Winona State University vs The College of Saint Scholastica: which has better ROI?
The College of Saint Scholastica has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $111,384 in 6.3 years versus 6.9 years at Winona State University, on median earnings of $65,934 vs $58,532 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Winona State University | The College of Saint Scholastica |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,503 | $27,846 |
| Total net cost | $70,012 | $111,384 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,532 | $65,934 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $20,000 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 6.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $133,428 | $240,096 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Winona State University or The College of Saint Scholastica?
Winona State University, at $17,503 a year after aid versus $27,846 — a gap of $10,343 a year, or $41,372 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Winona State University or The College of Saint Scholastica graduates earn more?
The College of Saint Scholastica graduates report a median $65,934 ten years after entry, $7,402 more than the $58,532 at Winona State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Winona State University or The College of Saint Scholastica?
The College of Saint Scholastica: its completers carry a median $20,000 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Winona State University, a difference of $1,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at The College of Saint Scholastica, against 57% at Winona State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.