Winona State University vs. Buffalo State College

Deciding between Winona State University and SUNY Buffalo State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,500 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Winona State University
SUNY Buffalo State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Winona State University Winona, MN
  • Buffalo State College Buffalo, NY
  • Setting
  • Winona State University Distant Town
  • Buffalo State College Large City
  • Enrollment
  • Winona State University 6,045
  • Buffalo State College 6,188
  • Type
  • Winona State University Public 4 Year
  • Buffalo State College Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Winona State University #519
  • Buffalo State College #545
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Winona State University -
  • Buffalo State College -
  • Status
  • Winona State University Non-profit
  • Buffalo State College Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Winona State University
  • Buffalo State College
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Winona State University $10,576
  • Buffalo State College $8,533
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Winona State University $17,308
  • Buffalo State College $19,653
  • Room & Board
  • Winona State University $9,654
  • Buffalo State College $15,986
  • Average Net Price
  • Winona State University $18,289
  • Buffalo State College $12,023
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Winona State University $5,375
  • Buffalo State College $11,697
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Winona State University 96%
  • Buffalo State College 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Winona State University 6,642
  • Buffalo State College 18,219
  • Admitted
  • Winona State University 5,014
  • Buffalo State College 13,290
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Winona State University 75.5%
  • Buffalo State College 72.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Winona State University 24.2%
  • Buffalo State College 9.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Winona State University 1120
  • Buffalo State College 1110
  • Typical ACT score
  • Winona State University 22
  • Buffalo State College
  • Average High School GPA
  • Winona State University 3.44
  • Buffalo State College 2.84
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Winona State University B+
  • Buffalo State College B-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Winona State University Moderate
  • Buffalo State College Moderate
  • Applicant Competition
  • Winona State University
  • Buffalo State College Low
  • ACT Range
  • Winona State University 19/25
  • Buffalo State College
  • SAT Range
  • Winona State University 980/1250
  • Buffalo State College 980/1240
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Winona State University Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
  • Buffalo State College Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
  • Application Deadline
  • Winona State University Jul 1, 2027
  • Buffalo State College
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Winona State University 14:1
  • Buffalo State College 14:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Winona State University
    • Business (22%)
    • Education (18%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Communication (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
  • Buffalo State College
    • Education (26%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Winona State University 54%
  • Buffalo State College 47%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Winona State University $46,100
  • Buffalo State College $40,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Winona State University 75%
  • Buffalo State College 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Winona State University $24,000
  • Buffalo State College $21,409
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Winona State University $248
  • Buffalo State College $221
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Winona State University 3%
  • Buffalo State College 4%
  • % Women
  • Winona State University 9%
  • Buffalo State College 11%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Winona State University Very Low
  • Buffalo State College High
  • HBCU
  • Winona State University No
  • Buffalo State College No
  • % White
  • Winona State University 87%
  • Buffalo State College 51%
  • % Asian
  • Winona State University 2%
  • Buffalo State College 3%
  • % Black
  • Winona State University 2%
  • Buffalo State College 28%
  • % Hispanic
  • Winona State University 3%
  • Buffalo State College 12%
  • % Native American
  • Winona State University 0%
  • Buffalo State College 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Winona State University 0%
  • Buffalo State College 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Winona State University 2%
  • Buffalo State College 3%
  • % International
  • Winona State University 3%
  • Buffalo State College 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Winona State University 1%
  • Buffalo State College 0%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Winona State University 69%
  • Buffalo State College 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Winona State University 30%
  • Buffalo State College 4%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Winona State University Yes
  • Buffalo State College Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Winona State University No
  • Buffalo State College No
  • Meal Plan
  • Winona State University Yes
  • Buffalo State College Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Winona State University No
  • Buffalo State College No
  • Daycare Facility
  • Winona State University Yes
  • Buffalo State College Yes
  • Learn More
  • Winona State University Details
  • Buffalo State College Details

Comparable Facts

Compare Winona State University in Winona, MN with SUNY Buffalo State University in Buffalo, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY Buffalo State University is larger than Winona State University based on total student enrollment (6,188 students vs. 6,045 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Winona State University is located in Winona, MN (Distant Town setting); SUNY Buffalo State University is in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting).
  • Winona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY Buffalo State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Winona State University 14:1; SUNY Buffalo State University 14:1.

Winona State University vs. Buffalo State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Winona State University or Buffalo State College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY Buffalo State University than Winona State University ($12,023 vs. $18,289).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 39.6% lower than at SUNY Buffalo State University ($9,654 vs. $15,986).
  • Winona State University is 23.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Buffalo State College (about $2,043 more per year; $10,576.00 vs. $8,533.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 13.5% higher at Buffalo State College than at Winona State University (about $2,345 more per year; $19,653.00 vs. $17,308.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at SUNY Buffalo State University than at Winona State University (100% vs. 96%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY Buffalo State University students is 117.6% larger than aid received by Winona State University students ($11,697 vs. $5,375).

Winona State University vs. Buffalo State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Winona State University or Buffalo State College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Buffalo State College and Winona State University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Winona State University (1120) is 10 points higher than at Buffalo State College (1110).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winona State University 980/1250; SUNY Buffalo State University 980/1240.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winona State University 19/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Winona State University - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Buffalo State College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
  • Typical fall application deadline: Winona State University Jul 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Winona State University students have a 0.6 point higher average high school GPA (3.44) than students at Buffalo State College (2.84).
  • Winona State University has a higher acceptance rate (75.5%) than Buffalo State College (72.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.2% at Winona State University vs. 9.2% at Buffalo State College.

Winona State University vs. Buffalo State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Winona State University and Buffalo State College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Winona State University's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than SUNY Buffalo State University's (47%).
  • Graduates from Winona State University earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Buffalo State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $40,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY Buffalo State University graduates have a $2,591 lower median loan debt than Winona State University graduates ($21,409 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, Buffalo State College graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Winona State University graduates ($221 vs. $248).
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Buffalo State College students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 59%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.