Winona State University is the oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. According to statistics, Winona State University received 6,803 freshman applications and admitted 5,115 out of them. The acceptance rate is around 68%, which is moderately competitive. International students securing admission to Winona State University hail from more than 44 countries around the globe.

Winona State University offers 73 undergraduate programs, 22 graduate programs, and 2 specialist degrees for interested candidates. There are 2 intake seasons- Fall and Spring and the deadlines are in July and November for submission of application. An international student planning to enroll at Winona State University should be aware that the tuition for attending the university for one academic year is around 8,100 USD. The Cross-Cultural Scholarship, a fee waiver, is dedicated for international candidates.

Winona State University Rankings

  • #46 in Regional Universities Midwest by US News and World Report
  • #31 in Best Colleges for Veterans by US News and World Report
  • #40 in Top Performers on Social Mobility by US News and World Report
  • #10 in Top Public Schools by US News and World Report
  • #185 in Best Colleges for Sports Management in America according to Niche
  • #190 in Best Colleges for Nursing in America according to Niche
  • #199 in Best College Athletics in America according to Niche
  • #224 in Top Party Schools in America according to Niche

Winona State University Highlights

Type of university Public
Year of establishment 1858
Academic calendar Semester
Student to faculty ratio 19:1
Number of faculty members 459
Number of undergraduate students 6,408
Number of graduate students 717
Percentage of international students 3.2%
Annual acceptance rate 68%
Basic tuition fees for international undergraduate students 14,600 USD
Basic tuition fees for international graduate students 12,080 USD
Test scores accepted TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, SAT, ACT
Application fee 20 USD
Official website http://www.winona.edu/

Winona State University Campus and Accommodation

The campus of the institute includes academic and administrative buildings and offices, libraries, wellness complexes, facilities centers, performing arts centers, dining places, and various residential options available on the campus. There are several facilities enjoyed by a student who stays at Winona State University campus and some of the features of the campus as follows.

  • There is an Integrated wellness center and pool at Winona State University campus. A running track and various gymnasium equipment for the students to enjoy.
  • The university houses over 20 club sports teams of sports including basketball, soccer, rugby, etc and there are even intramural sport options for interested students to participate in.
  • The university offers opportunities for music and art enthusiasts by giving them access to theatre groups, concerts, and training sessions. It is also the home ground for the Great River Shakespeare Festival.
  • There are 10 organizations that are dedicated exclusively to students who identify themselves as ‘bookworms’. Students can give or receive book suggestions, discuss what they have read, etc.
  • There are more than 180 student-led organizations at Winona State University offering students endless opportunities. They even have the option of building their new club from scratch.
  • Mental and physical health is prioritized vastly at Winona State University for which Advising Services, Career Services, Tutoring Services and Access Services are the pillars of student guidance.

Winona State University Accommodation

Winona State University offers on-campus housing for students in the form of Traditional Hall, Suite Style Halls, and Veteran’s Centre. Upperclassmen students can also seek housing at East lake Apartments, which is an off-campus housing option. Traditional housing has single, super single, and double rooms while suite-style living encourages community living. The housing facilities can be summed up as follows.

  • Sheehan Hall houses approximately 400 students and is 13 storeys high. There are lounge spaces, kitchen and laundry facilities, and other room amenities in single and double rooms.
  • The Prentiss-Lucas houses mostly first-year students and accommodates a total of 400 people. There is the main lobby, front desk, recreation center for use and it is a co-ed residence hall.
  • The Quad Complex consisting of 3 separate housing halls houses 450 students from all years. There are a variety of rooms to choose from and the hall has a courtyard, basketball court, lounges, basement, and a recreation center.
  • Kirkland Haake Hall is a suite-style living option and houses 450 students. Each suite is equipped with an air conditioner, a bedroom, a bathroom with a shower, and a common area. The lounge and conference room are present.
  • The Veteran’s center provides housing options for veteran students. The rooms are fully furnished and equipped with all the basic amenities. A lounge and study room are available.
  • East Lake Apartments are available for upperclassmen and they consist of 100 units for more than 370 students. The apartments are fully furnished, air-conditioned, and monitored by security 24/7.

Also check: Student housing in the US

The housing costs for the years can be summarized as follows:

Room Type Rate (USD/year)
Traditional residence halls 6,100
Kirkland and Haake Halls2 bedroom suite/4 person double 6,400
Kirkland and Haake Halls Other Rooms 7,450
East Lake Apartments 4 bedroom apartment/4 person single 5,740
East Lake Apartments2 bedroom/1 bedroom apartment 4,962
East Lake Apartments1 bedroom efficiency apartment/ 2 person double 4,614

Winona State University Programs

Winona State University offers over 80 programs from five colleges for incoming students. There are a total of 100+ programs spread across bachelor's, master's, and certificate degrees.

  • There is also a distance education program. The Adult and Continuing education program from the university gives those candidates a chance to study who are traditionally not considered of college-going student age.
  • Undergraduate, graduate, distance, and hybrid programs and continuing education make sure that the student is receiving the appropriate education according to their demand. The summer session programs provide short and attainable courses for interested applicants who want to excel academically during the summer.

