What SAT score is good for the University of Minnesota?

The official Fall 2026 admitted-student profile lists an overall middle 50% SAT range of about 1350 to 1490. The 2025-2026 CDS enrolled-student score submitter range was 1310 to 1460. Submit SAT only if it strengthens your application.

What ACT score is good for the University of Minnesota?

The official Fall 2026 admitted-student profile lists an overall middle 50% ACT range of about 27 to 33. The 2025-2026 CDS enrolled-student score submitter range was 26 to 32. Submit ACT only if it improves your academic profile.

What does the University of Minnesota require to apply?

UMN Twin Cities freshman applicants complete the Common Application, pay the $55 application fee or receive a waiver, and self-report high school courses and grades using the Common App Courses and Grades section. ACT/SAT, essay, recommendations and transcript are not required for admission.

Does the University of Minnesota require English proficiency?

English proficiency is required for international students on temporary visas except those from exempt countries, and for some non-international students whose first language is not English or who have studied in the United States for fewer than four years by enrollment.

How can I improve my University of Minnesota application?

Improve your UMN application by choosing the right freshman-admitting college, taking rigorous courses through senior year, self-reporting grades carefully, using test optional wisely, applying by Early Action, completing optional short answers or recommendations only when they add useful context, and checking Application Tracker after submission.

University of Minnesota Acceptance Rate 2026: GPA, SAT & Admissions Guide University of Minnesota Acceptance Rate 2026: GPA, SAT & Admissions Guide

Q: What is the University of Minnesota acceptance rate for 2026?

For 2026 planning, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities acceptance rate is about 78.9%, based on the 2025-2026 Common Data Set showing 34,648 admitted students from 43,929 first-year applicants.

Q: Is the University of Minnesota Twin Cities hard to get into?

UMN Twin Cities is moderately selective overall. A 78.9% admit rate means many prepared students are admitted, but admission is more competitive for colleges such as Carlson, Biological Sciences, Science and Engineering, and Nursing.

Q: What GPA do you need for the University of Minnesota?

UMN does not publish one GPA cutoff. The official Fall 2026 admitted-student profile shows an overall middle 50% unweighted high school GPA range of about 3.51 to 3.96, with higher ranges for some colleges such as Nursing, Biological Sciences, Carlson, and Science and Engineering.

Q: Is the University of Minnesota test optional for 2026 applicants?

Yes. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities says freshman applicants through the fall 2027 term are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores. Students with and without scores receive full consideration for admission, scholarships and the Honors Program.

Q: What are the University of Minnesota freshman application deadlines?

UMN Twin Cities lists Early Action I as November 1 with decision by January 31, Early Action II as December 1 with decision by February 28, and Regular Deadline as January 1 with decision by March 31. Nursing applicants must apply by November 1.

🎓 University of Minnesota acceptance rate 2026 guide

University of Minnesota Acceptance Rate 2026: 78.9% Admit Rate, GPA, SAT, ACT & Admissions Guide

78.9%

Direct answer: University of Minnesota Twin Cities acceptance rate for 2026 planning is about 78.9%. The 2025–2026 Twin Cities Common Data Set reports 43,929 first-year applicants, 34,648 admitted students and 7,180 enrolled students.

UMN Twin Cities is moderately selective overall, but your real chance depends heavily on the college you choose. Carlson, Science and Engineering, Biological Sciences and Nursing are usually more competitive than the overall admit rate suggests.

This guide gives the useful answers first: acceptance rate, GPA/SAT/ACT ranges, test-optional policy, college-by-college profile, application deadlines, what is required, what is optional, English proficiency, cost, scholarships and the checklist before submitting.

📊 Acceptance rate 📚 GPA & SAT/ACT 📅 Deadlines ✅ Checklist

78.9% Acceptance rate

34,648 admits from 43,929 first-year applicants in the latest Twin Cities CDS cycle.

3.51–3.96 Admitted GPA range

Overall middle 50% unweighted GPA range for Fall 2026 admitted freshmen.

1350–1490 Admitted SAT range

Overall middle 50% SAT range among Fall 2026 admitted score submitters.

27–33 Admitted ACT range

Overall middle 50% ACT range among Fall 2026 admitted score submitters.

