Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Winona, Minnesota |
| Online | winona.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Distant Town |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in the scenic Mississippi River valley of southeastern Minnesota, Winona State University sits on a compact urban campus in the city of Winona, approximately two hours from Minneapolis-St. Paul. Founded in 1858 as the first teacher training institution west of the Mississippi River, WSU has evolved into a comprehensive public university while maintaining its historic strengths in education programs. The campus combines historic red-brick buildings with modern facilities across its main and west campuses, connected by a pedestrian path through the residential district. The university is known for its programs in nursing, business administration, and education, while also maintaining strong offerings in engineering and computer science. Most first-year students reside in one of the university's residence halls, and the institution competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Warriors, primarily within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Winona State University is rated within the top 47% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Winona State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#528 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#161 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#15 in Best Colleges in Minnesota
#3 in Best Public Colleges in Minnesota
#567 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#17 in Best Value Colleges in Minnesota
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 980/1250 |
| ACT | 19/25 |
| GPA | 3.44 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $20 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Minnesota Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Other Fees | $2,110 |
| Room and Board | $9,924 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,640 |
| Total One Year Cost | $23,962 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Other Fees | $2,110 |
| Room and Board | $9,924 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,640 |
| Total One Year Cost | $30,694 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 22% |
| Education | 18% |
| Health Professions | 12% |
| Communication | 7% |
| Biology | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Winona State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=175272 IPEDS survey data for Winona State University.
Current students may use the Winona State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025