Computer Science at Winona State University

Winona State's computer science program lands squarely in the middle of Minnesota's CS landscape, with first-year earnings of $65,817 placing it at the 40th percentile statewide. That's roughly $7,000 below the state median and significantly trailing flagship programs like Minnesota-Twin Cities ($82,861) or even regional competitor Minnesota-Duluth ($73,224). For a family weighing in-state options, this means their graduate will likely start behind peers from other Minnesota public universities.

The financial picture isn't alarming—debt of $23,250 is essentially average nationally and below Minnesota's median—but the combination creates modest pressure. At 0.35, the debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable, though not as comfortable as what graduates from higher-ranked state programs enjoy. The 19% earnings growth to $77,981 by year four follows a normal trajectory but doesn't close the gap with top-tier programs.

This works as a sensible choice for students who need the smaller campus environment of Winona (acceptance rate of 69%) and can't access or afford more competitive programs. You're paying typical debt for below-average outcomes within Minnesota, so the real question becomes whether the personal fit justifies earning $5,000-15,000 less annually than graduates from other state schools. If your child thrives in smaller settings and CS job placement is solid, it's defensible. If maximizing earning potential matters most, look at the flagship or Minnesota-Duluth first.