Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost

Quality of the Twin Cities New Freshman Class Increased Again

See also:

• New University-wide Undergraduate Graduation Rate Goals
• New Twin Cities Undergraduate Graduation Rates (graph)

The quality of the incoming freshman class at the University of Minnesota continues to improve according to the latest enrollment data released by the University. The numbers show excellent improvement and progress in attracting students who are prepared for the academic challenges of a major research university.

• Related Links:

  UMNnews article, "University of Minnesota announces improved graduation rates" Executive summary, Class of 2010 enrollment data and new graduation rate goals (FlashPaper format) Complete report, Class of 2010 enrollment data and new graduation rate goals (FlashPaper format) University News Service article, "U of M Class of 2010 best prepared in history"

  Top 10% of high school class
  • 38.7%—fall 2006
  • 34.0%—fall 2005

• Top 25% of high school class
  • 78.3%—fall 2006
  • 73.8%—fall 2005

• Average ACT composite score
  • 25.2—fall 2006
  • 25.1—fall 2005

• National Merit Scholars
  • 74—fall 2006
  • 58—fall 2005

• Percentage of students of color
  • 20.2%—fall 2006
  • 18.5%—fall 2005

Regarding Twin Cities campus enrollment and applications:

• Twin Cities campus freshman enrollment
  • 5,439—fall 2006
  • 5,305—fall 2005

• Twin Cities campus total enrollment
  • 50,402—fall 2006
  • 51,175—fall 2005

• Twin Cities campus undergraduate applications
  • 24,658—fall 2006
  • 20,576—fall 2005

Of the 24,658 applicants, 57.4% were offered admission, down from 69.5% in fall 2005. 38% accepted the offer and enrolled. Additionally, applications to the Twin Cities campus have increased over the past decade by more 70%, while the number of high school graduates in Minnesota has increased by only 20%.

New University-wide Undergraduate Graduation Rate Goals

Consistent with our strategic positioning vision, we are setting new and more ambitious graduation rate goals for all four campuses. These goals, for cohorts graduating in 2012 and later, clearly signal the crucial importance of timely graduation in educating students and serving the state of Minnesota.

New graduation rate goals for each campus are shown in the following table:

New graduation rate goals for the Twin Cities campus are further highlighted in the following graph, and in the context of actual graduation rates since 1992:

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