Head-to-head comparison
Winona State University vs College of Saint Benedict: which has better ROI?
Option A Winona, MN
Winona State University
- Net price / year
- $17,503
- Earnings, 10 years
- $58,532
- Payback
- 6.9 yrs
Option B Saint Joseph, MN
College of Saint Benedict
- Net price / year
- $26,640
- Earnings, 10 years
- $63,260
- Payback
- 7.2 yrs
Winona State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,012 in 6.9 years versus 7.2 years at College of Saint Benedict, on median earnings of $58,532 vs $63,260 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Winona State University | College of Saint Benedict |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,503 | $26,640 |
| Total net cost | $70,012 | $106,560 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,532 | $63,260 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $26,944 |
| Payback | 6.9 yrs | 7.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $133,428 | $191,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Winona State University or College of Saint Benedict?
Winona State University, at $17,503 a year after aid versus $26,640 — a gap of $9,137 a year, or $36,548 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Winona State University or College of Saint Benedict graduates earn more?
College of Saint Benedict graduates report a median $63,260 ten years after entry, $4,728 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Winona State University or College of Saint Benedict?
Winona State University: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $26,944 at College of Saint Benedict, a difference of $5,444. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at College of Saint Benedict, 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.