Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Duluth, Minnesota
81.8% Acceptance Rate
University of Minnesota-Duluth — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
81.8%Acceptance Rate
3.51Avg GPA
1221Avg SAT
26Avg ACT
$26,907Annual Cost
$62,616Grad Salary
18.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
81.8%
Avg GPA
3.51
Avg SAT
1221
Avg ACT
26
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1128–1335
ACT Middle 50%
23–28
Avg Net Price
$18,464
Need-Based Aid
18.2% receive Pell
University of Minnesota-Duluth is a comprehensive public research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, student success, and its scenic location on the shores of Lake Superior. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, the university fosters an environment that encourages critical inquiry, research, and community engagement. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it an excellent choice for students seeking a dynamic and immersive collegiate experience.
University of Minnesota-Duluth Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of Minnesota-Duluth is inclusive by design: 81.8% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 81.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.51 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.31 – 3.50
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.06
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Minnesota-Duluth Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark January 15 for University of Minnesota-Duluth (Regular Decision — other plans are listed below), with decisions typically out by March 31.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 173 days left — Regular Decision
Regular Decision
January 15
Decision by: March 31
Early Action
November 1
Decision by: January 31
💡 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.
University of Minnesota-Duluth GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Minnesota-Duluth is 3.51. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.21 and 3.51? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.71–3.91.University of Minnesota-Duluth GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.51 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.31 – 3.50
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.11 – 3.30
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.10
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Middle 50% of fall 2025 first-year students: 3.25?3.85 GPA, 21?27 ACT; UMD is test-optional.
- Early Action deadline December 1 (priority scholarships, housing, orientation); Regular Decision January 15; rolling decisions begin October 1.
- $40 application fee; personal statement is optional but explicitly part of holistic review.
- MN residents may receive a Direct Admissions notice from the state OHE program but must still submit a full UMD application.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
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 University of Minnesota-Duluth
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of Minnesota-Duluth's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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.
University of Minnesota-Duluth Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at University of Minnesota-Duluth — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into University of Minnesota-Duluth Without SAT or ACT?
University of Minnesota-Duluth considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Minnesota-Duluth Average SAT Score: 1221
Admitted students at University of Minnesota-Duluth average a 1221 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1221 — Slightly Competitive
A 1221 average tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1335 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Minnesota-Duluth allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1128? A retake is worth it at University of Minnesota-Duluth — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 608 | 550 | 665 |
| SAT Reading | 624 | 578 | 670 |
| SAT Composite | 1221 | 1128 | 1335 |
A score under 1128 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1335+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into University of Minnesota-Duluth with a 1350 SAT?
At 1350, your SAT is squarely in University of Minnesota-Duluth's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
University of Minnesota-Duluth ACT Requirements
University of Minnesota-Duluth's admitted students average an ACT of 26.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 26 — Competitive
An average of 26 is a respectable, above-average national benchmark.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 25 | 22 | 27 |
| ACT English | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 26 | 23 | 28 |
Can I get into University of Minnesota-Duluth with a 28 ACT?
At 28, you're in the top quarter of University of Minnesota-Duluth's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, University of Minnesota-Duluth weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Minnesota-Duluth
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Minnesota-Duluth takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Use the optional personal statement strategically, not reflexively
UMD's admissions criteria explicitly list "personal statement (optional)" as a factor in holistic review alongside GPA, grade trends, and rigor - it's not just a formality. If your GPA sits below the reported fall 2025 middle-50% band (3.25?3.85) or your test scores are absent, write a short, specific statement addressing context (a grade dip, a schedule change, a rigor increase) rather than skipping it because it's labeled optional.
Front-load rigor in your senior year schedule
UMD names "grade trends & academic rigor" as a distinct review factor separate from raw GPA - meaning a B+/A- student whose schedule gets harder senior year (more AP/honors, fewer electives) reads as a stronger applicant than a flat-GPA student coasting on easy courses. If you're applying competitive programs at UMD (engineering, biology), load your final transcript with the toughest available courses rather than protecting your GPA with electives.
MN residents: don't treat a Direct Admissions notice as your application
UMD participates in Minnesota's Office of Higher Education Direct Admissions program, which proactively notifies eligible MN high school seniors that UMD is ready to admit them based on academic record. This notification is not an application - students must still formally apply through UMD's own portal to be considered. MN students who received this notice should apply well before December 1 to actually convert it into an offer.
Apply by December 1 even though decisions are rolling
UMD releases admission decisions on a rolling basis starting October 1, which can make the process feel deadline-free - but the December 1 Early Action date is what unlocks priority scholarship consideration, earlier housing selection, and earlier orientation date choice. Applying in the gap between October and December still gets you admitted, but a student applying after December 1 loses first access to merit money and housing - treat Dec 1 as the real deadline regardless of "rolling" language.
Expert Insight:
The common mistake at UMD is over-trusting "rolling admissions, test-optional" framing into applying late and skinny - submitting no personal statement and a flat senior schedule. Because UMD weighs grade trends and offers an optional statement as real review inputs, a thin application from a borderline-GPA student underperforms what a context-rich one would have produced - even though nothing was technically missing.
University of Minnesota-Duluth Profile
Full Name
University of Minnesota-Duluth
City
Duluth
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
55812
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Minnesota-Duluth Degree Worth It?
At $26,907/year against a $62,616 median graduate salary, University of Minnesota-Duluth is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $68,100, and graduates see a 3.01% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost?
Listed tuition runs $26,907/year at University of Minnesota-Duluth; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $18,464.
At University of Minnesota-Duluth, 18.2% receive a Pell Grant and 45.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming University of Minnesota-Duluth on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates report a median income of $62,616, about 54% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Minnesota-Duluth. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| 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 Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 1207 | 29 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 1205 | 25 |
| Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL | 1211 | 26 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Minnesota-Duluth. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | 1212 | 25 |
| California Lutheran University | Thousand Oaks, CA | 1224 | 26 |
| University of Redlands | Redlands, CA | 1231 | 28 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Minnesota-Duluth. 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 |
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at University of Minnesota-Duluth
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions
University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates earn a moderate median salary of $62,616/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of Minnesota-Duluth is relatively affordable, around $26,907/year.
18.2% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — University of Minnesota-Duluth skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
University of Minnesota-Duluth's acceptance rate is 81.8%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of Minnesota-Duluth students is 3.51, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.21 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of Minnesota-Duluth. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.11 or below makes admission tougher at University of Minnesota-Duluth, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
University of Minnesota-Duluth weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1221, and within the 1128–1335 range, keeps you competitive.
University of Minnesota-Duluth's deadline is January 15 (Regular Decision), with decisions out by March 31.
University of Minnesota-Duluth charges an application fee of 40; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before December 15, 2026 — that's University of Minnesota-Duluth's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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