University of Minnesota--Twin Cities is a public institution that was founded in 1851. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,812, 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 2013 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...
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General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1851 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | urban |
| 2011 Endowment | $2,441,712,089 |
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 46.6 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 46.6% |
| Application deadline | rolling |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | December 15 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of Minnesota--Twin Cities is 21:1, and the school has 40.7 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 Psychology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 89.2 percent.
Student Life
University of Minnesota--Twin Cities has a total undergraduate enrollment of 34,812, with a gender distribution of 48.2 percent male students and 51.8 percent female students. At this school, 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.
| Total enrollment | 52,557 |
| Student gender distribution | |
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| 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 |
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 |
Paying for School
At University of Minnesota--Twin Cities, 53.5 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $8,087.
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) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
