Winona, MN · Private University
Is Winona State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$58,532
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,498
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$17,230
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$68,920
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.40x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
60.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$18,148
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Winona State University graduates earn $13,532 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Winona State University ranked by graduate earnings
70 graduates
30 graduates
352 graduates
35 graduates
17 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Winona State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Winona State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $77,981) and the lowest (Sociology: $41,763) is $36,218/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $77,981 | 4.5x |
| Materials Engineering | $74,935 | 4.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $72,474 | 4.2x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,992 | 4.1x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $70,813 | 4.1x |
| Management Information Systems and Services(1yr data) | $64,613 | 3.8x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $62,770 | 3.6x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services(1yr data) | $61,935 | 3.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,283 | 3.5x |
| Biology, General | $60,023 | 3.5x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,296 | 3.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,859 | 3.2x |
| Marketing | $54,778 | 3.2x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $54,656 | 3.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,253 | 3.0x |
| Public Health | $50,899 | 3.0x |
| Social Work | $48,600 | 2.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $47,656 | 2.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $46,669 | 2.7x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $46,505 | 2.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $45,770 | 2.7x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $45,648 | 2.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,468 | 2.6x |
| Psychology, General | $45,294 | 2.6x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $43,717 | 2.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $42,246 | 2.5x |
| SociologyLowest | $41,763 | 2.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Winona State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $58,532 10 years after starting, $13,532 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.9 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.