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Head-to-head comparison

Winona State University vs The College of Saint Scholastica: which has better ROI?

Public, Winona MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Duluth MN

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Winona, MN

Winona State University

Net price / year
$17,503
Earnings, 10 years
$58,532
Payback
6.9 yrs

Option B Duluth, MN

The College of Saint Scholastica

Net price / year
$27,846
Earnings, 10 years
$65,934
Payback
6.3 yrs
The verdict

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.)

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Head to head
MeasureWinona State UniversityThe 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
Payback6.9 yrs6.3 yrs
20-year net return$133,428$240,096

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

The short answer

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.

Winona State University vs The College of Saint Scholastica: frequently asked questions

Is Winona State University or The College of Saint Scholastica a better value?
The College of Saint Scholastica. It clears its $111,384 net cost in about 6.3 years versus 6.9 years at Winona State University, on median earnings of $65,934 vs $58,532 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Winona State University or The College of Saint Scholastica?
Winona State University: $17,503/yr net price after aid versus $27,846/yr at The College of Saint Scholastica — a difference of $10,343 a year, or about $41,372 over four years.
Do Winona State University or The College of Saint Scholastica graduates earn more?
The College of Saint Scholastica graduates earn a median $65,934 ten years after entry, versus $58,532 at Winona State University — a $7,402 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.