Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota · Public · 75.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 69/100 · Fair Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
Winona State University's ROI score of 69 places it in the Fair Value tier. In-state tuition is $10,576, and the average net price of $17,503 produces a four-year total cost estimate of $70,012. Six-year average earnings are $40,000 and median ten-year earnings are $58,532. The payback period of 8.9 years is acceptable. The completion rate of 56.9% is the primary concern, reflecting the challenge of retaining students at a regional comprehensive serving many first-generation and transfer students. Median debt of $21,500 is moderate. The earnings premium score of 74 indicates graduates significantly outperform their expected baseline. Pell Grant recipients represent 24.2% of the student body. Winona State's nursing program is its clearest financial anchor, but strong outcomes also appear in materials engineering, computer science, and finance.
Winona State University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $10,576/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $17,308/yr |
| Average net price | $17,503/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $70,012 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,532 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $21,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $228 |
| Estimated payback period | 8.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 56.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 5,144 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $10,576/year ($17,308/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $17,503/year, or roughly $70,012 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $10,224/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,307/year.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $21,500, which works out to about $228 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($40,000) and comes to 0.54, under 1.0, meaning median debt is less than a full year of those earnings.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,224 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,792 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,814 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,871 |
| $110,001+ | $21,307 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students with family incomes below $30,000 pay an average net price of $10,224 per year - roughly $41,000 over four years. Against nursing first-year earnings of $75,313, this represents exceptional access-to-outcome value for students completing a health-sciences credential. The 56.9% completion rate remains a risk; low-income students should proactively engage with WSU's academic support services.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families ($30,001 - $75,000) face net prices of $11,792 - $13,814. These are competitive figures for a regional public with strong nursing and engineering programs. At $12,000 - $14,000 per year, the economics work for virtually any career-aligned program, including teaching, social work, and business.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Higher-income families ($75,001 and above) pay $17,871 - $21,307. At these prices, WSU's value is solid but less differentiated from private institutions that offer larger merit awards.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Winona State University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $80,117 | B+ |
| Teacher Education | $46,863 | C |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $61,878 | C+ |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $48,767 | C |
| Psychology | $49,361 | C |
| Biology | $57,528 | C |
| Social Work | $54,056 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,456 | C |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $63,303 | C |
| Marketing | $70,203 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing (206 graduates) earns a B+ grade - WSU's strongest program. Year-one earnings of $75,313 and four-year earnings of $80,117 reflect strong placement into Minnesota's healthcare sector. Median debt of $26,252 and a ratio of 0.349 are controlled. WSU's nursing program is the clearest financial case for enrollment and feeds the Twin Cities, Rochester, and regional Minnesota healthcare markets.
Materials Engineering
Materials Engineering (17 graduates) earns a B+ grade with year-one earnings of $72,944 and four-year earnings of $91,528. Median debt of $22,000 and a ratio of 0.302 are among the best on campus. This smaller program delivers strong manufacturing and industrial sector placement in southeastern Minnesota and the broader Midwest.
Computer Science
Computer Science (46 graduates) earns a B grade with year-one earnings of $65,817 and four-year earnings of $88,164. Median debt of $23,250 and a ratio of 0.353 are well-controlled.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (25 graduates) earns a B grade with year-one earnings of $52,188 and four-year earnings of $75,807. Median debt of $23,167 and a ratio of 0.444 are manageable.
Accounting
Accounting (37 graduates) earns a B grade with year-one earnings of $55,898 and four-year earnings of $72,768. Median debt of $23,652 and a ratio of 0.423 are solid. The combination of in-state pricing and strong Midwest accounting market placement makes this one of WSU's most financially efficient programs.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 82.0% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 84.7% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 80.5% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 86.9% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How Winona State University’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 75.5% |
| Enrollment | 5,144 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,946 |
Admission is broadly available; nursing and engineering programs may have additional application requirements within the university. Academic preparation and career focus are the primary predictors of success.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Winona State's ROI score is 69 and its three-year repayment rate is 84.7%.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winona State University (this school) | 69 | $17,503 | $58,532 |
| SUNY Oneonta | 72 | $19,158 | $60,386 |
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | 69 | $18,796 | $61,767 |
| State University of New York at Oswego | 65 | $16,236 | $57,566 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | 62 | $19,139 | $56,922 |
| Bemidji State University | 60 | $15,261 | $53,755 |
Who Thrives Here
Winona State is a strong fit for Minnesota students targeting nursing, engineering, computer science, or business careers who want a residential campus experience at public university cost. Students who complete a degree here - particularly in health, STEM, or professional fields - achieve solid ROI. The 56.9% completion rate means students should assess academic support resources before enrolling, especially if they have risk factors for stopping out.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Winona State University is a fair-value bet, but how well it pays off depends a lot on you. At $17,503 a year after aid ($70,012 over four years), with the typical graduate earning $58,532 a decade out, the cost takes about 8.9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
What it has going for it: high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $21,500 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $40,000 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, under the 1.0 point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings. Your major matters a lot here: graduates in higher-earning fields will see the better end of this.
Winona State University: Common Questions
Is Winona State University worth it?
In our view, it's a fair-value bet - whether Winona State University is worth it depends a lot on your major and aid package. It scores 69/100 on our ROI scale. At $17,503 a year after aid ($70,012 over four years) against $58,532 in typical earnings a decade out, the cost takes about 8.9 years to earn back. For context, the median payback across the schools we score is about 12 years.
How much does Winona State University cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $17,503 a year, or roughly $70,012 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do Winona State University graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $58,532 ten years after enrolling, roughly $16,732 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off Winona State University?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 8.9 years for Winona State University. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do Winona State University graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $21,500, against average earnings of $40,000 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54. In our view that is reasonable, though your major matters: higher-earning fields will see the better end of it.
What is the graduation rate at Winona State University?
The six-year graduation rate is 56.9%. The national average for four-year schools is 64% (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.