Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Rochester, Minnesota
71.8% Acceptance Rate
University of Minnesota-Rochester — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
71.8%Acceptance Rate
1220Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$27,237Annual Cost
$69,020Grad Salary
35.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
71.8%
Avg SAT
1220
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1180–1250
ACT Middle 50%
22–27
Avg Net Price
$12,785
Need-Based Aid
35.6% receive Pell
University of Minnesota-Rochester is a modern, research-intensive campus of the University of Minnesota system, known for its innovative approach to health sciences education. Offering a high-value, undergraduate and graduate degree program in a supportive, community-focused setting, the campus allows students to engage in cutting-edge research and clinical preparation. Its connection to the prestigious Mayo Clinic and the research-intensive U of M system makes it a premier choice for students aiming for professional leadership in healthcare.
University of Minnesota-Rochester Acceptance Rate
University of Minnesota-Rochester is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Minnesota-Rochester is 71.8%. This means that 72 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 71.8% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
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-Rochester
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Minnesota-Rochester's verified institutional data
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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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Minnesota-Rochester Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into University of Minnesota-Rochester Without SAT or ACT?
University of Minnesota-Rochester considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
University of Minnesota-Rochester Average SAT Score: 1220
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Minnesota-Rochester is 1220 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1220 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes it slightly Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1220 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1250 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. University of Minnesota-Rochester allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1180, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Minnesota-Rochester. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1220 | 1180 | 1250 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1180 then you are below most of the admitted students at University of Minnesota-Rochester and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1250 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into University of Minnesota-Rochester with a 1250 SAT?
With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Minnesota-Rochester are good but the admission staff at University of Minnesota-Rochester tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
University of Minnesota-Rochester ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at University of Minnesota-Rochester is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This score makes University of Minnesota-Rochester slightly Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 25 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 22 | 26 |
| ACT English | 23 | 19 | 26 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 27 |
Can I get into University of Minnesota-Rochester with a 27 ACT?
A 27 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at University of Minnesota-Rochester — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at University of Minnesota-Rochester use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that University of Minnesota-Rochester — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether University of Minnesota-Rochester uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 27 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Minnesota-Rochester
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Minnesota-Rochester is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
This Is Not the University of Rochester - Confirm Before Advising
University of Minnesota?Rochester (UMR) and the University of Rochester in New York are two completely different institutions. UMR is a public University of Minnesota campus in Rochester, Minnesota - founded 2009, focused exclusively on health sciences and biosciences, located one block from Mayo Clinic. The University of Rochester is a private research university in New York with selective admissions, an engineering program, and a separate supplemental essay. College Portal content for UNITID 456959 should clearly identify "University of Minnesota?Rochester" with city and state to prevent counselor confusion. Any application strategy content written for the University of Rochester should not be applied here.
Choose UMR Because of Mayo Clinic - Not Despite Its Size
UMR has approximately 1,000 students, no Greek system, no traditional campus quad, and operates almost entirely within a downtown Rochester office building complex connected by skyways. Students who thrive here are those who enrolled because they wanted to be one block from Mayo Clinic, surrounded by a health science research ecosystem, and embedded in a city whose entire economy and culture revolves around medicine. The Mayo Clinic Invest in Success Scholars program - 15 students per annual cohort, full four-year scholarships, with 65% of current scholars holding part-time positions at Mayo Clinic filling patient-care roles - is the most concrete expression of this integration. For students who want pre-med, pre-health, or bioscience training directly inside the world's most recognized health system, no comparable institution exists in the country.
Apply Before July 31 and Ask About the MCIISS Program Specifically
UMR's application is through Common App, requires no personal essay and no letters of recommendation, and is test-optional with a July 31 fall deadline. The application fee is typically $0 (Common App fee waiver). However, the Mayo Clinic Invest in Success Scholars (MCIISS) program - which provides four-year scholarships to a cohort of 15 Rochester students demonstrating financial need - has its own recruitment and selection process. 74% of graduated MCIISS scholars have gone on to further employment or education at Mayo Clinic or professional school. If financial need and a healthcare career are both part of your student's profile, contact UMR's enrollment office about MCIISS eligibility before applying, since the cohort is recruited rather than open-application.
Plan for a Downtown, Non-Traditional Campus Experience
UMR's campus is embedded in University Square in downtown Rochester - not a traditional residential campus with quads, athletic fields, or a main street strip. Housing is apartment-style across several downtown buildings, connected to academic spaces and downtown Rochester through the skyway system. Students rarely need to go outside in Minnesota winters. The city of Rochester provides the social infrastructure: restaurants, parks, trails, and a walkable downtown. As of fall 2025, UMR announced plans for two new campus buildings - a learning innovation center and a student housing/recreation complex near Soldiers Field - as enrollment jumped 80% to approximately 400 new students that fall. The campus is growing rapidly, and its physical environment will look different by 2027?28 than it does today.
Expert Insight:
UMR reports nearly 100% job placement for BSHS graduates (per UMN Board of Regents presentation), and 94% of students receive financial aid with average awards exceeding $13,600/year. However, the university is small (fewer than 1,000 students), young (founded 2009), and offers only two undergraduate degree options: BSHS and BS in Biosciences. Students who discover mid-program that they want to major in something outside health sciences or biology - psychology, business, the humanities, engineering - have no path to do so at UMR and would need to transfer to another U of MN campus. Confirm that a health science career is a genuine commitment before enrolling, not a default choice.
University of Minnesota-Rochester Profile
Full Name
University of Minnesota-Rochester
City
Rochester
State
Minnesota
ZIP Code
55904
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Minnesota-Rochester Degree Worth It?
Getting into University of Minnesota-Rochester can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. University of Minnesota-Rochester offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at University of Minnesota-Rochester is $70,700 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.78%.
How much does a degree from University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at University of Minnesota-Rochester is $27,237. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Minnesota-Rochester is $12,785.
35.6% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 49.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to University of Minnesota-Rochester and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At University of Minnesota-Rochester, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist University of Minnesota-Rochester as your choice in the form.
How much does a University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $69,020. An average University of Minnesota-Rochester graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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 |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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 |
| Quinnipiac University | Hamden, CT | 1212 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Minnesota-Rochester. 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-Rochester
Bachelor Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by University of Minnesota-Rochester →
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a moderate salary, $69,020 annually, with some fluctuation based on the field.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $27,237 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
35.6% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The acceptance rate of University of Minnesota-Rochester is 71.8% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
Admission to University of Minnesota-Rochester is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1220 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1180–1250.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.