University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Learn about the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in Minneapolis. Read about its admission info, financial aid, and degree programs to make an informed education decision.

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About the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Founded in 1851, the University of Minnesota (U of M) is a public university made up of five campuses located across the state. A total of about 69,000 students are enrolled across all locations, with about 53,000 of them enrolled on the Twin Cities campus. Located in the heart of the Minneapolis - St. Paul metropolitan area, the school is one of the largest public research universities in the country. The campus incorporates four areas, including the East Bank, the West Bank, Como and St. Paul. Students can benefit from partnerships between the university and many health, corporate, government, and public organizations.

U of M has one of the largest public arts programs in the U.S. with ten museums and galleries located on campus. A world-class museum is on the East Bank; the West Bank is a hub for dance, theatre, and music; and the St. Paul campus has a floating showboat theatre on the Mississippi River. In addition to the arts, the school has a very successful intercollegiate athletic department. The university is part of the Big Ten Conference and is home to 12 women's and 11 men's varsity teams. Its mascot is Goldy Gopher.

Academics

The school's prestigious faculty and student body includes 20 Nobel Laureates, 86 Guggenheim Fellows, and 2 MacArthur 'Geniuses'. The school offers more than 130 programs awarded through 19 colleges, some of which include the Center for Allied Health Programs; the College of Biological Sciences; the College of Education and Human Development; the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; and the Carlson School of Management. Nearly all of the colleges offer research opportunities.

In the 2010-2011 school year, the U of M awarded 12,102 degrees. Of those, 7,031 were bachelor's, 3,379 were master's, and 1,692 were doctoral degrees. The most commonly awarded bachelor's degrees were in the social sciences, a category that encompasses areas like political science, anthropology, economics, and criminology. Engineering degrees were the second most commonly awarded bachelor's degrees, and degrees in business, management, marketing, and related areas were the third most commonly awarded. The school also offers graduate-level professional degrees in medicine, dentistry, law, business administration, and veterinary science.

Admissions

Admission to the school is competitive, with only 47% of applicants admitted in fall 2011. Applicants are notified of acceptance by mid-April, and fall semester starts in early September. Applicants are primarily evaluated based on high school coursework, class rank, GPA, and standardized test scores. Other factors that may be considered include enrollment in AP or honors classes, extenuating personal circumstances, military service, outstanding achievements or talents, or contribution to the school's diversity.

Freshmen may be admitted to seven of the 19 colleges, including the College of Biological Sciences; College of Design; College of Education & Human Development; College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences; College of Liberal Arts; Carlson School of Management; and College of Science and Engineering. Additionally, there are five upper-division colleges offering undergraduate programs. Admission to these colleges requires the completion of 1-2 years of college coursework.

In spring 2012, the school enrolled nearly 29,000 undergraduate students, of which 73% were Caucasian, nine percent were Asian, five percent were black, two-and-a-half percent were Hispanic, and one percent were American Indian. Additionally, eight percent of the student body were international students.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition and fees for full-time students for the 2012-2013 academic year were $13,524 for students residing in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Manitoba, and $18,774 for nonresidents. Costs may vary slightly by school though; for example, students enrolled in the Carlson School of Management pay an additional $500. There's no charge for credits over 13, and students typically take 15-16 credits per semester. The cost to live on campus, including room and board for double occupancy and 14 meals per week, is about $8,000. The estimated cost for books and supplies is about $1,000 per year, and other expenses, including transportation, are estimated at $2,194.

U of M offers a 4-year graduation guarantee and financial aid packages that cover the cost of attending the school. Financial aid packages are based on information students provide through their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications and is awarded in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities, and loans. All students, regardless of financial need, can apply for merit-based scholarships and part-time jobs.

U OF M - TWIN CITIES QUICK FACTS
School Type	Public, 4-year**
Degrees Offered	Certificate programs, bachelor's, master's, doctorates**
Religious Affiliation	None**
Academic Calendar	Semester*
School Setting	Large city**
Student Body	Over 34,800 undergraduates, more than 17,700 graduate students in fall 2011**
Student Housing	Students can select from three apartment buildings and eight residence halls, three of which are exclusively for freshmen; freshmen who apply by May 1 are guaranteed housing*
ACADEMICS
Schools and Programs	19 colleges and schools; over 130 majors*
Student-Faculty Ratio	21 to 1**
Most Popular Fields of Study by Degree Level (Number of Recipients)	In 2010-2011: Bachelor's: Psychology, General (379); Master's: Business Administration and Management, General (729); PhDs: Law (262)**
Undergraduate Graduation Rates	47% in four years; 70% in six years**
ADMISSIONS
Admission Rate	47% in 2011**
Entering Class Size	5,413 in 2011**
First-Year Retention Rates	90% for full-time and 67% for part-time students**
Average SAT and ACT Scores of Admitted Students	SAT composite score range of 1168-1385 (varied by college) in 2012, ACT composite score range of 24.7-30.6 (varied by college) in 2012*
Application Due Date	December 15, 2012 is the priority deadline for fall 2013*
Decision Notification Date	By April 12th for priority applicants in 2012
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition	2012-2013 costs: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Manitoba residents: $13,524; nonresidents: $18,774 (cost per year, including general fees)*
Financial Aid Sources Available (Percent of Undergraduate Students Receiving it)	In 2010-2011: Federal grants (23%), Pell grants (23%), other federal grants (23%), state and local grants or scholarships (65%), institutional grants or scholarships (59%), federal loans (52%)**
Percent of Students Receiving Some Form of Aid	93% in 2010-2011**