The University of Minnesota (often called the U of M or UMN), is a premier public land-grant research university headquartered in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. UMN Transcript Design, As the flagship of the University of Minnesota System, it stands among the nation’s top public research institutions, renowned for groundbreaking discoveries, world-class faculty, and a commitment to serving society through education, research, and outreach.
Founded in 1851—seven years before Minnesota achieved statehood—the university received its charter from the Minnesota Territorial Legislature and Governor Alexander Ramsey. It began as a preparatory school near Saint Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River, opened to students in 1869 after interruptions from the Civil War, and gained land-grant status under the Morrill Act of 1862. This designation integrated practical education in agriculture, engineering, and mechanics alongside classical studies. The Twin Cities campus evolved into a comprehensive university with unique strengths: it is one of only five U.S. institutions housing engineering, medical, law, veterinary medicine, and agricultural schools on a single contiguous site.
The sprawling Twin Cities campus spans over 1,200 acres across both banks of the Mississippi River, blending urban energy with green spaces and state-of-the-art facilities. The university system includes additional campuses in Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and Rochester, but the Twin Cities remains the largest and most prominent.
Enrollment exceeds 56,000 students (around 56,666 in fall 2024, with about 31,855–41,303 undergraduates depending on reporting), drawing from every U.S. state and over 100 countries for a diverse, vibrant community. It offers 150+ undergraduate majors, 550+ graduate and professional degrees across 19 colleges and schools, spanning arts and humanities, sciences, business, health professions, engineering, law, education, and more. Notable innovations include inventions like the pacemaker, retractable seatbelt, and advances in cancer therapies and sustainable agriculture.
Ranked highly—e.g., #59 in National Universities and #26 among Top Public Schools (U.S. News 2026)—the U of M excels in research with billions in funding, driving impact in health, technology, environment, and equity. Its mascot, Goldy Gopher, embodies the “Minnesota spirit” of resilience and curiosity. With a motto of discovery and public service, the University of Minnesota prepares graduates to lead, innovate, and improve lives locally and globally.
