University of Minnesota Duluth Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on November 2, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~89%
- Middle 50% ACT: 23-28
- Middle 50% SAT: 1180-1340
- Average GPA: 3.55
UMD is the University of Minnesota’s campus on the shore of Lake Superior: about 8,700 undergrads, small classes (16 to 1), and the same U of M degree name on the diploma. It is not hard to get into (about 89% of applicants were admitted last fall), so for most families the real question isn’t “will we get in?” It’s “how much will they knock off?” The answer depends heavily on two things: your student’s GPA and which state you live in.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Minnesota Duluth at a Glance
- December 1 is the date that matters for money. Applying Early Action by Dec 1 gets priority scholarship consideration. January 15 is the last date for full merit consideration. After that, awards depend on what’s left.
- Your state might already get the in-state price. Families from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Ontario pay Minnesota tuition. Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Manitoba families can too, but only if they apply for reciprocity through their home state.
- Test-optional really does apply to the money, mostly. Merit is based mainly on GPA. Scores are optional, but a strong ACT or SAT can bump the award.
- One admissions scholarship per student. UMD won’t combine two of its admissions awards. Outside scholarships and need-based grants still stack, up to the cost of attendance.
- Best of Class needs paperwork if your school doesn’t rank. It’s for #1 or #2 students at Minnesota high schools only. No rank on the transcript means filing a counselor-signed appeal.
- There’s no UMD FAFSA deadline, and that’s a trap. The U of M Promise programs want the FAFSA on file before your student enrolls, and Minnesota’s North Star Promise has cut off late filers. File in October.
- Science and engineering majors pay $540 more a year. The Swenson College charge isn’t in the cost charts.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. University of Minnesota Duluth is test-optional for admission, but scholarships can work differently (see the next question).
Do you need test scores for scholarships at University of Minnesota Duluth? GPA drives the admissions merit tiers; scores are optional, but a strong ACT or SAT can raise the award.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 23-28; SAT: 1180-1340.
Average net price? About $18,743/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes. Institutional waivers are available.
UMD Admissions: First-Year Scholarships: https://admissions.d.umn.edu/costs-aid/scholarships
UMD Department of Music: Scholarships: https://cahss.d.umn.edu/departments/music/prospective-students/muscholarships
University of Minnesota: U Promise Scholarship: https://system.umn.edu/u-promise-scholarship
University of Minnesota: Promise Plus Free Tuition: https://www.umn.edu/promise-plus-free-tuition-program
University of Minnesota: Native American Promise Tuition Program: https://system.umn.edu/native-american-promise-tuition-program
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Minnesota Duluth: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in November 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest University of Minnesota Duluth has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $600 to $1,400 more than the in-state total below. $700 to $1,700 more than the out-of-state total below.
| Tuition & mandatory fees | $15,810 |
| Housing & meals (typical) | $12,310 |
| Total billed cost | $28,120 |
| Tuition & mandatory fees | $21,780 |
| Housing & meals (typical) | $12,310 |
| Total billed cost | $34,090 |
That is $5,970 more per year than Minnesota residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $18,743 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
Use the In-State column if you live in Minnesota, in one of UMD’s Midwest rate states (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MO, NE, OH, SD) or Ontario, or if you’re an approved reciprocity student from Wisconsin, North Dakota, or Manitoba. Everyone else uses the Out-of-State column. Even then, the gap is only about $5,970 a year, which is small next to most public universities.
UMD charges for your first 13 credits each semester, and anything above that is free. Taking 15 credits a semester costs the same as 13 and keeps your student on track to finish in four years. Finishing on time is the cheapest scholarship there is.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at UMD
Do Midwest students really pay Minnesota tuition at UMD?
Yes. UMD charges its Midwest Nonresident rate, which is the same as resident tuition, to students from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Ontario. For 2026-27 that’s $6,994 per semester for 13 or more credits, compared with $9,977 for other out-of-state students.
How does reciprocity work for Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Manitoba?
Approved students pay the resident rate, but it isn’t automatic. You apply through your home state’s higher education office (Manitoba uses UMD’s own form) before the first term. After the first year it renews on its own, unless your student studies abroad or leaves for a year or more.
Why does the average family pay about $18,743 when the sticker price is over $28,000?
The federal net price subtracts grants and scholarships from the full cost. Most UMD freshmen get some combination of merit, U Promise, Pell, and the Minnesota State Grant. Use UMD’s net price calculator for your own number, since your family’s income matters more than the average.
Does Minnesota’s North Star Promise work at UMD?
Yes. Minnesota residents with family income under $80,000 can have remaining resident tuition and certain fees covered after other aid. It doesn’t cover housing or food. For 2026-27, families had to file the FAFSA by June 1, 2026 to be considered.
Are there extra costs by major?
Swenson College of Science and Engineering students pay an extra $540 a year in tuition that isn’t shown in the cost charts. Some courses also carry their own course fees.
