“I'm 100% sure that I would not have had a better time anywhere else in the United States or around the world!”
Julius, University of Munster, Germany
Affordable On-Campus Housing
You have three different University housing options to choose from. They are all located close to classroom buildings, libraries, shopping, and recreational areas. Residents may participate in social, educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities, and benefit from the services, skills, and time of a committed on-site staff.
*On-campus housing based on space availability*
Live Off-Campus
You also have the option of living off-campus which allows you to have the freedom of selecting your own housing, while also being close to all of the action! The Off Campus Living office provides useful information for finding housing, including resources for things to consider when searching for off-campus housing.
On-Campus Dining
You can sign up for a meal plan to get all-you-can-eat meals at campus dining halls. If you choose to live in Centennial Hall, a meal plan is required. Learn more about meal plan options and pricing through M Food Co.
But if you want other options, there's more on campus than just the dining halls. Whether you want a quick snack, a healthy meal, or a hot drink, you can find it in one of the on-campus food courts, convenience stores, or coffee shops.
Restaurants and Grocery Stores
There are many restaurants near campus, ranging from Chinese and Indian to pizza and burritos. On the Minneapolis campus, most of the shops and eateries are in Stadium Village (near the residence halls) and Dinkytown (just north of campus).
If you would like to do some cooking yourself, it's easy to get to grocery stores by light rail or bus. You can even get your groceries delivered!
Did you know cheerleading started at the University of Minnesota? In 1898, the football team needed extra encouragement to break a losing streak. A student offered to lead organized cheers at the next home game, which Minnesota won 17-6. Much of the credit went to the "yell leaders."
900+ Student Groups
Our students come together to socialize and learn from each other in more than 900 student groups, from the Alpine Ski Team and the Black Student Union, to the Bass Fishing Team and the Capoeira Club. Find the student groups you're interested in!
Sporting Events
From our seven national championships in football to our 11 combined national titles in women’s and men’s hockey, the University of Minnesota is known for its athletics excellence. In the most recent Olympics in Beijing, 10 Gophers competed in women's hockey and four played men's hockey for Team USA.
Cheer on the University of Minnesota at a game! Students get discounts to football, men's hockey, and men's basketball events, and free admission to all other sports!
You can also check out some professional sports teams. The Twin Cities has six teams:
- Minnesota Vikings (American football)
- Minnesota Twins (baseball)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (men's basketball)
- Minnesota Lynx (women's basketball)
- Minnesota Wild (hockey)
- Minnesota United (soccer)
Traditions
Goldy Gopher
When it comes to excellence—and toothy grins—nobody beats Goldy Gopher, the University of Minnesota mascot. Goldy loves to hype up the crowd at sporting events and pose for pictures with students. Try to spot him zooming around campus on his Segway!
Marching Band
Known as the "Pride of Minnesota," the Minnesota Marching Band performs at all home football games, as well as at some other sporting events. Along with Goldy and the cheerleaders, they hype up the crowd and get fans singing the Minnesota Rouser.
The Twin Cities parks are ranked as the best in the country. In fact, 97% of people in Minneapolis live within a 10-minute walk of a park. It's no coincidence, then, that the Twin Cities are also ranked among the healthiest cities in the U.S. year after year.
Locations
University Recreation and Wellness has multiple locations, including gyms on both the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. See where you can fit in a workout.
Intramural Sports
If you like playing sports, check out the University's intramural leagues. We have teams in basketball, soccer, tennis, Ultimate frisbee, dodgeball, and more. It's a great way to make friends and stay fit!
Fitness Programs
Whether you want group yoga or Zumba classes, personal training, or massage therapy, University Recreation and Wellness is here for you. Recreation and Wellness offers group fitness classes every day of the week, ranging from Hip Hop Jam to Cycle Strength and Water Aerobics. Our state-of-the-art facilities also feature all the equipment you need for a solo workout, including treadmills, ellipticals, an indoor track, and strength machines.
Outdoor Recreation
The Center for Outdoor Adventure offers a variety of activities and rentals for the University community and the general public.
Minnesota is known as the "Mini Apple." The city is only second to New York City, the "Big Apple," for the number of theater tickets sold per capita.
Museums, Galleries, and Theaters
The Twin Cities believe in art and artists. Just a few of the arts and culture opportunities in Minneapolis and St. Paul include the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the Guthrie Theater, and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The University of Minnesota’s arts programs are connected to all these creative communities.
On campus, you can enjoy a dance performance at Northrop or theater and music at the West Bank Arts Quarter. The University of Minnesota also has several museums: the Weisman Art Museum, the Bell Museum of Natural History, and the Goldstein Museum of Design.
Special Events
Our location in a major metropolitan center means that there is always something fun to do. From the internationally known State Fair every August to major sporting events and concerts, you will never be bored!
The University of Minnesota has mental health services and resources to keep you from feeling overwhelmed. A popular program brings in therapy animals so students can PAWS (pet away worry and stress)!
Staying Healthy
In the heart of campus, Boynton Health Service provides primary and urgent care, mental health services, dental and eye clinics, a pharmacy, women's health care, physical therapy, and health promotions such as flu shots and nutrition services.
Keeping You Safe
The safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors is incredibly important to all of us at the University of Minnesota, and the Twin Cities campus is among the safest in the country. Campus has its own police department, and text and email notifications will keep you updated in case of an emergency.
In the Twin Cities, you'll never be far from where you need to be — literally. We have an award-winning transit system, along with bike rentals and electric scooters. Our personal favorite way to get around? On foot.
Getting Around Campus
Once you arrive on campus, it’s easy to find affordable ways to get around town by bike, bus, train, or on foot.
Campus is very walkable and has miles of bike paths, with short-term bike rentals available from a variety of apps.
The free campus shuttles will take you between the East and West Bank of campus, or over to the St. Paul campus.
Campus is also near three light rail stations, with trains that will take you to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul, the international airport, or even the Mall of America.
Fly from a Major Hub
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport is just 30 minutes by light rail train from campus, making it very easy to get here from anywhere in the world. There are direct flights from Asia, Europe, and Latin America. In addition, students appreciate how easy it is to catch a direct flight to popular tourist destinations like Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles.