How to Get Into the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities: Acceptance Rate and Strategies

The University of Minnesota—Twin Cities presently has an undergraduate enrollment of about 40,000 talented students. Last year, they received roughly 14,000 applications from residents and over 20,000 from out-of-staters and international students, demonstrating the wide pull of a U of MN education. Considering that the school overall ranks in the top 25 public institutions in the country and even higher in the popular disciplines of business, nursing, computer science, and engineering, it’s no wonder that the Twin Cities campus has become a coveted landing spot for college applicants from Duluth to Denmark. With so many high-quality students hoping to become Golden Gophers, it’s important for applicants to fully understand the University of Minnesota’s acceptance rate.

Accordingly, the College Transitions team will present:

• University of Minnesota’s Class of 2028 acceptance rate (plus how to predict your chances with our free admissions calculator)
• University of Minnesota in-state vs. out-of-state acceptance rate
• SAT, ACT, class rank, and GPAs of U of MN applicants
• University of Minnesota’s admissions data by college
• Admissions trends from the UM—Twin Cities
• The demographics of current Twin Cities undergraduates
• University of Minnesota’s yield rate
• How University of Minnesota admissions officers evaluate candidates
• Tips for applying to the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities.
• How to assess whether applying to the U of MN is even worth the $55 application fee (for you)

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University of Minnesota—Twin Cities Acceptance Rate – Class of 2028

For the Class of 2028, the University of Minnesota received a staggering 41,496 applications. Of those Gopher-hopefuls, UM accepted 33,091 students. This translates to a University of Minnesota acceptance rate of nearly 80%.

Historical University of Minnesota acceptance rates are as follows:

University of Minnesota In-State vs. Out-of-State Acceptance Rate

It is important to note that it is slightly easier to gain acceptance to this university if you are an out-of-state resident. For the Class of 2028, the University of Minnesota’s out-of-state acceptance rate was 83% compared to an in-state rate of 75%.

What class rank do you need to get accepted to the University of Minnesota?

36% of enrolled Class of 2028 students placed in the top decile of their graduating class while 70% fell in the top quarter.

What is the minimum SAT or ACT score for the University of Minnesota?

Only about 40% of enrolled Class of 2028 students chose to submit test scores alongside their applications. Within that group, the mid-50% SAT range was 1320-1470 while the mid-50% ACT was 26-31.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities – Admissions Data by College

It is important to note that the academic standards for gaining acceptance into various colleges within the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities varies. Note that these figures are the mid-50% range for admitted students, which are typically higher than those for enrolled students:

Admissions Trends & Notes

• Based on previous years, we expect the acceptance rate to remain between 70-75%.
• Class of 2029 admitted students (different from enrolled) had an unweighted high school GPA of 3.50-3.95.
• In the year 2000, the school received just 14,467 applications; they received almost three times as many for the Class of 2028.
• According to the university, “Applicants are first considered for admission to the colleges listed in their application, in the order in which they are listed. Then, applicants are automatically considered for other U of M freshman-admitting colleges that may be a good match with their academic interests and preparation.”

Who Gets Into the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities?

Let’s look at the demographics of University of Minnesota undergraduates:

The majority of University of Minnesota Class of 2028 members hailed from Minnesota and paid in-state tuition. The breakdown was as follows:

• In-State: 65%
• Out-of-State: 28%
• International: 6.5%

Looking at ethnic identity among Class of 2028 freshmen, the breakdown was:

• Asian American: 14%
• Hispanic: 7.5%
• Black or African American: 9.7%
• International: 6.5%
• White: 53.4%

Historically, the greatest number of international students hail from the following nations:

1. China
2. South Korea
3. India
4. Vietnam
5. Saudi Arabia

The breakdown by gender of the Class of 2028 shows a greater percentage of women:

• Male: 46%
• Female: 54%

University of Minnesota’s Yield Rate

University of Minnesota’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted—was a relatively low 22%. (It should be noted that the in-state applicant yield rate is almost 45%.) To compare this school to other flagship public institutions, UT-Austin has a 49% yield, UGA comes in at 42%, and Ohio State’s is 22%.

How the University of Minnesota Rates Applicants

Three factors are rated by the University of Minnesota as being “very important” to their admissions process and those are: an applicant’s GPA, class rank, and the rigor of one’s secondary school record.

Every other factor that the U of MN factors into admissions decisions is merely “considered.” These include: standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, geographical residence, and first-generation status.

In the admissions office’s own words:

• “The strongest consideration in the decision is given to a student’s high school record. We know that COVID-19 might have changed your school’s course offerings and grading systems. Our promise to you is that we will look at the overall trend of your high school performance to understand your academic preparation.”
• “Individual circumstances are also considered as part of the overall assessment of each application. Enrolling a diverse student body—with students bringing differing experiences, talents, and perspectives to their scholarly community—is essential to achieving the development outcomes of a University of Minnesota education.”

Tips for Applying to the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities

If you plan on joining the 40,000+ University of Minnesota hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

• Through at least Fall 2027, University of Minnesota will remain test-optional.
• The University of Minnesota does not offer interviews. Therefore, the best way to personalize the admissions process is through your essays.
• U of MN also does not consider “demonstrated interest” in the admissions process. This means you will not gain an advantage by visiting campus, connecting through social media, emailing an admissions officer, etc.
• You can apply by November 1 to meet the Early Action I Deadline and by December 1 to meet the Early Action II deadline. The Regular Decision deadline is January 1.
• Students can apply via the Common App or through the Golden Gopher platform.
• There is just one supplemental essay required by the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities. The 2025-26 prompt was as follows:

“The U of M has 8 freshman-admitting colleges and more than 150 majors. Please share a few words about what you’d like to study in college, career paths that interest you, or your favorite subjects in school.” (about 150 words)

Should I Apply to the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities?

University of Minnesota students generally sport A-/B+ averages and possess average standardized test scores above the 95th percentile of all test-takers. However, if you fall below these numbers, there is still a good chance that you could gain acceptance to one of the University of Minnesota’s four other branch campuses—Crookston, Duluth, Morris, or Rochester.

University of Minnesota Acceptance Rate — Final Thoughts

All college-bound high school students should formulate an appropriate college list, containing a complement of “target” and “safety” schools. This can be done in collaboration with an admissions professional who is aware of the latest trends and strategies associated with your prospective colleges.

Ready to start building your college applications? Consider checking out the following resources:

• Should You Start College Applications in the Summer?
• What is Demonstrated Interest?
• Do Colleges Look at Social Media?
• College Fair Advice for High School Students
• How to Complete the Common App Activities List
• Common App Essay Prompts
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topic Ideas
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?