Winona State University Admissions Process

International students seeking enrolment at Winona State University must be ready with their official academic transcripts, standardized test scores, required GPA, English proficiency results, financial certification, medical records, and health insurance for one whole academic year. The following things should be kept in mind while applying to the university.

Winona State University Application Deadlines

Winona State University accepts students in two intakes- Fall and Spring semesters. International students must start the application procedure as early as possible to increase their chances at admission, and keep all the application materials ready. The application deadlines are as follows:

Intake season Deadline
Fall semester July 1
Spring semester November 1

The basic admission requirements for undergraduate and graduate students are compiled below.

  • A GPA above 2.75-3.0 (82%-86%).
  • Academic transcripts from high school/secondary institute/all universities.
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • English proficiency test scores
  • Standardized test scores can be submitted like SAT/ACT. The average range of submitted scores are:
    • SAT- 1000-1210
    • ACT- 19-25
  • Mid-year school report with all the scores, properly evaluated by an official evaluator agency.
  • Personal statement
  • CV/Resume
  • 2 reference forms
  • GRE/GMAT score is required in some programs.
  • Financial documentation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Medical records
  • Health insurance
  • LOR

English Proficiency Test Scores

International students are required to display proficiency in English to be considered for admission at Winona State University. The English proficiency requirements for undergraduate and graduate students are noted below.

Test score Undergraduate requirement Graduate requirement
TOEFL iBT 68 80
TOEFL PBT 520 550
ACT 21 NA
SAT 1060 NA
IELTS 5.5 6.5
PTE 47 58
Duolingo 85 105

Winona State University Cost of Attendance

International students are encouraged to look up the estimated budget of studying in the US before they start making applications for Winona State University. The cost of attendance is affected hugely by personal expenses but can be calculated on an estimation. The average cost of attendance for an academic year at Winona State University is as follows:

Type of expense Undergraduate cost (USD/year) Graduate cost ( USD/year)
Tuition 14,600 12,080
Fees 1,114 756
DLL fee (laptop) 970 -
Housing and meals 9,270 9,270
Books and supplies 900 900
Personal expenses 2,000 2,000
Transportation 640 640
Total 28,994 25,700

Winona State University Scholarships

International students are eligible to receive scholarships at Winona State University. Over 96% of students enrolled at Winona State University avail of some kind of financial aid. Some scholarships are renewable for multiple years of the course. The following scholarships are available for international students:

  • Cross-Cultural Scholarship- All international students are automatically considered for this scholarship and no separate application is required. Students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50/4 (80%-81%)for keeping the scholarship intact. The scholarship can be availed for up to 9 semesters.
  • Presidential Honour Scholarship- This scholarship is provided to students who display incredible academic achievements. To qualify, a student should provide standardized or English proficiency test scores and the amount received will depend on the scores. For example, a student with an SAT- 1470 will receive a Presidential Honour Scholarship of 3,500 USD, someone with a score of 1320 will get a scholarship worth 2,500 USD, and a student who has secured 1260 will get a scholarship worth 1,000 USD.
  • Additional Scholarships- There are many department-based scholarships that are awarded to the students. The student must contact the department they have applied in to get more information about the scholarships. The WSU Foundation offers over 700 scholarships worth 1.4 million every year.

Apart from these students can also apply for scholarships in the US.

Work-study Program

Students are permitted to work on campus as a part of the financial aid package. They can work in several places on the campus under a strict number of hours. They are given a bi-weekly paycheck for the work they have done.

Winona State University Alumni

Winona State University has more than 50,000 alumni all over the globe. The alumni network is very active and there are a number of benefits that can be enjoyed. The following alumni benefits can be mentioned.

  • The alumni members are invited to social events and summoned for networking opportunities through which they can communicate with more people.
  • Career building, job search, and internship opportunities can be checked by keeping in touch with the alumni association.
  • The alumni can attend free webinars.
  • The WSU Darrell Krueger Library offers membership to alumni who can get access to a variety of books at any time.
  • Through email newsletters, alumni blogs, and WSU magazine, the alumni can get news and updates about the university and its current events.
  • There are several discount opportunities from the institute’s bookstore for the alumni.

Notable Alumni of Winona State University

  • Tim Penny- Famous author and politician
  • Brian Wrobel- Former American football quarterback
  • Karla Bigham- Minnesota senator
  • Josh Breen- Popular actor
  • Mark Steven Johnson- Famous screenwriter

Winona State University Placements

Winona State University is known for its incredibly high placement record. The Career Services Centre helps bring students to employee’s radar, prepares them for interviews, and assists them in writing their resumes. The average base salary of a Winona State University graduate is around 62,000 USD. The different fields and their average salaries pursued by Winona State University graduates are as follows:

Job type Average salary(USD/year)
Process engineer 67,000
Software engineer 75,000
Senior accountant 61,000
Paralegal 49,000
Financial analyst 51,000

Winona State University has a #1 student success rate in the Minnesota State System since 98% of the university’s graduates get a job in their own field. With 80+ majors and programs, multiple varsity sports teams and club teams, several student-led organizations, and satisfying housing facilities, the university attracts a lot of international aspirants from all over the globe every year.