WMU vs. Winona State University

Should I go to Western Michigan University or Winona State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if WMU 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

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

CMU GVSU Oakland WSU Michigan State ISU Eastern Michigan University Minnesota State University-Mankato Northern Illinois Michigan Tech Michigan UM-Dearborn
Western Michigan University vs. Winona State University comparison
Western Michigan University Winona State University College 3 College 4
Western Michigan University Winona State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

WMU Winona State University
Location Kalamazoo, MI Winona, MN
Setting Small City Distant Town
Enrollment 17,000 6,154
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #634 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wmich.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

WMU Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $14,523 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $18,154 $15,120
Room & Board $11,102 $9,654
Avg Net Price $20,030 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $6,813 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 98%

Admission

WMU Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 20,501 5,367
Admitted 17,334 3,958
Acceptance Rate 84.6% 73.7%
Enrolled % 15.1% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Average Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/27 19/25
SAT Range 990/1220 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 Jul 1, 2025

Academics

WMU Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Communication (6%)
  • Engineering (6%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

WMU Winona State University
Graduation Rate 56% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,633 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $275 $248

Diversity

WMU Winona State University
% Men 47% 30%
% Women 53% 70%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 72% 87%
% Black 12% 2%
% Hispanic 5% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

WMU Winona State University
% In-State 79% 67%
% Out-of-State 19% 31%

Campus

WMU 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

  • Western Michigan University is larger than than Winona State University based on total student enrollment (17,000 students vs. 6,154 students)

WMU vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Western Michigan University is 73.1% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($14,523.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.1% higher at WMU than Winona State University ($18,154.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than WMU ($18,187 vs. $20,030)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 15% lower than costs at Western Michigan University ($9,654 vs. $11,102)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than Western Michigan University (98% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Michigan University students is 35.8% larger than aid received Winona State University ($6,813 vs. $5,017)

WMU vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WMU 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 WMU .

  • The average SAT score at Winona State University (1050) is 20 points higher than at WMU (1030)
  • Incoming Winona State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WMU (22)
  • Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

WMU vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, WMU 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 WMU.

  • The graduation rate at WMU is higher than Winona State University (56% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Western Michigan University earn on average $2,800 more per year than Winona State University graduates after ten years. ($48,900 vs. $46,100)
  • Winona State University students graduate with a $2,633 lower median federal student loan debt than WMU graduates. ($24,000 vs. $26,633)
  • Winona State University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than WMU graduates. ($248 vs. $275)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 54%)

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