St Olaf vs. Winona State University

Comparable Facts

Compare St Olaf 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 St Olaf based on total student enrollment (6,045 students vs. 3,124 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• St Olaf College is located in Northfield, MN (Distant Town setting); Winona State University is in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting).
• St Olaf College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Winona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: St Olaf College 11:1; Winona State University 14:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 29.2% lower than at St Olaf College ($9,654 vs. $13,630).
• Out-of-state tuition is 245.3% higher at St Olaf than at Winona State University (about $42,452 more per year; $59,760 vs. $17,308).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St Olaf College than at Winona State University (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St Olaf College students is 739% larger than aid received by Winona State University students ($45,098 vs. $5,375).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 8 points higher at St Olaf than at Winona State University (30 vs. 22, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test optional at St Olaf, test-free at Winona State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: St Olaf Jan 15, 2027; Winona State University Jul 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at St Olaf average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at Winona State University (3.44).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26.8% at St Olaf vs. 24.2% at Winona State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Winona State University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than St Olaf graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Winona State University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St Olaf graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More St Olaf graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Winona State University students, three years after graduation (91% vs. 75%).

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