WINONA, Minn. – In a news release, Winona State proclaimed, a bit misleadingly, that the magazine U.S. News &World Report ranked it the best public college in Minnesota. Actually U.S. News ranks colleges by “value” – schools that offer the best education and experience for the buck. It’s not a list of simply “the best,” as Winona State claims in its news release. Yes, the magazine ranked Winona State well — tied with University of Minnesota-Duluth at fourth as “best value” among public colleges in the state. Among all Minnesota colleges, however, Winona State and UM-Duluth were 41st. Among public colleges in a larger comparison – the whole Midwest — Winona State and UM-D were eighth, again tied. For several years Winona State had led the whole regional list, but U.S. News has refines its criteria from time to time and adjusts its formulas for comparison. This all has been further complicated this year by the entry of another magazine, Washington Monthly, in the ranking game. Washington Monthly’s criteria consider not only tuition and other costs but also long-term value like how much graduate are earning years later. Washington Monthly doesn’t give Winona State nearly the bragging rights of yore. According to Washington Monthly, Winona State is fourth among public colleges but 56th among private and public colleges.
Verbatim and overstated
WSU news release’s lead sentence: “Winona State University has been recognized as the No. 1 public school in the State of Minnesota.”
Other criteria
Where Winona State fits on U.S. News & World Report subsets:
> Veterans. Best for veterans in Minnesota and 16th in the Midwest, tying with UM-Duluth.
> Social mobility. Third among Minnesota public colleges, tied with St. Cloud State University and UM-Duluth.
> Needy students. Winona State ranks well enrolling and graduating economically disadvantaged students.