University of Minnesota-Twin Cities: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Minneapolis, Minnesota · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-optional
- Early Action
- 43,929
- Applicants
- 34,648
- Admitted79%
- 7,180
- Enrolled
- 21%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access79% admittedRanked #59 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #26 (tie), Business Programs #20 (tie), Computer Science #34 (tie), Nursing #9 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
Is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places University of Minnesota-Twin Cities against it in about a minute. No account needed.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is a public university in Minneapolis, Minnesota that admits about 79% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $16,778 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer Science, Psychology, General and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 85% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 6.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 79%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1390 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $16,778 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about University of Minnesota-Twin Cities right now
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public land-grant research university spread across Minneapolis and Saint Paul and the flagship of the University of Minnesota System. With roughly 54,000 students across 19 colleges and schools, Minnesota is a Big Ten member, an Association of American Universities member, and one of the most comprehensive flagship public universities in the country. Distinctive strengths include the Carlson School of Management, the College of Science and Engineering, and the Medical School, which is closely tied to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic for clinical training and research. Parents should know that admission is by college, meaning a student's intended major affects the review process; programs like the Carlson School and computer science within the College of Science and Engineering are notably more selective than the university's overall acceptance rate suggests. Minnesota remains test-optional for most first-year applicants in recent cycles while still using rigor of high school coursework and class rank as central factors. The university's Promise Plus Scholarship and the U Promise programs, expanded in 2024, increased grant aid for qualifying in-state students from families below defined income thresholds, an important development for Minnesota residents weighing public flagship costs. Recent campus news of interest to families includes ongoing investments in the new Bee and Pollinator Research Lab and continued expansion of NIL and athletics resources within the Big Ten's new media-rights era.
What GPA does my child need for University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with the other schools on your list
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What does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities weight in admissions?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
3- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Academic GPA
Considered
11- Standardized test scores
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation status
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Not Considered
4- Interview
- Alumni/ae relation
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores University of Minnesota-Twin Cities typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 685. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–31. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.
| 25th percentile | 1310 |
| 50th percentile | 1390 |
| 75th percentile | 1460 |
| % submitting SAT | 7.34% |
| 25th percentile | 26 |
| 50th percentile | 29 |
| 75th percentile | 32 |
| % submitting ACT | 33.58% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • ACT/SAT not required for freshman applicants through fall 2027; policy for fall 2028 onward not stated on the page.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
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 class | 37.69% |
| Top 25% of class | 71.22% |
| Top 50% of class | 96.82% |
| % submitting class rank | 39.87% |
How much does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities actually cost?
Published tuition is $17,214 for in-state students and $38,362 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,856 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $16,778 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 18% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $16,778 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 69% |
| Average need-based grant | $17,637 |
| Average merit award, no financial need953 first-year students received one | $6,517 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 48% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $31,793 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $55 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
| Regular deadline | 1/1 |
| Notification date | We start to review and release decisions in September of the Fall prior to enrollment. Decisions are released weekly. |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
These predict outcomes at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer Science, Psychology, General and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. Across all programs, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities confers roughly 2,979 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer Science program report a median income of about $111,199 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 533 | $111,199 |
| Psychology, General | 523 | $57,656 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 477 | $66,786 |
| Biology, General | 340 | $70,348 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 328 | $102,887 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 287 | $68,815 |
| Economics | 281 | $83,564 |
| Marketing | 210 | $90,462 |
Is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities disclosed 201 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 6.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 28 violent offenses and 34 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
About 20% of undergraduates at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Minnesota parents ask about
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Next steps for University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Common questions parents ask about University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
What GPA do I need for University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 660–770, with an EBRW midpoint near 685. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 26–31.
How much does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities after grants and scholarships is $16,778 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $17,214 and $38,362 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities realistic for my child?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities admits 79% of applicants, so 660–770 SAT Math is target range and below 660 is a reach. Then check the $16,778 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities accepts about 79% of applicants out of roughly 43,929 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities test-optional?
Yes. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
About 85% of students at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities graduate within six years, and 74% finish in four years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Minnesota-Twin Cities look for in applicants?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities rates course rigor, class rank and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What are the most popular majors at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities by annual graduates are Computer Science, Psychology, General and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. The school awards about 2,979 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Minnesota-Twin Cities safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities reported 201 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 6.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
At University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, 20% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers