Winona State University
#8 Best Nursing Colleges in Minnesota- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $58,532 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,503 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 75% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.5 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Nursing Colleges in Minnesota.
Every $1 spent returns $19.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,296,841.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 44% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Winona State University Matters
Winona State University is a public university in Winona, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,144
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Psychology
Why students choose Winona State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 75% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,503 a year after grants and scholarships — 2% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $58,532 ten years after enrolling — 44% above the typical college, against $21,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.78 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 75%, Winona State University is a welcoming choice for students who prioritize a supportive environment. This school is particularly suited for those interested in fields like Health Professions, Education, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, and Psychology. The diverse programs allow students to explore various career paths while receiving a solid education tailored to their chosen disciplines.
Looking at what awaits graduates, those who complete their degrees from Winona State can expect to earn an average of $58,532 a decade after graduation. This number indicates that students who invest their time and effort here are likely to see a decent return on their educational investment. The affordability of the school is also a plus, with a net price of $17,503 after aid, making it accessible for many.
When it comes to financial realities, students typically graduate with a median debt of $21,500. This debt level suggests that while some may face challenges, many can still navigate their financial futures with reasonable payments. Winona State tends to attract students who are motivated and engaged, making it a place where individuals can thrive academically and socially.
Rankings
- #8 Best Nursing Colleges in Minnesota
- #10 Best Education Colleges in Minnesota
- #11 Best Communications Colleges in Minnesota
- #13 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
- #16 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #16 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #18 Best Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
- #19 Best Master's Programs in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Winona State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Winona State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Winona, Minnesota, Winona State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 75%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- Full-Time Faculty
- 69%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,946
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.34
- First-Gen Students
- 21%
- Applicants
- 5,367
- Admitted
- 3,958
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard Winona State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 29% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school many admits weigh against other offers.
- Yield Rate
- 29%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 13%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 46%
- of enrolled freshmen
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 59% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Winona State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Winona State University is $17,308, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,503. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,224 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,576
- Out-of-State
- $17,308
- Avg Net Price
- $17,503
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 24%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 49%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,224
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,792
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,814
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,307
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Winona State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Winona State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Winona State University earn a median of $58,532, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $51,288
- 8 Years
- $55,462
- 10 Years
- $58,532
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 76%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (662)
- 41%
- 100% (662)
- 41%
- 100% (662)
- 41%
- 100% (662)
- 41%
How Winona Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Winona State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Winona State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,503/year ($70,012 total). Graduates earn $58,532 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,366,853 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,296,841 (19.5× your investment). The median debt is $21,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $70,012
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,366,853
- Net Return
- $1,296,841
- ROI Multiple
- 19.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,503
- Median Debt
- $21,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $323,000
Top Programs
The fields Winona State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 24% $77,352 early-career
- Education 16% $49,508 early-career
- Business & Marketing 14% $69,715 early-career
- Psychology 5% $36,562 early-career
- Humanities 4% $34,410 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $75,254 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $45,495 early-career
- Communications 3% $49,829 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Winona State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Winona State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Winona, Minnesota, Winona State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 75%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 22. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Winona State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Winona State University is $17,308, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $17,503. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,224 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,500 in federal student loans.
Is Winona State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Winona State University earn a median of $58,532, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Winona State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Winona State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does Winona State University offer Early Decision?
No. Winona State University does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is Winona State University really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 59% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at Winona State University (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at Winona State University?
About 29% of admitted students choose to enroll at Winona State University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Winona State University.
- State University of New York at OswegoOswego, NY · Close peer60% grad $57,566 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville, GA · Close peer63% grad $58,140 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Aurora UniversityAurora, IL · Close peer59% grad $58,709 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- SUNY BrockportBrockport, NY · Close peer56% grad $54,496 earn 71% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- State University of New York at PlattsburghPlattsburgh, NY · Close peer59% grad $56,403 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-StoutMenomonie, WI · Close peer54% grad $58,084 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Winona State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Winona State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.78, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note