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Winona State University
Most applicants get into Winona State University — 75.5% were admitted — so the real questions are cost, fit and outcomes, covered below.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
Winona State University anchors the college town of Winona, MN, where the public campus and town largely share a footprint.
Its highest-earning path is Materials Engineering, where graduates median $91,528 four years out. Faculty pay averages $131,352 a year here — a rough proxy for what the school spends on the teaching itself. With 5,144 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 79% of first-years come back for a second year.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 980 and 1250 — below the MN middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Winona State University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
Winona State University is test-optional: scores are considered when submitted but not required. The 980–1250 range below describes admitted students who chose to submit — typically Winona State University's stronger testers — so treat it as the higher end of what gets in.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 510 | 540 | 610 |
| SAT Math | 470 | 550 | 640 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 22 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Winona State University received 6,159 applications and admitted 4,220 (68.5%), with 1,162 enrolling.
How Winona State University compares
| Winona State University | Minnesota median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 75.5% | 85.4% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $10,576 | $22,520 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $58,532 | $58,351 | $53,781 |
Ten years after enrolling, the median Winona State University student earns $58,532 — 0% above the Minnesota median of $58,351 for college-goers.
Cost, size & completion
As a public university, Winona State University prices by residency: $10,576 in-state versus $17,308 out-of-state — a $6,732 gap that makes state lines part of the decision.
Winona State University enrolls 5,144 undergraduates — mid-sized, with the trade-offs Winona State University's scale implies: more programs than a small college, more anonymity too.
56.9% graduate within six years. Roughly 43% don't — ask a Winona State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Winona State University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Materials Engineering | $91,528 |
| Computer Science | $88,164 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $80,117 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $76,708 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $75,807 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $73,400 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,768 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $72,716 |
| Marketing | $70,203 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $65,501 |
| Chemistry | $64,760 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $63,303 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $62,220 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $61,878 |
| Biology, General | $57,528 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $55,235 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $55,113 |
| Political Science and Government | $55,027 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $54,381 |
| Social Work | $54,056 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,456 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $51,910 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $49,824 |
| Psychology, General | $49,361 |
| Sociology | $49,166 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | $48,808 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,767 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $48,258 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,876 |
| Public Health | $47,291 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,863 |
Median earnings for these 31 Winona State University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $58,532 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 21 additional Winona State University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Winona State University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 980–1250 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 75.5% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Winona State University's acceptance rate?
68.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 4,220 admitted from 6,159 applicants.
How much does Winona State University cost?
In-state tuition is $10,576; out-of-state students pay $17,308. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Winona State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $58,532 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Minnesota
- Southwest Minnesota State University — 62.2% admitted
- University of Minnesota-Morris — 74.9% admitted
- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities — 79.8% admitted
- Gustavus Adolphus College — 61% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.