Quick navigation for UMN applicants

📊 Acceptance rate and yield 📚 GPA, SAT and ACT 🏫 College-by-college difficulty 📅 EA I, EA II and Regular dates 📄 Required materials 🧠 Holistic review factors 💰 Cost and scholarships ❓ 10 FAQs

University of Minnesota acceptance rate 2026: answer first

Admissions number	Latest Twin Cities CDS figure	What it means for applicants
Total first-year applicants	43,929	UMN receives a very large applicant pool, so complete and accurate self-reported grades matter.
Total admitted	34,648	Admission is realistic for prepared applicants, but selectivity changes by college.
Acceptance rate	78.9%	Moderately selective overall; not automatic, especially for competitive colleges.
Total enrolled	7,180	Large freshman class spread across multiple freshman-admitting colleges.
Estimated yield	20.7%	Many admitted students compare UMN with other Big Ten, flagship and regional universities.

Simple meaning: UMN Twin Cities is accessible for many strong students, but you should not use only the 78.9% number. Your target college, academic record and senior-year rigor can make the process feel much more selective.

University of Minnesota GPA, SAT and ACT: what is competitive?

GPA answer

No single cutoff. UMN’s Fall 2026 admitted profile shows an overall middle 50% unweighted GPA range of 3.51–3.96.

SAT answer

Admitted middle 50% SAT: 1350–1490. The enrolled-score-submitter CDS range was 1310–1460.

ACT answer

Admitted middle 50% ACT: 27–33. The enrolled-score-submitter CDS range was 26–32.

Test optional answer

Freshman applicants through fall 2027 are not required to submit ACT or SAT. Test-optional applicants receive full admission, scholarship and Honors consideration.

Academic profile item	Official detail	Applicant strategy
Overall admitted GPA	3.51–3.96 unweighted middle 50%	Aim for strong core academic grades, especially in courses linked to your intended college.
Overall admitted rank percentile	75–95 middle 50%	If your school reports rank, strong rank helps. If not, rigor and grades carry more weight.
Overall admitted SAT	1350–1490 middle 50%	Submit if it supports your readiness. Do not submit a score that weakens a strong transcript.
Overall admitted ACT	27–33 middle 50%	Submit if it is a strength or supports a competitive college choice.
CDS enrolled SAT submitters	1310 \| 1390 \| 1460	Useful as enrolled-student context, but admitted profiles are better for target planning.
CDS enrolled ACT submitters	26 \| 29 \| 32	Many students enrolled without scores, so testing is not the only path.
Test submission share	SAT: 7.34%; ACT: 33.58% of enrolled first-year students	Test optional is real. Use the score only if it improves your file.

Do not confuse “not required” with “never useful.” A strong score can help show readiness, but UMN says all applications with and without scores are read in full for admission, scholarships and Honors.

UMN admission difficulty by college: where the overall rate can mislead

UMN admits students directly to freshman-admitting colleges. Your selected college matters because each college has different academic demand and space.

Freshman-admitting college	Middle 50% unweighted GPA	Middle 50% ACT	Middle 50% SAT
Carlson School of Management	3.67–3.97	28–32	1350–1470
College of Biological Sciences	3.72–4.00	28–33	1360–1490
College of Science and Engineering	3.63–4.00	29–34	1390–1510
School of Nursing	3.80–4.00	27–31	1340–1450
College of Liberal Arts	3.37–3.88	26–32	1330–1470
CFANS	3.39–3.91	26–32	1280–1460

Best strategy: Pick a college that matches your transcript. If you choose CSE, Carlson, CBS or Nursing, your math/science/core academic record should make that choice believable.

University of Minnesota freshman application deadlines

Application plan	Complete application deadline	Decision timing	Best for…
Early Action I	November 1	Decision by January 31	Students who want the earliest UMN decision and scholarship/Honors consideration timing.
School of Nursing freshman applicants	November 1	Rolling, no later than December 15	Nursing applicants; do not wait for EA II or Regular Deadline.
Early Action II	December 1	Decision by February 28	Students who need more time than EA I but still want an earlier decision.
Regular Deadline	January 1	Decision by March 31	Students comparing several colleges or finalizing academic information.
Final official documents after admission	July 1	Required before enrollment	Admitted students must submit final transcript and official scores if used.

