Quick Facts
The University of Minnesota Crookston
The University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) is a public, baccalaureate, coeducational institution and a statewide campus of the University of Minnesota system.
As a four-year, public university with an enrollment of more than 1,400 students (approximately 600 on campus and 900 online), UMN Crookston proudly carries on a tradition of over a century of educational service to Northwestern Minnesota. Always affiliated with the U of M, the campus was first established in 1906 as a residential high school, the Northwest School of Agriculture. It opened its doors as an institution of higher learning in 1966, and it began offering baccalaureate degree programs in 1993.
What’s “Small Campus. Big Degree.” all about?
One of five campuses of the world-renowned University of Minnesota system, UMN Crookston delivers prestigious U of M degrees in a supportive, close-knit atmosphere where students, faculty, and staff interact and really get to know one another. There is great value in this small campus experience because it results in a big degree from an established and highly regarded brand known for excellence: the University of Minnesota.
Hallmarks of the UMN Crookston experience include:
- Experiential Learning and Research. UMN Crookston is recognized for its distinctive hands-on approach, where students directly apply what they learn in their coursework through field trips, special projects, service learning, internships, and undergraduate research.
- Learner-Centeredness. Small class sizes, a low student-to-faculty ratio, and faculty and staff who are invested in their students’ success all provide UMN Crookston students with a distinctive kind of personalized attention and mentorship.
- Technology. Still the “Laptop U” leader after more than 20 years, UMN Crookston integrates technology across teaching and learning in all disciplines, and new applications of technology are constantly explored.
- Leadership. Internships, volunteer opportunities, and community engagement are built into the UMN Crookston experience, and students have access to more than 40 clubs and organizations as well as NCAA Division II athletics.
- Diversity and Global Perspectives. UMN Crookston is the college of choice for students from more than 20 countries and 40 states. This results in a campus environment that encourages global awareness as well as diverse perspectives. Numerous opportunities to study abroad further enrich the experience.
U of M Crookston
- UMC Mission, Values and Purpose
- Organizational Chart
- Strategic Planning
- Campus Maps and Buildings
- History of the Campus
Accreditation
Accreditation is a process of reviewing the quality of higher education institutions. UMC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Higher Learning Commission
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent corporation which is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.
U of M Crookston has been ranked a US News & World Report "Best College" for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, and 1998 in the "Regional Colleges Midwest" category.
The University of Minnesota Crookston was recently announced as having not only one of the lowest average student debt figures in the entire state of Minnesota for the graduating Class of 2017, but also one of the lowest average student debt figures for all public institutions in the U.S. Specifically, University of Minnesota Crookston ranked #5 among public and private institutions of higher education in Minnesota in terms of having one of the lowest average student debt figures (refer to www.lendedu.com/blog/average-student-loan-debt-statistics#MN). The U of M Crookston also ranked #184 among the “Public Top 200 Lowest Debt” public colleges and universities in the nation. These rankings were released as part of LendEDU’s third annual Student Loan Debt by School by State Report.
The University of Minnesota Crookston has been ranked nationally for 2017 among the 100 “Top Public Schools for Freshman Financial Aid” by the Student Loan Report, an online resource covering student loan and debt issues in higher education. The U of M Crookston came in at #77 on this list recognizing 250 American colleges and universities that distribute the most financial aid to freshman students.
U of M Crookston has been ranked among the “Top Baccalaureate Colleges” in the U.S. by Washington Monthly in its 2018 College Guide, its 2017 College Guide, and its 2016 College Guide. Washington Monthly touts its college rankings as an alternative to rankings done by U.S. News & World Report in that the focus is on outcomes, and it uses three evaluative data pillars in its methodology: social mobility, research, and service.
The University of Minnesota Crookston is ranked among the “Top Public Universities in Minnesota” (at number 4) for 2019 by Niche, an online educational resource. The resource also lists UMC at #1 among the "Safest College Campuses in Minnesota," among the top 12 “Best Colleges in Minnesota,” and among the top 7 “Best Online Colleges in America.” UMC was also among the top 4 colleges having the "Best College Dorms in Minnesota." See all the Niche lists.
The University of Minnesota Crookston has been ranked among the “Most Affordable Colleges for Incoming Freshman with Financial Need” by the Student Loan Report, an online resource providing information about the student loan industry. The Student Loan Report analyzed over 1,000 colleges and universities and narrowed the report down to the top 250 that offered the most need-based scholarships and grants to incoming freshman. The U of M Crookston came in at number 59 nationally and is among only a handful of schools on the list from the Upper Midwest. See the full list.
