Winona State University
Winona State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Winona State University at a Glance
Winona State University is a public university in Winona, Minnesota, United States. It was founded as First State Normal School of Minnesota in 1858 and is the oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. It was the first normal school west of the Mississippi River.
1858
168 years old
$62M
$62.4 million (2023)
6,165
Identity
Is Winona State University Worth It?
Winona State University offers moderate value at $17,503/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $58,532, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Winona State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #26 of 100 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #3 | Purdue University Northwest | 86 | $6,079 | $48,318 |
| #4 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #5 | University of Michigan-Flint | 81 | $7,007 | $53,230 |
| #6 | Truman State University | 75 | $12,780 | $56,280 |
| #26 | Winona State University | 49 | $17,503 | $58,532 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Winona State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Winona State University
The highest-earning program at Winona State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $63,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $23,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Winona State University earns $63,700, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $23,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $20,400 in median debt vs. $22,500 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,503/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $63,700 | $63,700 | $20,400 |
| Computer Science | $61,800 | $61,800 | $22,000 |
| Materials Engineering | $60,500 | $60,500 | $27,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $60,200 | $60,200 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $44,200 | $44,200 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,900 | $41,900 | $22,549 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $41,500 | $41,500 | $25,000 |
| Marketing | $40,100 | $40,100 | $23,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,000 | $39,000 | $26,203 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $38,900 | $38,900 | $20,500 |
| Social Work | $38,600 | $38,600 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $37,700 | $37,700 | $25,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $36,300 | $36,300 | $28,115 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,900 | $35,900 | $22,399 |
| Public Health | $35,300 | $35,300 | $23,800 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,000 | $35,000 | $25,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $34,900 | $34,900 | $23,225 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $34,700 | $34,700 | $22,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $34,300 | $34,300 | $22,656 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $33,700 | $33,700 | N/A |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $31,600 | $31,600 | $25,500 |
| Psychology, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $21,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,600 | $28,600 | $23,251 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $23,000 | $23,000 | $22,500 |
Similar Colleges in MN
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Winona, MN
- Student Body
- 5,144 students
- Admission Rate
- 75%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,503
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $58,532
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500