Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Mankato, Minnesota
91.3% Acceptance Rate
Minnesota State University-Mankato — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.3%Acceptance Rate
3.37Avg GPA
1190Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$22,565Annual Cost
$56,922Grad Salary
20.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.3%
Avg GPA
3.37
Avg SAT
1190
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1150–1220
ACT Middle 50%
22–25
Avg Net Price
$18,609
Need-Based Aid
20.5% receive Pell
Minnesota State University-Mankato (MN) is a large regional university known for its wide range of professional programs and community involvement. Admissions are based on a combination of academic record and potential for success in a large campus setting. They value students who demonstrate an interest in interdisciplinary learning.
Minnesota State University-Mankato Acceptance Rate
Minnesota State University-Mankato runs an open-access admission policy. With a 91.3% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.37 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.17 – 3.36
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.92
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Minnesota State University-Mankato Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Minnesota State University-Mankato is December 15 for Spring applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 135 days left — Spring
Spring
December 15
Fall Priority
March 1
Fall Final
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Minnesota State University-Mankato GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Minnesota State University-Mankato is 3.37. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.07–3.37 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.57–3.77.Minnesota State University-Mankato GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.37 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.17 – 3.36
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.97 – 3.16
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.96
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate runs roughly 88?91% depending on source/year; Mankato is essentially open with light gatekeeping for borderline applicants via the Comprehensive Application Review.
- Automatic admission: 3.0 cumulative GPA, OR top 50% class rank, OR ACT 21+ with a 2.7 GPA minimum; test-optional overall.
- The Aviation program (Professional Flight emphasis) is AABI-accredited and FAA-certified for maximum ATP certificate time reduction, with direct pipelines into Delta Propel and Sun Country Bridge.
- No essay or letters of recommendation are required for standard first-year admission - only for the Comprehensive Application Review pathway or specific competitive majors like Law Enforcement.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Minnesota State University-Mankato
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Minnesota State University-Mankato's verified institutional data
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Minnesota State University-Mankato Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Minnesota State University-Mankato is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Minnesota State University-Mankato Without SAT or ACT?
Minnesota State University-Mankato considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
Minnesota State University-Mankato Average SAT Score: 1190
The average SAT score of admitted students at Minnesota State University-Mankato is 1190 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1190 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1220 SAT or 25 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Minnesota State University-Mankato allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1150, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Minnesota State University-Mankato. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1190 | 1150 | 1220 |
Below 1150, you're behind most admitted students; at 1220 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Minnesota State University-Mankato with a 1200 SAT?
A 1200 SAT puts you ahead of most of Minnesota State University-Mankato's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Minnesota State University-Mankato ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Minnesota State University-Mankato is 24.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 20 | 25 |
| ACT English | 22 | 20 | 24 |
| ACT Composite | 24 | 22 | 25 |
Can I get into Minnesota State University-Mankato with a 25 ACT?
A 25 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Minnesota State University-Mankato's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Minnesota State University-Mankato.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Minnesota State University-Mankato
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Minnesota State University-Mankato is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
For Aviation applicants, the university application is just step one - orientation sign-up timing decides which flight courses they get
Aviation courses at Mankato are first-come, first-served, and registration only opens during orientation sessions (held April?July 2026, with sign-up opening February 1, 2026). A student admitted in January but slow to register for orientation can lose access to the flight courses they need their first semester - this is a scheduling trap that has nothing to do with the strength of their application.
If your student doesn't hit the automatic-admission formula, point them to the Comprehensive Application Review essay - don't let them assume they're rejected
Mankato auto-admits anyone with a 3.0 GPA, OR top-50% class rank, OR a 21+ ACT paired with a 2.7 GPA. Students who fall just short of all three aren't done - they can submit a Comprehensive Application Review personal statement addressing college readiness and post-secondary plans, which most students never realize exists because it's not mentioned until after a borderline review.
Law Enforcement licensure is a second, separate admission gate after general admission
Getting into Mankato doesn't get a student into the Law Enforcement BS licensing track. That requires completing 5 of 7 lower-division core courses plus POL111 with a C or higher and a 2.6 GPA in those courses, on top of POST Board documentation and physical agility standards - students set on law enforcement should plan their first three semesters around clearing this internal gate, not just their freshman admission.
Mankato is test-optional, but the math only works in a student's favor one direction
If a student submits ACT/SAT scores, Mankato will factor them into the decision - so a student with a strong GPA but a weak test score is better off omitting scores entirely rather than assuming "test-optional" means scores are ignored once submitted.
Expert Insight:
The most consistent failure pattern is families treating the 91% acceptance rate as proof there's nothing to plan for - they skip the orientation registration date for Aviation, miss the internal GPA gate for Law Enforcement, or submit middling test scores under the mistaken belief that test-optional means scores can't hurt them once sent.
Minnesota State University-Mankato Profile
Full Name
Minnesota State University-Mankato
City
Mankato
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
56001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Minnesota State University-Mankato Degree Worth It?
At $22,565/year against a $56,922 median graduate salary, Minnesota State University-Mankato is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $66,300, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.68%.
How much does a degree from Minnesota State University-Mankato Cost?
The sticker price is $22,565/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $18,609.
20.5% of students receive a Pell Grant and 42.5% take federal loans at Minnesota State University-Mankato. File your FAFSA early and list Minnesota State University-Mankato as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Minnesota State University-Mankato Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,922. That's about 40% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Minnesota State University-Mankato. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Minnesota State University-Mankato. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Minnesota State University-Mankato. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Minnesota State University-Mankato
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota State University-Mankato Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Minnesota State University-Mankato run about $56,922 a year.
At about $22,565 a year, Minnesota State University-Mankato is on the more affordable end.
Minnesota State University-Mankato's Pell Grant rate of 20.5% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 91.3%, Minnesota State University-Mankato's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Minnesota State University-Mankato average a 3.37 GPA.
Minnesota State University-Mankato doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.07 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.97, Minnesota State University-Mankato becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Minnesota State University-Mankato — aim above 1190, ideally within the 1150–1220 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Minnesota State University-Mankato is December 15 for Spring applicants.
The application fee is 20. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Minnesota Colleges
Average SAT Score of Minnesota Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Minnesota
Bachelor Programs in Minnesota
Test Optional Colleges in Minnesota
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Minnesota