UMC has been named among the "Best Midwestern Colleges" by The Princeton Review for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, and 2008, and it was named a "Best Value College" in 2012.
UMC has been named one of Money’s Best Colleges for 2018-19. UMC is ranked at number 190 among the list of the 727 best colleges in America. Money analyzed more than 25 data points including graduation rates, tuition costs, family borrowing, and alumni earnings to rank its list of the country’s top values in higher education.
UMC's online programs have earned a number of other accolades.
UMC has been named to 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 , and 2015 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with distinction.
UMC was named among the top 4 "Safest Colleges and Universities" in Minnesota by StateUniversity.com.
Campus Advisory Committees
Degrees at UMN Crookston
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
- Bachelor in an Applied Field (B.A.H., B.M.M.)
Complete listing of all UMC's academic programs (majors, minors & online)
Enrollment
Fall 2022:
Degree seeking 1489 students (979 full-time, 510 part-time)
Non degree 814 students
For additional information see our Institutional Effectiveness site and Official Enrollment Statistics Reports (via U of M Office of Institutional Research)
*Degree seeking students are full- or part-time students who are actively working to fulfill degree requirements. Full-time students are those carrying at least 12 credits per semester.
**Non-degree students include college in the high school students, post secondary enrollment option students, adult special students, and other general education students not officially enrolled in a degree program at UMC. Many of these students are enrolled in less than 6 credits, often taught off-campus.
Student/Faculty Ratio
16 to 1 (fall 2019)
Computers
UMN Crookston is internationally known as the original "Laptop University". A notebook computer is provided to every full-time, on-campus student through payment of a technology access fee.
Learn about the UMC laptop computer program.
Campus
Located at the northern edge of Crookston, the campus is comprised of 41 buildings on 108 acres (237 acres including the University of Minnesota Northwest Research and Outreach Center adjacent on the east).
A Regional Hub
In addition to teaching and research, outreach is a value integrated into UMN Crookston's educational mission. It is recognized as an interactive, collaborative process, supported by partnerships and multiple funding sources. In addition to these programs, the campus serves as a regional hub for other University of Minnesota programs and other collaborative and independent public service entities.
Housing
Nearly 600 students live on campus in residence halls and student apartments. Others live in off-campus housing. In spring of 2013, UMN Crookston opened the doors to its fifth residence hall - the third to be built since 2006. Learn more at UMC Residential Life.
Clubs and Organizations
More than 40 student clubs and organizations plan events and activities and provide professional development and leadership opportunities.
Athletics
UMN Crookston is a member of the NCAA Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
Golden Eagle student athletes participate in eleven varsity sports:
Men - cross country, golf, basketball, baseball, ACHA hockey, and trap
Women - cross country, volleyball, soccer, golf, basketball, softball, tennis, equestrian (western & hunt seat), and trap
Academic Term
UMN Crookston follows a semester-based calendar.
Academic terms include:
- Fall Semester (begins in late August, ends in December)
- Spring Semester (begins in January, ends in early May)
- May Term (three-week session in May)
- Summer Session (eight-week session in June-July)
Commencement ceremonies are typically held the first week of May.
Learn more about the Mace, Regent's Medallion and the Torch.
Admission and Expenses
UMN Crookston follows a holistic, test optional admissions policy. Learn more about the Admissions process at the Office of Admissions.
UMN Crookston has restructured the tuition policy in favor of a flat-rate tuition strategy which makes all credits above 13 per semester tuition-free. Students who take advantage of the flat rate and graduate in 4 years will pay significantly less and can save nearly $20,000. To graduate in four years, a student, on average, must complete 15-16 credits per semester.
Learn more current tuition and costs details on the Business Affairs Office website.
Disclosure of Institutional Information
In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, the University of Minnesota Crookston is pleased to provide the following institutional information upon request:
- Graduation rates
- Athletes graduation rates
- Campus crime statistics and institutional security policies<
- Requirements and procedures for withdrawing from the Institution
- Cost of attendance
- Refund policy and summary of requirements for return of Title IV grants or loans
- Current academic programs
- Names of accrediting associations and agencies
- Description of special facilities and services for disabled students
- Policy on enrollment in study abroad programs.
- Annual notification required by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations
- Financial assistance available and eligibility criteria
- Athletic participation and EADA report/data
Requests may be directed to:
Office of the Registrar
Hill Hall 7
University of Minnesota
Crookston, MN 56716