Winona State University is ranked second among public universities in Minnesota in the Midwest category of "Best Regional Universities" in U.S. News & World Report's 2013 edition of "Best Colleges."
          
The university is ranked seventh overall in Minnesota, 15th among public universities in the Midwest, and as the 58th regional university in the Midwest, up from 62 in 2012.

Of the 107 institutions ranked in the Midwest category, seven are public institutions located in Minnesota; of these, six are members of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. WSU is the highest-ranked MnSCU institution.