Western State Colorado University vs. Winona State University

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

Western State Colorado University Winona State University
Location Gunnison, CO Winona, MN
Setting Remote Town Distant Town
Enrollment 3,548 6,154
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #709 #533
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website western.edu winona.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western State Colorado University Winona State University
Tuition (In State) $6,936 $8,388
Tuition (Out of State) $18,960 $15,120
Room & Board $10,286 $9,654
Avg Net Price $16,672 $18,187
Avg Grant Aid $9,189 $5,017
% Receiving Grant Aid 91% 98%

Admission

Western State Colorado University Winona State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,116 5,367
Admitted 2,862 3,958
Acceptance Rate 91.8% 73.7%
Enrolled % 15.3% 29.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/29 19/25
SAT Range 1010/1270 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

Western State Colorado University Winona State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (28%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Biology (7%)
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

Western State Colorado University Winona State University
Graduation Rate 39% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,800 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,500 $24,000
Median Loan Payment $222 $248

Diversity

Western State Colorado University Winona State University
% Men 49% 30%
% Women 51% 70%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 75% 87%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 10% 3%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 0% 3%
% Unknown Race 6% 1%

Students

Western State Colorado University Winona State University
% In-State 72% 67%
% Out-of-State 27% 31%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Winona State University is larger than than Western State Colorado University based on total student enrollment (6,154 students vs. 3,548 students)

Western State Colorado University vs. Winona State University Cost Comparison

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

  • Winona State University is 20.9% more expensive to attend than Western State Colorado University for in-state tuition ($8,388.00 vs. $6,936.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.4% higher at Western State Colorado University than Winona State University ($18,960.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western State Colorado University than Winona State University ($16,672 vs. $18,187)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 6.5% lower than costs at Western State Colorado University ($9,654 vs. $10,286)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Winona State University than Western State Colorado University (98% vs. 91%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western State Colorado University students is 83.2% larger than aid received Winona State University ($9,189 vs. $5,017)

Western State Colorado University vs. Winona State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Western State Colorado 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 Western State Colorado University .

  • The average SAT score at Winona State University (1050) is 86 points higher than at Western State Colorado University (964)
  • Incoming Winona State University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Western State Colorado University (20)
  • Accepted freshman Winona State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Western State Colorado University (3.42)
  • Western State Colorado University has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

Western State Colorado University vs. Winona State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western State Colorado 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 Western State Colorado University.

  • The graduation rate at Winona State University is higher than Western State Colorado University (54% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Winona State University earn on average $5,300 more per year than Western State Colorado University graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $40,800)
  • Western State Colorado University students graduate with a $2,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($21,500 vs. $24,000)
  • Western State Colorado University graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($222 vs. $248)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western State Colorado University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 61%)

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