Is living on campus required for freshmen?
UMD doesn’t say it’s required, but it’s what most families do: 89% of first-year students live in campus housing. The $12,310 housing and food figure assumes a standard double and meal plan.
https://onestop.d.umn.edu/finances/costs/cost-attendance
https://onestop.d.umn.edu/finances/costs/tuition
https://onestop.d.umn.edu/finances/costs/reciprocity-programs
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/costs-aid/bulldogbundle
https://oir.d.umn.edu/common-data-set
📅 UMD Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)
- October: File the FAFSA as soon as it opens. The U of M Promise programs and North Star all run on it.
- December 1: Early Action. This is priority scholarship consideration and the date to aim for.
- January 15: Regular Decision. It’s the last date for full merit consideration and the hard date for Best of Class.
- Spring: Music auditions and the Music Department application (April 3 in the 2026 cycle).
- After January 15: Merit consideration is limited and depends on what money is left.
Parent rule of thumb: treat December 1 as your real deadline, even if your student is still deciding.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at UMD
Note: UMD publishes the tier names and the overall range, but not the GPA cutoffs or the dollar amount for each tier. If your student is on the fence about sending scores, ask your UMD admissions counselor whether the score would move them up a tier.
Automatic Merit: FAQs (UMD)
What GPA do you need for a UMD scholarship?
UMD doesn’t publish tier cutoffs. What we do know: the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen had GPAs of about 3.25 to 3.85, and the bigger awards go to students near the top of that range. A 3.9 or higher, combined with a #1 or #2 class rank at a Minnesota high school, is the bar for Best of Class.
Do I need ACT or SAT scores for scholarships at UMD?
No. Students can qualify on GPA alone. UMD says a strong score may earn additional merit, so send it if it helps your student’s case.
What is the Best of Class Scholarship?
It’s UMD’s top admissions tier, for students ranked #1 or #2 at a Minnesota high school with at least a 3.9 GPA who apply by January 15. If your school doesn’t rank, your counselor signs a statement that your student would be #1 or #2, and you file it as an appeal. Homeschooled students aren’t eligible.
Can my student get more than one UMD scholarship?
Only one admissions scholarship. Merit does stack with need-based aid (U Promise, Pell, the Minnesota State Grant), music audition awards, and outside scholarships, up to the total cost of attendance.
What does it take to keep the scholarship?
A 3.0 cumulative University of Minnesota GPA and full-time enrollment (12 or more credits) each semester. Graduating early forfeits the unused years.
Can spring-semester students get merit?
Yes, but the spring regular decision deadline for merit is October 15.
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/costs-aid/scholarships
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/apply/first-year-students
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/apply/test-optional
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at UMD?
| Aid Type | Stacks with Merit? | UMD Parent Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions merit tiers | N/A | Your student gets one admissions scholarship, the tier they land in. |
| Alumni or International Scholarship | Probably not | Both sit on the admissions scholarship page, and UMD allows only one admissions award. Ask which one your student gets. |
| Music audition awards | Yes | UMD says music scholarships combine with academic scholarships. |
| U Promise, Pell, MN State Grant, North Star | Yes | Need-based money layers on top. North Star and Promise Plus pay whatever tuition is left at the end. |
| Outside scholarships | Yes, to a cap | Total grants and scholarships can’t exceed the cost of attendance. If they would, UMD trims loans or work-study first, but it can trim institutional aid too. |
If your student is chasing a competitive full ride, UMD isn’t the school for it. What UMD does well is take a family from a scary sticker price to a manageable number without making your student jump through hoops: an on-time application, a FAFSA, and maybe an audition.
❓ Competitive Scholarship FAQs (UMD)
Does UMD offer full-ride scholarships?
Not for academic merit. The top merit tier tops out at $8,000 a year. The closest thing to “free” at UMD is need-based: Promise Plus, North Star Promise, and the Native American Promise Tuition Program can bring tuition to $0 for families who qualify.
What is the UMD Alumni Scholarship?
It’s for out-of-state freshmen whose parent or grandparent graduated from UMD. Apply for admission by January 15 of senior year. UMD doesn’t publish the amount, so call your admissions counselor and make sure the alumni connection is on file.
Can international students get scholarships at UMD?
Yes. The International Student Scholarship is worth up to $5,000 a year ($20,000 over four years). It renews with a 3.0 GPA and full-time enrollment.
Does UMD have a National Merit scholarship?
UMD doesn’t advertise a National Merit package. National Merit finalists should compare the Twin Cities campus, which does.
Are there scholarships for transfer students?
Yes. Transfer applicants can be considered for a Transfer Scholarship of up to $3,000 total over three years.
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/costs-aid/scholarships
https://onestop.d.umn.edu/finances/types-financial-aid/scholarships
University Honors at UMD
UMD has a University Honors program, not a separate honors college. It’s small: fewer than 2% of UMD undergraduates are accepted. Here’s the part parents like: there’s no GPA minimum to apply, and your student doesn’t have to get in as a high school senior.
