The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a major public research university situated in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, offering access to a vibrant metropolitan area. It is particularly strong in chemical engineering, psychology, and the health sciences, and ranks among the top public universities for total research expenditures.
Mascot: Golden Gopher
Notable Alumni
Bob Dylan (Nobel Prize-winning musician)•Norman Borlaug (Nobel Peace Prize, Green Revolution)•Jessica Lange (Academy Award-winning actress)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
The Twin Cities campus splits social life between Dinkytown bars and a sprawling commuter population, creating two parallel experiences — engaged residential students and a quieter commuter contingent. Greek life exists but competes with a strong club and intramural scene, and winter temperatures regularly below zero push socializing indoors from November through March. Gopher hockey games are the closest thing to a unifying social ritual.
A mix of architectural eras from Richardsonian Romanesque to Frank Gehry's Weisman Art Museum, anchored by the broad Northrup Mall and Mississippi River views. Attractive but sprawling and stylistically inconsistent, with some utilitarian sections diluting the stronger historic zones.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
The University of Minnesota invested heavily in safety, adding 1,100 digital cameras and upgrading building access systems with $8 million in state funding. UMPD operates 24/7.
Dinkytown and Marcy-Holmes saw a 49% crime decrease from 2022 to 2024, but armed robberies and thefts remain concerns in surrounding Minneapolis neighborhoods.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Weekdays year-round; select weekends in spring
Duration: ~2 hours (45-min info session + 90-min walking tour)
Choose East Bank, West Bank, or St. Paul campus tour. Themed info sessions available. Contact Visit Office at 612-625-0000 or admissions@umn.edu.
Book a TourDownload self-guided walking tours from the admissions website or use the GPSmyCity app for GPS-enabled navigation. Campus maps at campusmaps.umn.edu show buildings, parking, bus routes, and dining.
Tour ResourcesSeptember through October for beautiful fall foliage and active campus life. April through May also great with spring energy. Avoid January through February -- brutal cold (sub-zero temps) and campus feels deserted between buildings.
Visitor parking in campus ramps and meters; check pts.umn.edu for locations and rates. The free Campus Connector bus links East Bank, West Bank, and St. Paul campuses. Light rail Green Line stops at campus (East Bank and West Bank stations). MSP Airport is 15 minutes south via light rail Blue Line to Green Line transfer.
Location
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