Winona State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Winona State University is a public research university in Winona, Minnesota, serving roughly 5,144 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 75.49% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $58,532 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,576
- 2024 Average Net Price: $17,503 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 75.49% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 5,144 86.6% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 56.94%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
- First-Generation Students: 21.2%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.1% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 2.5% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 69.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1119
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,994
- Applicants (IPEDS): 6,159
- Room & Board: $9,654 annual estimate
Winona State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Winona State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Winona State University?
Winona State University is located in Winona, MN (ZIP 55987-5838).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Winona State University public or private?
Winona State University is a Public institution.
How much does Winona State University cost?
Published tuition: $10,576 in-state, $17,308 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $17,503.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $10,224 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,792 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $13,814 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,871 |
| $110,001+ | $21,307 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $42,304.
How hard is it to get into Winona State University?
Admission rate: 75.49%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1119 and midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Winona State University?
Total enrollment: 5,144 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 5,994 students.
Graduate enrollment: 728 students.
About 87% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Winona State University?
150%-time completion rate: 56.94%.
First-year retention: 79.0%.
What do graduates of Winona State University earn?
Median earnings: $51,288 six years after entry; $58,532 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $21,500.
24.22% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Winona State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (219 completions)
- Social Work (130 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (115 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (112 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (69 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (67 completions)
- Psychology, General (61 completions)
- Accounting (46 completions)
- Computer Science (42 completions)
- Mass Communication/Media Studies (40 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Winona State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 75.49%; completion rate 56.94%; median earnings $58,532 at 10 years; net price $17,503. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,576
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Winona State University was $10,576.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$17,503
2024 Value
In 2024 Winona State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,503.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$70,012 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$17,503 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$42,304 4-Year In-State Tuition
$69,232 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$9,654 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$900 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$21,130 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$84,520 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Winona State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
24.22% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
48.65% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Winona State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Winona State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $8,730 | $14,230 | $17,408 |
| 2014 | $8,750 | $14,250 | $17,620 |
| 2015 | $9,047 | $14,744 | $17,393 |
| 2016 | $9,075 | $14,772 | $17,845 |
| 2017 | $9,379 | $15,302 | $17,695 |
| 2018 | $9,425 | $15,348 | $17,399 |
| 2019 | $9,666 | $15,766 | $17,656 |
| 2020 | $9,780 | $15,971 | $17,634 |
| 2021 | $10,184 | $16,684 | $17,546 |
| 2022 | $10,492 | $17,224 | $17,699 |
| 2023 | $10,498 | $17,230 | $18,148 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
75.49% Acceptance Rate
6,159 Total Applicants
4,220 Students Admitted
1,162 First-Time Students Enrolled
27.54% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1119
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Winona State University reported total enrollment of about 5,144 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 31% male and 69% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (80.9%), Hispanic or Latino (5.3%), and Two or More Races (4.0%). About 24.22% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 21.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
86.6% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Winona State University in 2024 is 5,144 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 5,994 students. Graduate enrollment is about 728 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
79.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 80.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
38.42% 100% Completion Time
56.94% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 38.42% of students graduating from Winona State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 11% male / 89% female
- Social Work: 10% male / 90% female
- Elementary Education and Teaching: 9% male / 91% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Winona State University.
Return on Investment
$21,500 Median Student Debt
$58,532 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
36.73% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
736.03% Return on Investment
3.7 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Winona State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 79 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 219 completions
2. Social Work: 130 completions
3. Elementary Education and Teaching: 115 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 112 completions
5. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 69 completions
6. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 67 completions
7. Psychology, General: 61 completions
8. Accounting: 46 completions
9. Computer Science: 42 completions
Most popular programs at Winona State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Winona State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Winona State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 69.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $10,946
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,017
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, MN, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Social Work, Elementary Education and Teaching. Enrollment is approximately 5,144 students. Student body composition includes White (80.9%), Hispanic or Latino (5.3%), Two or More Races (4.0%). The admission rate is 75.49%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1119. The 150%-time completion rate is 56.94%. Approximately 24.22% of students receive Pell Grants. About 21.2% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Small Programs
Location
Winona, MN 55987-5838
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 79 distinct degree programs, Winona State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Winona State University located?
Winona State University is located in Winona, MN.
What is Winona State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Winona State University is 75.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 6,159 applicants and 4,220 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Winona State University cost?
Reported tuition is $10,576 and average net price is $17,503 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,654 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Winona State University?
Winona State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 5,994 students, White (80.9%), Hispanic or Latino (5.3%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Winona State University?
About 21.2% of students at Winona State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Winona State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Winona State University reports midpoint SAT about 1119 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of Winona State University earn?
Median earnings are $51,288 six years after entry and $58,532 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Winona State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 56.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Winona State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $21,500.
Is Winona State University public or private?
Winona State University is a public institution located in Winona, MN.
Is Winona State University an HBCU?
No. Winona State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Winona State University a tribal college?
No. Winona State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Minnesota college costs
- Minnesota colleges by ROI
- Winona, Minnesota city profile
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Minnesota
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.