Winona State University vs. WLC

Should I go to Winona State University or Wisconsin Lutheran College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Winona State University or WLC 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
Winona State University vs. Wisconsin Lutheran College comparison
Winona State University Wisconsin Lutheran College College 3 College 4
Winona State University Wisconsin Lutheran College
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

Winona State University WLC
Location Winona, MN Milwaukee, WI
Setting Distant Town Large City
Enrollment 6,154 1,086
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #533 #532
Religious Affiliation - Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website winona.edu wlc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Winona State University WLC
Tuition (In State) $8,388 $33,210
Tuition (Out of State) $15,120 $33,210
Room & Board $9,654 $11,380
Avg Net Price $18,187 $22,682
Avg Grant Aid $5,017 $23,128
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Winona State University WLC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,367 1,474
Admitted 3,958 1,383
Acceptance Rate 73.7% 93.8%
Enrolled % 29.7% 22.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 22/27
SAT Range 1000/1270 1038/1243
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

Winona State University WLC
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Education (15%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Winona State University WLC
Graduation Rate 54% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,100 $43,000
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 77%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $248 $258

Diversity

Winona State University WLC
% Men 30% 44%
% Women 70% 56%
Racial Diversity Very Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 83%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 3% 5%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Winona State University WLC
% In-State 67% 66%
% Out-of-State 31% 33%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Winona State University is larger than than WLC based on total student enrollment (6,154 students vs. 1,086 students)

Winona State University vs. WLC Cost Comparison

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

  • Wisconsin Lutheran College is 295.9% more expensive to attend than Winona State University for in-state tuition ($33,210.00 vs. $8,388.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 119.6% higher at WLC than Winona State University ($33,210.00 vs. $15,120.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Winona State University than WLC ($18,187 vs. $22,682)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 17.9% lower than costs at Wisconsin Lutheran College ($9,654 vs. $11,380)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Wisconsin Lutheran College than Winona State University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Wisconsin Lutheran College students is 361% larger than aid received Winona State University ($23,128 vs. $5,017)

Winona State University vs. WLC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Wisconsin Lutheran College (1101) is 51 points higher than at Winona State University (1050)
  • Incoming WLC students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at Winona State University (23)
  • Accepted freshman WLC students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Winona State University (3.44)
  • WLC has a higher acceptance rate (93.8%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

Winona State University vs. WLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Winona State University or WLC? 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 WLC and Winona State University.

  • The graduation rate at WLC is higher than Winona State University (63% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Winona State University earn on average $3,100 more per year than WLC graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $43,000)
  • Winona State University students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than WLC graduates. ($24,000 vs. $25,000)
  • Winona State University graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than WLC graduates. ($248 vs. $258)
  • More WLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation. (77% vs. 75%)

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