University of Minnesota--Twin Cities

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Quick Stats
100 Church Street SE

Minneapolis, MN 55455-0213

[map]
Phone: (612) 625-5000
2011-2012 Tuition
$13,022
in-state
$18,022
out-of-state
Students
33,607
enrolled
48%
male /
52%
female
Admissions
rolling admission
47.8%
accepted

More Information

_

U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category
U.S. News rank Category Name
#68 National Universities

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Summary

University of Minnesota--Twin Cities is a public institution that was founded in 1851. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 33,607, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,204 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Minnesota--Twin Cities's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 68. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,022 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $18,022 (2011-12).

The University of Minnesota is the only school in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference that is located in a major city—or two, to be exact. Minneapolis and St. Paul, known as the Twin Cities, are frequently recognized for sports, cleanliness, and volunteerism. The school stretches across the Twin Cities with a campus in each, though the Minneapolis site is considered the main campus of the University of Minnesota. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but the 75 percent who choose to can opt to live in a traditional residence hall or one of 24 Living Learning communities, such as the Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives House, and the La Casa De Español. Also on campus are more than 600 student organizations, including nearly 40 fraternities and sororities. The Minnesota Golden Gophers compete in the Big Ten, and all athletic events are held in the Minneapolis campus’s Stadium Village neighborhood. Goldy Gopher, the school mascot, energizes thousands of student fans as they chant “Ski-U-Mah,” a rally cry that means “Victory UM.” Under the Four-Year Graduation Plan, the university ensures that all necessary classes will be available for a student to complete their degree on time. If courses are not available in an undergraduate’s four years of schooling, the university will pay for the extra credits.
 

The university’s Carlson School of Management, College of Education and Human Development, and law school are each ranked highly. The public research university begins to engage students at the undergraduate level. Some university applicants will even be guaranteed the opportunity to research when they receive their acceptance letters, and undergraduate researchers are paid for their work. For an off-campus experience, Gophers can study at one of 200 other schools in U.S. and Canada through the National Student Exchange program, or can venture abroad with the help of the university’s large global study program. Notable alumni of the University of Minnesota include former U.S. Vice Presidents Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale, pianist Yanni, and former CNN anchor Rick Sanchez.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to the benefit of the state, the nation and the world. The University's mission, carried out on multiple campuses and throughout the state, is threefold. Generate and preserve knowledge, understanding, and creativity by conducting high-quality research, scholarship, and artistic activity that benefit students, scholars, and communities across the state, the nation, and the world. Share that knowledge, understanding, and creativity by providing a broad range of educational programs in a strong and diverse community of learners and teachers, and prepare graduate, professional, and undergraduate students, as well as non-degree seeking students interested in continuing education and lifelong learning, for active roles in a multiracial and multicultural world. Extend, apply, and exchange knowledge between the University and society by applying scholarly expertise to community problems, by helping organizations and individuals respond to their changing environments, and by making the knowledge and resources created and preserved at the University accessible to the citizens of the state, the nation, and the world. In all its activities, the University strives to sustain an open exchange of ideas in an environment that embodies the values of academic freedom, responsibility, integrity, and cooperation; that provides an atmosphere of mutual respect, free from racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and intolerance; that assists individuals, institutions, and communities in responding to a continuously changing world; that is conscious of and responsive to the needs of the many communities it is committed to serving; that creates and supports the partnerships with the University, with other educational systems and institutions, and with communities to achieve common goals; and that inspires, sets high expectations for, and empowers the individuals within its community.

General Information

School type public, coed college
Year founded 1851
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar semester
Setting urban
2010 Endowment $2,183,731,908

Applying

When applying to University of Minnesota--Twin Cities, it's important to note the application deadline is rolling. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due December 15. The application fee at University of Minnesota--Twin Cities is $45. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 47.8 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity more selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate 48%
Application deadline rolling
SAT/ACT scores must be received by December 15

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at University of Minnesota--Twin Cities is 21:1, and the school has 38.1 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Minnesota--Twin Cities include: Social Sciences; Engineering; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; and English Language and Literature/Letters. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 88.8 percent.

