $24,000)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($227 vs. $248)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Northern Colorado students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 62%)

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