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Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota 55987-5838

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for health sciences

Winona State University is a public institution in Winona with particular strength in health sciences and business. With an average SAT of 1119, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 5.1K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

61% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $58,532 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,148.

Established
1858
Motto
A Community of Learners Improving Our World
Mascot
Wazoo
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

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69%Acceptance
1119SAT Avg
5,088Students
15:1Student:Faculty
61%Grad Rate
$58,532Earnings 10yr
$18,148Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate68.5%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1119

Reading & WritingMid: 550
510610
MathMid: 575
470640

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1925

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,498
Tuition (out-of-state)$17,230
Room & Board$9,924
Books & Supplies$900
Total Cost of Attendance$23,373
Average Net Price$18,148
Median Debt at Graduation$21,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$228

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$11,400
$30–48K$12,486
$48–75K$15,495
$75–110K$19,388
$110K+$21,306

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

48.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

33

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

7

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

10

Drug Arrests

8

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (86)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

78%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
5,088
Gender Split
68% / 32%
Women / Men
First Generation
21%
Pell Grant Recipients
23%

Race & Ethnicity

White 82%
Black 3%
Hispanic 5%
Asian 3%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate60.9%
Freshman Retention77.5%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$51,288
10 Years$58,532

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#71
vs 2024
Forbes
#65
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#294
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Warriors

Gymnastics

History & Fun Facts

  • 64250Built1915 (Model School), 1924 (College Hall)ArchitectClarence H.
  • 13000884Added to NRHPDecember 3, 2013 Winona State University was founded as the First State Normal School, an institution specifically for educating and producing new elementary school teachers.
  • Winona settler John Ford lobbied the Minnesota Legislature to establish normal schools and rallied more than $5,000 in local donations to establish the state's first such institution.
  • It was also the first tax-funded school west of the Mississippi River.
  • Classes at Winona Normal School began in September 1860, but the next year most of the male students as well as the principal and other staff left to serve in the American Civil War.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

97Average

Estimated from MN state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K
103 mi(179 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
200 mi(347 min)
Chicagopop. 2.7M
252 mi(437 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul97 mi
MKE Milwaukee203 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare237 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1041 mi · ~30h 4m drive
New York, NY927 mi · ~26h 47m drive
Hartford, CT971 mi · ~28h 3m drive
Providence, RI1032 mi · ~29h 49m drive
Albany, NY902 mi · ~26h 3m drive
Syracuse, NY778 mi · ~22h 29m drive
Rochester, NY704 mi · ~20h 20m drive
Buffalo, NY644 mi · ~18h 36m drive
Philadelphia, PA890 mi · ~25h 43m drive
Pittsburgh, PA645 mi · ~18h 38m drive
Harrisburg, PA798 mi · ~23h 3m drive
Newark, NJ918 mi · ~26h 31m drive
Washington, DC834 mi · ~24h 6m drive
Baltimore, MD841 mi · ~24h 18m drive
Atlanta, GA811 mi · ~23h 26m drive
Charlotte, NC836 mi · ~24h 9m drive
Raleigh, NC893 mi · ~25h 48m drive
Miami, FL1417 mi · ~40h 56m drive
Orlando, FL1212 mi · ~35h 1m drive
Tampa, FL1223 mi · ~35h 20m drive
Nashville, TN602 mi · ~17h 23m drive
New Orleans, LA978 mi · ~28h 15m drive
Richmond, VA867 mi · ~25h 3m drive
Chicago, IL252 mi · ~7h 17m drive
Detroit, MI449 mi · ~12h 58m drive
Minneapolis, MN103 mi · ~2h 59m drive
St. Louis, MO382 mi · ~11h 2m drive
Kansas City, MO374 mi · ~10h 48m drive
Indianapolis, IN408 mi · ~11h 47m drive
Columbus, OH526 mi · ~15h 12m drive
Cleveland, OH534 mi · ~15h 26m drive
Milwaukee, WI200 mi · ~5h 47m drive
Dallas, TX827 mi · ~23h 53m drive
Houston, TX1008 mi · ~29h 7m drive
Austin, TX1009 mi · ~29h 9m drive
San Antonio, TX1078 mi · ~31h 9m drive
Los Angeles, CA1576 mi · ~45h 32m drive
San Francisco, CA1654 mi · ~47h 47m drive
San Diego, CA1579 mi · ~45h 37m drive
Seattle, WA1488 mi · ~42h 59m drive
Portland, OR1516 mi · ~43h 48m drive
Denver, CO747 mi · ~21h 35m drive
Phoenix, AZ1316 mi · ~38h 1m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1055 mi · ~30h 29m drive
Honolulu, HI4041 mi · ~116h 44m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

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