Winona State University vs. WCU

Should I go to Winona State University or Western Carolina University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Winona State University or WCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Winona State University vs. Western Carolina University comparison
Winona State University Western Carolina University College 3 College 4
Winona State University Western Carolina University
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Overview

Winona State University WCU
Location Winona, MN Cullowhee, NC
Setting Distant Town Distant Town
Enrollment 6,154 11,635
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #533 #763
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website winona.edu wcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Winona State University WCU
Tuition (In State) $8,388 $1,000
Tuition (Out of State) $15,120 $5,000
Room & Board $9,654 $11,173
Avg Net Price $18,187 $13,022
Avg Grant Aid $5,017 $4,526
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 99%

Admission

Winona State University WCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,367 17,917
Admitted 3,958 15,201
Acceptance Rate 73.7% 84.8%
Enrolled % 29.7% 12.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.44 3.44
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Moderate Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/26
SAT Range 1000/1270 1020/1240
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2024 Mar 1, 2024

Academics

Winona State University WCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (22%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (7%)
  • Biology (6%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Engineering Technology (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)

Outcomes

Winona State University WCU
Graduation Rate 54% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,100 $39,100
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $22,010
Median Loan Payment $248 $227

Diversity

Winona State University WCU
% Men 30% 41%
% Women 70% 59%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 79%
% Black 2% 6%
% Hispanic 3% 6%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Winona State University WCU
% In-State 67% 80%
% Out-of-State 31% 18%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Western Carolina University is larger than than Winona State University based on total student enrollment (11,635 students vs. 6,154 students)

Winona State University vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Winona State University or WCU?

  • Winona State University is 738.8% more expensive to attend than WCU for in-state tuition ($8,388.00 vs. $1,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 202.4% higher at Winona State University than Western Carolina University ($15,120.00 vs. $5,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Carolina University than Winona State University ($13,022 vs. $18,187)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winona State University are 15.7% lower than costs at Western Carolina University ($9,654 vs. $11,173)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western Carolina University than Winona State University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Winona State University students is 10.8% larger than aid received Western Carolina University ($5,017 vs. $4,526)

Winona State University vs. WCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Winona State University or WCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between WCU or Winona State University .

  • The average SAT score at Winona State University (1050) is 18 points higher than at WCU (1032)
  • Incoming Winona State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at WCU (22)
  • Accepted freshman Winona State University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.44) as students at WCU (3.44)
  • WCU has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than Winona State University (73.7%)

Winona State University vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Winona State University or WCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between WCU and Winona State University.

  • The graduation rate at Winona State University is higher than Western Carolina University (54% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from Winona State University earn on average $7,000 more per year than WCU graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $39,100)
  • Western Carolina University students graduate with a $1,990 lower median federal student loan debt than Winona State University graduates. ($22,010 vs. $24,000)
  • WCU graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Winona State University graduates. ($227 vs. $248)
  • More Winona State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/