University of Minnesota Duluth: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Northfield, Minnesota · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026

Acceptance rate
52%
7,310 applicants
Avg SAT
1380
Mid 50: 1320–1440
In-state tuition
$56,970
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$22,752
after aid, what families pay

University of Minnesota Duluth is a private institution located in Northfield, Minnesota with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Minnesota Duluth admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 52%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1373 and an ACT composite around 31. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,752 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether University of Minnesota Duluth is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.

What GPA does my child need for University of Minnesota Duluth?

University of Minnesota Duluth admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
14.0%
3.75–3.99
48.0%
3.50–3.74
20.0%
3.25–3.49
11.0%
3.00–3.24
5.0%
2.50–2.99
2.0%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Minnesota Duluth.

What does University of Minnesota Duluth weight in admissions?

University of Minnesota Duluth reports the following factor importance in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). These are the criteria the admissions committee weighs when reviewing applications.

Very Important3 factors
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay
Important7 factors
  • Class rank
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities
  • Level of applicant's interest
Considered7 factors
  • Standardized test scores
  • First generation status
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience
Not Considered1 factor
  • Alumni/ae relation

SAT and ACT scores University of Minnesota Duluth typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 620–730, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentile1320
50th percentile1380
75th percentile1440
% submitting SAT13%
ACT Composite
25th percentile28
50th percentile30
75th percentile32
% submitting ACT30%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class40%
Top 25% of class73%
Top 50% of class94%
% submitting class rank33%

How much does University of Minnesota Duluth actually cost?

Published tuition is $56,970 for in-state students and $56,970 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,000 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $22,752 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 20% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.

In-state tuition$65,700
Room and board$15,000
Average net price (after aid)$22,752
Application fee

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Minnesota Duluth

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/15
Notification date10-Mar
Reply deadlineMay 1
Early admission
Offers Early ActionYes

Will my child graduate from University of Minnesota Duluth?

Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.

Freshman retention
93.6%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
83.2%
finished within 6 years

Other colleges in Minnesota parents ask about

How parents track GPA toward selective schools like University of Minnesota Duluth

Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like University of Minnesota Duluth recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.

Common questions parents ask about University of Minnesota Duluth

What GPA do I need for University of Minnesota Duluth?

University of Minnesota Duluth admits students with a wide GPA range, but most successful applicants present an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher with a college-prep curriculum.

What SAT or ACT score does University of Minnesota Duluth typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 620–730, with an EBRW midpoint near 670. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32.

How much does University of Minnesota Duluth actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Minnesota Duluth after grants and scholarships is $22,752 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.

Is University of Minnesota Duluth realistic for my child?

Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, University of Minnesota Duluth is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.

Data sourced from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Minnesota Duluth, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Solyo extracts admissions data from official Common Data Set publications and refreshes it annually.