After applying: UMN says students usually receive an acknowledgement within two weeks and missing-item notices within four weeks. Use Application Tracker instead of guessing.

University of Minnesota application requirements: what is actually required?

Common Application $55 application fee Automatic fee waiver if eligible Courses and Grades self-report ACT/SAT not required through fall 2027 Essay not required Recommendation not required Transcript not required for admission English proficiency if required Application Tracker after submission Final official transcript by July 1 Official score by July 1 if used

Item	UMN detail	Common mistake
Application form	Freshman applicants use the Common Application.	Waiting until deadline day and rushing college selection.
Application fee	$55, with automatic fee waiver if answers qualify.	Thinking the application is complete before fee/waiver is processed.
Academic record	Use Common App Courses and Grades to self-report high school transcript.	Skipping Courses and Grades, which can trigger extra steps through STARS.
ACT/SAT	Not required through fall 2027 admission.	Choosing score review without checking whether the score helps.
Essay	Not required for admission.	Ignoring optional short-answer opportunities when context would help.
Recommendation	Not required for admission.	Sending a generic letter instead of one with specific academic insight.
Transcript	Not required for admission, but final official documents are due after admission.	Self-reporting incorrectly; final official transcript must match.

Accuracy warning: UMN verifies final official documents after admission. Do not inflate grades, course levels or test scores in self-reporting.

How UMN reviews applications: what matters most

UMN says the strongest consideration is the high school record. The review also considers context factors that show what you may contribute to the campus community.

Review factor	What UMN considers	How to strengthen it
Coursework through graduation	Admitted students typically exceed high school course requirements.	Keep senior-year courses strong, especially math/science for technical colleges.
Grades in academic coursework	Core academic performance is central.	Protect grades in English, math, science, social science and world language.
Class rank / GPA	Considered when available.	Do not worry if your school does not rank; course rigor and grades still matter.
Rigor	Honors, AP, IB, A-Level and college-level courses are considered when available.	Take advanced courses that match your intended college.
ACT/SAT if provided	Optional through fall 2027, but considered if you choose score review.	Submit only when your score supports your college/major readiness.
Academic interests	UMN reviews preparation related to the major/college you seek.	Use activities, coursework and optional responses to connect to your academic path.
Context factors	Achievement, service, family/job responsibility, first-generation status and barriers overcome may be considered.	Use optional information only when it adds real context or proof.

International and English-proficiency applicants

Requirement	UMN detail	Applicant action
Who may need English proficiency?	International temporary-visa students except exempt-country applicants, plus some non-international students whose first language is not English or who studied in the U.S. fewer than four years.	Check Application Tracker and English Proficiency page early.
TOEFL iBT	Minimum overall 4.5; writing subscore 4.5. UMN test code: 6874.	UMN does not accept TOEFL MyBest Scores for minimum total score.
IELTS Academic	Overall 6.5; writing 6.5.	Submit results before the application can be complete.
PTE Academic	Overall 59; writing 59.	Check test validity and sending process.
Duolingo	Overall 120; writing 120.	Useful for applicants who need a faster testing option.
Conditional admission	Limited fall-term conditional admission may be offered to academically qualified international freshmen needing intensive English.	Submit a complete freshman application by the normal deadline.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities cost of attendance 2026–2027

Cost item	Resident / reciprocity on campus	Non-resident on campus
Tuition & fees	$19,312	$43,348
Books & supplies	$1,000	$1,000
Housing & food	$15,552	$15,552
Transportation	$200	$1,700
Personal / miscellaneous	$2,000	$2,000
Loan fee	$162	$162
Total estimated cost	$38,226	$63,762
CSOM / CSE surcharge	+$3,100	+$3,100
Total with CSOM/CSE surcharge	$41,326	$66,862

Who counts as resident here?

The UMN cost table groups Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Manitoba students under resident/reciprocity pricing notes.

Scholarship review

Freshman applicants who apply by the regular deadline are automatically considered for many merit-based awards.

National Merit

UMN lists a National Merit scholarship option for eligible finalists who list UMN Twin Cities as first-choice by the required deadline.

International students

Global Excellence Scholarships are competitive merit awards for international freshmen and transfers, but UMN does not offer a full-tuition waiver for international students.

