University of Minnesota Duluth vs University of Minnesota Twin Cities

University of Minnesota Duluth against University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is the flagship university of the University of Minnesota system and is ranked very high in global systems of universities. University of Minnesota Twin Cities ranks #210 in QS and 87^th in Times Higher Education whereas University of Minnesota Duluth does not show up in rankings.  The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is globally ranked by subject in Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Business, and Social Sciences, and its numerous programs rank in the 100–150 range worldwide. The University of Minnesota Duluth is especially well known in Engineering, Business, Education, Environmental Science, and Liberal Arts but less international. 

General Information

The University of Minnesota Duluth, which was established in 1947, is a mid-sized public research university in Duluth, Minnesota, with approximately 9,000 students. It is focused on undergraduate education, applied research, and outreach to the community, particularly in fields such as environmental sustainability and regional development.The oldest and largest campus of the system, located in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, is the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, founded in 1851. With a student enrollment of almost 50,000, it provides a full scope of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

University of Minnesota Duluth has an acceptance level of about 82 percent, which is an indicator of its wide accessibility while it upholds competitive levels for some programs like Engineering and Business. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is less accepting, with a volume of admissions for about 77 percent of applicants, albeit with more competitive admission for programs like Computer Science, Engineering, and Business.

Research Impact & Facilities

The University of Minnesota Duluth is a regional research university with specialized centers in freshwater research, environmental studies, business development, and engineering applications. Its amenities include the Large Lakes Observatory and regional research institutes.The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is an R1: Doctoral University with very high research activity and one of the top public research institutions in the United States. It boasts more than 300 research institutes, state-of-the-art laboratories, and collaborations across sectors, especially healthcare, biotechnology, engineering, and agriculture.

Cost & Financial Aid

Since both are public universities under the same system, fee is nearly alike but could differ slightly by campus and program.For the University of Minnesota Duluth, out-of-state and foreign students usually pay $20,000–$23,000 annually in tuition.At University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the fees are a bit higher, with international students requiring around $25,000–$28,000 each year. Both campuses have available scholarships, although University of Minnesota Twin Cities can offer more substantial merit and research-based ones given its greater funding pool.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

University of Minnesota Duluth graduates thrive in the regional business, education, engineering, and healthcare industries, especially in Minnesota and the Midwest. Alumni have strong connections with local industries and community programs.University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have access to a more extensive, international alumni network with strong representation in Fortune 500 firms, research, medicine, technology, and public policy. Its career implications are more robust abroad, aligning with its global stature and flagship designation.As a whole, the University of Minnesota Duluth is more individualized, undergraduate-oriented with solid regional connections, whereas the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a large world-class research university with broad professional and academic scope.