Winona State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Winona State University charges a net price of $17,503/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $70,012. Graduates earn a median $58,532 ten years after entry, $10,172/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 6.9 years — a 20-year net return of $133,428, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Winona State University's 6.9-year payback ranks #616 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 52% of them, and #16 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,503/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $70,012 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $58,532 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $10,172/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $133,428 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Winona State University's own numbers. Net price $17,503 × 4 years = $70,012 total. Median earnings $58,532 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $10,172 a year of premium. $70,012 ÷ $10,172 = 6.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $133,428. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Winona State University students graduate with?
A median $21,500 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $58,532 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Winona State University students graduate?
57% finish their degree — 43% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $70,012 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $122,828 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Winona State University expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $17,503 net price runs $683 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $2,730 more across the full degree.