Students walking across campus on a sunny autumn day, chatting and enjoying the fall scenery

Student Life

Something big awaits you. Here, you'll encounter people and ideas from around the world that will inspire your thinking and take you down unexpected paths. Discover life on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.

90%

First year students live on campus

7,197

International students

1,000+

Student Groups

90%

First year students live on campus

7,197

International students

1,000+

Student Groups

Meet Our #UMNdriven Students

At the U of M you can dream, and you can do. You can dive in and create. You can build and become, learn, and discover. And you can share your successes and those of everyone you meet here who inspires you. Share what makes you #UMNproud through any of our many social media channels.

Housing and Dining

When you live on campus, you'll get a jump-start on meeting new people and developing lifelong friendships while being close to classes, libraries, rec centers, restaurants, and whatever resources you need, from mental health support to work-study jobs. Nearby, the campus is surrounded by distinct and welcoming neighborhoods, so whether you commute or live close, there are endless places to discover.

Get Involved

Students come together to socialize and learn from each other in countless ways. Across campus and in every major, you'll discover purpose, community, and opportunity.

Female student speaking into radio microphone with another person in the background

Student Groups

Student groups are a great way to get involved. There are more than 1,000, from the Alpine Ski Team to the Capoeira Club. Join a group or start your own!

Student Groups
young man and woman looking through large orange telescope in front of U of M building at Minnesota State Fair

Community Engagement

Develop your strengths and leadership skills through service learning and other community engagement opportunities in the vibrant Twin Cities.

Community Engagement
Students of different races and ethnicities wearing sweatshirts from various sororities and fraternities on campus

Greek Life

Membership in a fraternity or sorority is an experience unlike any other. Join the more than 3,000 students who participate in Greek life on campus.

Greek Life
A student wearing a blazer smiles while standing on a busy city street, with tall buildings and vibrant flowers in the background

“The U of M has so many clubs, activities, athletics, labs, and more available for students to get involved in. Take advantage of the opportunities within your interests!”

Allison Makovec ’24
Biology, Society, and Environment; anthropology

Student Health

Your health matters. That’s why our students are automatically enrolled in student health benefits. With top-notch medical care and insurance, we’ve got everything you need to stay healthy, right here on campus.

Club Sports and Recreation

student running on the track at the Minneapolis rec center

Centered in a vibrant metropolitan community, the Twin Cities campus is also a world in itself—with miles of bike paths, numerous lakes, and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area right in the heart of campus. You'll also have access to state-of-the-art recreation and wellness facilities, with programs in everything from intramural sports to outdoor recreation and fitness programs.

Recreation and Wellness

A student wearing glasses and a black polo shirt smiles while standing in a bright hallway

“I had a couple of mentors who had done a lot of impact in terms of promoting diversity, and that’s something I’ve found myself to be super passionate about, not just within the school itself, but with diversity in corporate America and greater society.”

Yinebeb Kebede '25
Finance; mathematics; accounting; management information systems

Arts and Culture

Art plays a meaningful cultural and educational role throughout the U of M campus, inspiring students to think differently about their world. With more than three dozen public artworks and the magnificence of Northrop, the Weisman Art Museum, the Bell Museum, and the West Bank Arts Quarter, inspiration is just a step away. Meanwhile, the Twin Cities is also home to a dynamic arts community. The Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the Guthrie Theater, and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts are just a few examples.

A ballet dancer in a pink tutu balances on pointe with one leg extended, posing gracefully on a terrace with a stone railing

I transferred after researching the immense respect the Twin Cities has for the arts. Since day one I have had access to resources that better my career and mental health. I feel comfortable reaching out, and I have felt extremely respected and taken care of within my major.

Angelina Pizarro ’26
Dance

Safety

The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is incredibly important. Students receive real-time safety alerts via text message, and alarm buttons and emergency phones are located throughout campus. Parking facilities, skyways, and tunnels are monitored 24 hours a day with the aid of security cameras, and campus escorts are available to bike and walk with you to and from campus locations and nearby neighborhoods—just call 612-624-WALK.

Getting Around Campus

The Twin Cities campus is centered in one of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation. You can pedal your own wheels or hop on a Nice Ride or electric scooter.

Not a cyclist? Free Campus Connector shuttles will carry you everywhere on campus, while buses and light rail guide you swiftly around the Twin Cities. And don’t worry about staying warm in winter—we’ve literally got you covered with an underground tunnel system.

Student riding a NiceRide bicycle across pedestrian bridge with Weisman museum in background

 

A student in a suit and tie smiles while standing in a bright hallway.

“Being located in the Twin Cities sets this campus apart from other universities. We have sports, concerts, restaurants, cultures, and other experiences right in our backyard—all without losing the feel of a Big Ten, R1 university. Year-round, sun or snow, students can take advantage of all that the campus, Twin Cities, and broader community have to offer.”

Niko Vasilopoulos '25
International Business; marketing

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