University of Minnesota application checklist: scan before submitting

Start with the 78.9% reality UMN is accessible overall, but Carlson, CSE, CBS and Nursing can be much more competitive.

Choose your freshman-admitting college carefully Your GPA, coursework and academic interests should fit the college you select.

Complete Common App Courses and Grades Self-report all high school courses and grades accurately.

Make the ACT/SAT choice once UMN says the score-consideration choice is final after submission except limited test-access/cancellation situations.

Use optional content only when it helps Essay, recommendations and additional information are not required. Add them if they provide specific academic or context value.

Apply by EA I if possible November 1 gives the earliest decision timing. Nursing applicants must apply by November 1.

Watch Application Tracker Missing items appear there, and admission decisions are posted there.

Send final official documents after admission Final transcript and official score reports, if used, are due by July 1.

Common mistakes that hurt UMN applicants

Using only the overall rate

78.9% is the university-wide answer, but college-level selectivity can be different.

Choosing the wrong college

Your first-choice college should match your grades, rigor and academic preparation.

Incorrect self-reported grades

UMN verifies final official documents. Self-reporting mistakes can create enrollment problems later.

Submitting weak scores

Test optional means you can protect a strong transcript if the score does not help.

Ignoring senior year

UMN expects students to continue academic coursework and maintain strong performance through graduation.

Missing English-proficiency rules

Some applicants must submit English results even if they are not international temporary-visa students.

Official University of Minnesota links and sources

The key details are included above. Use these official pages to confirm requirements, dates, costs and policies before submitting.

UMN Twin Cities Common Data Set

Official source for applicants, admits, enrolled students, score ranges, fees and institutional data.

Open Common Data Set page

Academic Profile by College

Official Fall 2026 admitted GPA, rank, ACT and SAT ranges by freshman-admitting college.

Open academic profile

Freshman Application Checklist

Common App, fee, self-reported grades, deadlines, materials and Application Tracker information.

Open freshman checklist

ACT / SAT Information

Official test-optional policy through fall 2027, score-choice rules and English-proficiency information.

Open ACT/SAT page

Cost of Attendance

2026–2027 tuition, fees, housing, food and total estimated cost by residency status.

Open cost page

Scholarships

Merit scholarship review, university-wide awards and freshman scholarship information.

Open scholarships page

FAQs about University of Minnesota acceptance rate 2026

What is the University of Minnesota acceptance rate for 2026?

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities acceptance rate is about 78.9% for 2026 planning, based on 34,648 admits from 43,929 first-year applicants in the 2025–2026 Twin Cities Common Data Set.

Is the University of Minnesota Twin Cities hard to get into?

UMN Twin Cities is moderately selective overall. Admission can be more competitive for Carlson, CSE, Biological Sciences, Nursing and other space-limited programs.

What GPA do you need for the University of Minnesota?

There is no single GPA cutoff. The official Fall 2026 admitted profile lists an overall middle 50% unweighted GPA range of 3.51–3.96.

What SAT score is good for UMN Twin Cities?

The official admitted profile lists an overall middle 50% SAT range of 1350–1490. The CDS enrolled score-submitter range was 1310–1460.

What ACT score is good for UMN Twin Cities?

The official admitted profile lists an overall middle 50% ACT range of 27–33. The CDS enrolled score-submitter range was 26–32.

Is UMN test optional?

Yes. Freshman applicants through fall 2027 are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores. Students with and without scores receive full consideration for admission, scholarships and Honors.

What are the UMN application deadlines?

Early Action I is Nov. 1 with decision by Jan. 31, Early Action II is Dec. 1 with decision by Feb. 28, and Regular Deadline is Jan. 1 with decision by Mar. 31. Nursing applicants must apply by Nov. 1.

What does UMN require for freshman admission?

UMN requires the Common Application, $55 fee or waiver, and self-reported high school courses and grades. ACT/SAT, essay, recommendation and transcript are not required for admission.

Does UMN require English proficiency?

English proficiency is required for many international applicants and some non-international applicants whose first language is not English or who studied in the U.S. fewer than four years by enrollment.

How can I improve my UMN application?

Choose the right college, keep senior-year rigor, self-report grades accurately, use test optional wisely, apply by Early Action, add optional materials only when useful, and track missing items in Application Tracker.