Winona State University has earned a Silver ranking in the “Best University” category in the 2025 Star Tribune Minnesota’s Best awards — placing Winona State second among the top institutions recognized statewide. This marks Winona State’s first year participating in the competition.
The Minnesota’s Best program is a highly-competitive, audience-driven initiative that invites Minnesotans to nominate and vote for outstanding organizations across a wide range of categories. Rankings are based on verified online votes and reflect excellence in quality, service, reputation, and overall experience.
Winona State’s Silver ranking reflects strong support from the community and broader public recognition of the university’s academic quality, service, and reputation within Minnesota’s higher education landscape.
“This recognition confirms what we already know: Winona State is a place where students thrive, faculty and staff lead with purpose, and excellence is a shared pursuit,” said Winona State President Kenneth Janz. “Every vote cast for Winona State is a vote of confidence in the work we do together. I’m deeply proud of our community and grateful for the passion, care, and excellence that define our university.”
Winona State students also expressed pride in the university’s recognition as one of “Minnesota’s Best.”
“It’s awesome to see Winona State getting this kind of recognition,” said Izzy Huncker ’27, I-Design major. “As a student, I feel like I get to be part of something special here, and it’s cool to know that people across Minnesota see that too.”
Discover everything you need to build a brighter future at Winona State University — visit wsu.mn/admissions to explore 100+ bachelor’s degrees, 80+ minors, 40+ graduate programs, and a variety of adult & continuing education programs.
About Winona State University
Founded in 1858, Winona State University is a comprehensive, regional public university with campuses in Winona and Rochester. The oldest member of the Minnesota State system, WSU offers more than 80 undergraduate, pre-professional, licensure, graduate and doctorate programs in five colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts, Nursing & Health Sciences, and Science & Engineering.
Winona State is ranked 3rd among Minnesota Universities and 22nd across the entire Midwest region (U.S. News and World Report, 2025-26). It has been named among the “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review for 22 consecutive years.
The University generates $447.9 million in economic impact for the region per year. The university’s mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, cultural and economic vitality of the people and communities it serves: a community of learners improving our world. For more information, visit winona.edu.
