Carleton College vs. Winona State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Carleton College in Northfield, MN with Winona State University in Winona, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Winona State University is larger than Carleton College based on total student enrollment (6,045 students vs. 2,128 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Carleton College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Winona State University is in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting).
• Carleton College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Carleton College 8:1; Winona State University 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 45.1% lower than at Carleton College ($9,654 vs. $17,586).
• Out-of-state tuition is 298% higher at Carleton College than at Winona State University (about $51,584 more per year; $68,892 vs. $17,308).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winona State University than at Carleton College (96% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carleton College students is 957.6% larger than aid received by Winona State University students ($56,846 vs. $5,375).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 11 points higher at Carleton College than at Winona State University (33 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Carleton College, test-free at Winona State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Carleton College Jan 15, 2027; Winona State University Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Carleton College average a 3.9 high school GPA, 0.46 higher than at Winona State University (3.44).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 34.8% at Carleton College vs. 24.2% at Winona State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Carleton College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than Winona State University graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Carleton College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Winona State University graduates ($201 vs. $248).
• More Carleton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation (92% vs. 75%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.