- Who can apply: Incoming freshmen, transfers, and current UMD students with at least four semesters left
- What you submit: A personal statement and a description of extracurricular activities
- How they decide: Holistic review of the statement, activities, and academic record
Honors Scholarships
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
- Admissions merit: Up to $8,000 a year, automatic at admission
- Music: $2,500 to $7,500 a year by audition, on top of merit
- Need-based: U Promise, Promise Plus, and North Star through the FAFSA
- Later years: Department and donor scholarships through UMD’s spring application
University Honors: FAQs (UMD)
Is it hard to get into University Honors at UMD?
It’s selective by numbers (fewer than 2% of undergrads), but there’s no GPA cutoff. A thoughtful personal statement and real involvement matter a lot.
Can my student apply after freshman year?
Yes. Any UMD undergraduate with at least two academic years left can apply.
Does University Honors come with a scholarship?
Not a general one. Honors students can get a study abroad scholarship, and they still keep whatever admissions merit they were awarded.
What are the main perks?
Priority registration after the first semester, small honors classes, an optional honors living-learning community, and a senior capstone that helps with grad school applications.
Are honors classes more work?
They’re designed to go deeper rather than pile on, and they’re small and discussion-heavy.
https://university-honors.d.umn.edu/apply-university-honors
https://university-honors.d.umn.edu/about
⭐ College Specialty
UMD’s pitch is “small-school feel, big-university name,” and that’s fair. Most classes have fewer than 30 students, yet your student graduates with a University of Minnesota degree. Business and engineering are the two biggest draws by the numbers, and a lot of students come for the Lake Superior setting and stay for programs they can’t easily find elsewhere.
Labovitz School of Business and Economics: AACSB-accredited since 2000 and the only AACSB business school in northeastern Minnesota. Business is UMD’s most common bachelor’s degree, with accounting, finance, marketing, and management feeding regional employers.
- Swenson College of Science and Engineering: Engineering is UMD’s second-largest degree area. It covers mechanical, chemical, civil, electrical, and industrial engineering plus computer science, with real lab and undergraduate research access.
- Lake Superior science: UMD’s Large Lakes Observatory studies the world’s big freshwater lakes, a natural fit for biology, earth science, and environmental science students.
- A pre-med pipeline with a mission: The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Duluth campus sits on UMD’s grounds and now offers all four years of training there. It focuses on rural and Native American medicine and has graduated the second-largest number of American Indian physicians in the country. The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy also has a Duluth campus.
- American Indian Studies and Tribal Administration: Programs like the Tribal Administration and Governance degree are rare nationally.
- Outcomes: UMD reports 94% of recent graduates employed or continuing their education, and says it’s the top Minnesota public university for return on investment for low-income students.
🔗 Official University of Minnesota Duluth Links
These are UMD’s and the University of Minnesota’s own pages. Use them to double-check deadlines, award amounts, and costs before you make a decision. Schools update these every year.
-
First-Year Admissions & Deadlines:
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/apply/first-year-students -
First-Year Scholarships:
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/costs-aid/scholarships -
Costs & Aid Overview:
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/costs-and-aid -
Cost of Attendance (Detailed):
https://onestop.d.umn.edu/finances/costs/cost-attendance -
Tuition Reciprocity (WI, ND, Manitoba):
https://onestop.d.umn.edu/finances/costs/reciprocity-programs -
Net Price Calculator:
https://admissions.d.umn.edu/costs-aid/npc -
Grants & Waivers (Promise Programs, North Star):
https://onestop.d.umn.edu/finances/types-financial-aid/grants-and-waivers -
University Honors:
https://university-honors.d.umn.edu/apply-university-honors -
Common Data Set (Institutional Data):
https://oir.d.umn.edu/common-data-set
✅ Wrapping It Up
Here’s UMD in a nutshell: it’s one of the easiest ways to get a University of Minnesota degree at a price that doesn’t make you wince, especially if you live anywhere in the Midwest. Families from a dozen states and two Canadian provinces pay Minnesota tuition, merit money shows up automatically based mostly on grades, and Minnesota families under $120,000 have a real shot at need-based help on top of that.
The catch is that UMD rewards families who move early. Apply by December 1, file the FAFSA in October, and send test scores only if they help. If your student is a musician, book the audition. Do those four things and you’ll see close to the best number UMD can give you. Then compare it against your other offers, because for a lot of families, this is the school that quietly wins on cost.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it. After the series, about once a month, sometimes twice during application season. No drip funnels, no affiliate pitches, and we never sell your information. Unsubscribe anytime.Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Leo Dimilo
Leo is the founder of CollegeReadyParent. He went through the college money maze with his own daughter and built this site so other families could see the real numbers without a paywall or a sales pitch. More about Leo →