Class sizes
Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio 21:1
4-year graduation rate 46% - Medium
Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates
Social Sciences 12%
Engineering 11%
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 9%
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 9%
English Language and Literature/Letters 6%

More About Academic Life

Student Life

University of Minnesota--Twin Cities has a total undergraduate enrollment of 33,607, with a gender distribution of 47.8 percent male students and 52.2 percent female students. 21.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 79.0 percent of students live off campus. University of Minnesota--Twin Cities is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at University of Minnesota--Twin Cities.

Total enrollment 51,721
Student gender distribution
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity N/A
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority N/A
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

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Campus Info & Services

University of Minnesota--Twin Cities offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. University of Minnesota--Twin Cities also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of Minnesota--Twin Cities.

Students who have cars on campus N/A
Health insurance offered Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer No

More About Campus Info & Services

Paying for School

At University of Minnesota--Twin Cities, 55.1 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $7,698.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees $13,022 (2011-12)
Out-of-state tuition and fees $18,022 (2011-12)
Room and board $7,932 (2011-12) - Medium
Financial aid statistics
Financial aid statistics

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Student Reviews

The University of Minnesota is a perfect size. Yes, it is the third largest school in the country but the teachers, administration, and orientation officers do a wonderful job of encouraging students to get involved and to be active in their college community. If you are not involved in student groups or rec activities, I could see how one would feel they were just a number, but for me, I enjoy that I don't know most of the people that go to my school. The school pride is not what I expected at a large university. I feel as if Madison does a better job at school spirit then we do at most every sport, especially football. Once we get the stadium on campus, I believe that will change. The things to do around or on campus is vital to a students experience at that school. Sure, academics is what you are going to school for, but without a social life with social activies it can become draining. The U of M has thousands of things to do everynight of the week from free movies, to huge shopping trips at the major target dowtown, two huge cities fifteen minutes away, three malls within 10 minutes including the biggest one in American! There are so many places to explore, resteraunts to try, music to listen to, and clubs to dance in. The variety of activies in and around campus is a huge turn on to any student. The weather is a little harsh but the U's unusual underground tunnel system called the gopher way makes the campus weather friendly which I used more than I expected. The gopher way is a wonderful name for that system.

Brian Sophomore

The best thing about UMN is the endless help and availability of opportunities. It is amazing how many people are there to help you succeed and what opportunities can arise. I also enjoy the amount of people because you get to meet so many different people and open yourself up to new experiences.

Jamie Sophomore

I love the size of the University of Minnesota. For me it is perfect. There are so many places to go and things to do. It is never dull. There are three parts to the university. The West bank is for business, law and the arts. It has a nifty little museum full of the art of traveling artists as well as exhibitions by students. It's pretty nice. The st.paul campus is a quite a distance from the rest of campus and is most easily accessible by bus. It's like a whole other world there. This is where the school of design is, as well as all the animal and most of the biology classes are. It's so quiet and peaceful here. While the East and West bank are full of hustle and bustle the st. paul campus is very calm and laid back. The gym on this campus has a rock climbing wall that is lots of fun. The East bank which is my favorite holds most of the restaurants and frat row. University ave. is almost only fraternities for quite a ways. Coffman Union is on this bank and there are protests, demonstrations and performances all the time in front of it. Most of the student organizations have a room in this building. I think it's safe to say that everyone will have at least one course on this bank. Almost all the buildings are connected underground by tunnels. These are awesome for the wintertime so you never have to go above ground. Gophers after Dark are activities run by students at Coffman that are always a lot of fun. Nearby restaurants will bring in free food, bowling will be free, there are hypnotists and other performers usually. My favorite time was when they had giant inflatables and my friend and I had a gladiator match. We stood on pedestals and tried to knock each other off. I lost but made myself feel better by getting a free air brush tattoo. If you want to get away from all the study and work of college the city is just a couple minutes away by bus. The metrodome is very close to the city and here you can see the Gophers though it will be far more amazing when they play at the new stadium being built on campus. There are also tons of amazing clubs, malls, museums and restaurants downtown. The U of M is next to Minneapolis and anyone with common sense will not travel alone after dark. There have been muggings and sexual assault reported to people who do. But there are campus escorts available for anyone needing to get anywhere and neither I nor my friends have ever had a problem with that. The U of M is full of so many different types of people. Different races and religions and they are everywhere, talking about themselves, drinking coffee and studying just like all the other students. At the U of M it's a gurantee that you'll find someone who your share interests and perspectives on if you just look.

Liela Sophomore

More student reviews

* Overview details based on 2010 data

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