University of Minnesota

No — Minnesota is one of the more accessible flagships, admitting about 78.9% of applicants in the most recent cycle. It offered admission to roughly 34,600 of the nearly 43,900 students who applied and enrolled about 7,180 first-years, so a strong, rigorous transcript puts most applicants in good shape.

Minnesota no longer publishes an average high school GPA, but academic GPA, class rank, and the rigor of your course load are all weighed as very important factors. Among the roughly 40% of enrolled first-years who reported a rank, about 97% finished in the top half of their class and 71% in the top quarter — so a challenging, high-performing transcript matters most.

Out-of-state applicants actually fare better at Minnesota than in-state residents, which is unusual for a public flagship. In the most recent cycle, Minnesota admitted 85.3% of out-of-state applicants (22,386 of 26,246) compared with 63.6% of Minnesota residents (6,222 of 9,780). International applicants were admitted at 76.4% (6,040 of 7,903). State residency and geographical residence are each listed only as considered factors in the review, which helps explain why the in-state advantage that appears at most public universities is absent here.

Yes — a 1400 sits right in the competitive range for Minnesota, between the 50th percentile of 1390 and the 75th of 1460. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years who submitted scores earned 1310–1460 on the SAT and 26–32 on the ACT, with nearly half of submitters scoring 1400 or above.

No — Minnesota is test-optional, and most enrolled students did not submit scores. Only about 7% sent an SAT and 34% an ACT; standardized test scores are weighed as a considered factor rather than a required one, so applicants who don't submit still receive full review.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $18,482 for Minnesota residents and $41,368 for out-of-state students. Roughly 44% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average need-based package near $19,475, and Minnesota meets about 69% of demonstrated need on average.

The biological and life sciences are the single largest degree area at about 12% of bachelor's degrees, followed closely by business, computer science, and engineering — each around 11%. Liberal arts and the social sciences together account for the largest share of enrolled students, reflecting the breadth of a large comprehensive flagship.

Yes, though it sits below academics in the review. Minnesota weighs the rigor of your record, class rank, and GPA as very important, while the application essay, recommendations, and extracurriculars are each a considered factor. With grades carrying the most weight, a clear, specific essay is one of the few places to add context beyond your transcript.

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