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Minnesota State University-Mankato

#421 in US ranking Mankato, MN
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Minnesota State University-Mankato award
Minnesota State University-Mankato award

Cost

Cost / year
$25,448
Tuition & fees
$9,623
Avg. aid
$6,440
Receiving aid
93%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
88%
ACT range
21–25

Outcomes

Graduation rate
54%
Median salary
$53,620
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Minnesota State University-Mankato?

Minnesota State University, Mankato is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole and is an important condition for participation in federal student-aid programs.

Some professional programs have separate accreditation relevant to their disciplines. For example, business programs are associated with AACSB accreditation, and selected engineering programs hold accreditation through ABET; applicants should check the current status of their exact degree, since programmatic approval does not automatically cover every major in a college. Nursing and other regulated fields likewise warrant a program-by-program check.

Institutional accreditation does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular course in transfer, or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license. State licensing boards may impose additional requirements, including completion of an approved program, examinations, and supervised experience. Students planning to practice outside Minnesota should check the rules of the state where they expect to seek licensure.

What are the admission requirements at Minnesota State University-Mankato?

First-year applicants generally submit a university application and a secondary-school transcript documenting high school completion or an accepted equivalent. Minnesota State University, Mankato is not an open-admission institution, although its reported first-year acceptance rate is about 88%; that rate describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's likelihood of admission.

The academic record and college-preparatory coursework matter in review. SAT and ACT scores are considered when submitted but are not generally required for first-year admission. Among enrolled first-time students in the reported admissions data, relatively few submitted ACT scores, so a published score statistic should not be treated as a universal entry threshold. Recommendations are not a standard requirement.

Applicants educated outside the United States may need to document English proficiency, including through TOEFL or another accepted route under the applicable admissions policy. Requirements can also differ for graduate applicants and for competitive undergraduate programs. A student interested in nursing, for example, should distinguish admission to the university from later admission to the nursing major and check that program's prerequisites and deadlines.

What are the application fees and waivers at Minnesota State University-Mankato?

The reported standard application fee is $20. It is an application-processing charge, not an enrollment deposit or a payment toward tuition.

Applicants should check the fee displayed in the application they actually use before submitting it. Minnesota State institutions periodically offer application-fee promotions, and eligible applicants may have a waiver route; availability and instructions can depend on the application period and applicant category. Anyone seeking a waiver should resolve it during the application process rather than assume a paid fee will later be refunded. Graduate and specialized applications may follow different procedures.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Minnesota State University-Mankato?

Army ROTC is available on the Minnesota State University, Mankato campus. It combines military-leadership coursework and training with a student's regular degree program.

Participating in an introductory ROTC course is not the same as accepting a scholarship or committing to commission as an officer. Scholarship eligibility, medical and fitness standards, contracting, and any resulting service obligation depend on the student's status and the applicable Army ROTC terms. Prospective participants should discuss those distinctions with the campus Army ROTC program before committing. Students interested in another military branch should verify whether a practical cross-enrollment arrangement is available rather than assume that every ROTC branch operates on campus.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Minnesota State University-Mankato?

Minnesota State University, Mankato accepts transfer applicants and generally considers college-level credit from accredited institutions. Transfer students can enter in fall, spring, or summer, subject to applicable program schedules and deadlines.

Applicants should submit official transcripts from every college attended and check whether a high school record is also required for their circumstances. Admission to the university and admission to a selective major are separate decisions. Likewise, being admitted does not mean every previous course will satisfy a requirement in the chosen degree: a course might transfer as elective credit without replacing a specific prerequisite.

The university accepts several forms of evaluated prior learning, including certain CLEP, DSST, and ACE-recommended credits, subject to its credit policies. Minnesota State transfer pathways and course-equivalency resources can help students plan, but an official evaluation after application is the more reliable basis for a degree plan. Transfer applicants should compare that evaluation with the major's requirements and identify any credits they must complete at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Minnesota State University-Mankato?

Minnesota State University, Mankato offers education-abroad advising and opportunities that can include longer study programs and shorter, faculty-led experiences. The available destinations and formats depend on the term and the program.

Students may encounter university-organized offerings, exchange arrangements, or approved external providers. Those are not financially or academically interchangeable: tuition arrangements, housing, application steps, and transcript processing can differ. Before paying a program deposit, a student should obtain academic approval for the proposed courses and establish how they will apply to the degree.

Financial aid and scholarships may be usable for an approved program, but eligibility depends on the program, enrollment, and aid rules. Early planning is particularly important for majors with tightly sequenced courses or clinical and student-teaching placements.

Minnesota State University-Mankato Admissions Factors

ACT range
21–25
136
Acceptance rate
88%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
88%
Minnesota
85%
US
78%

29% of admitted students enrolled (2,364 of 8,046)

Minnesota State University-Mankato Admissions

Applicants
Total: 9,098
Admission
Total: 8,046
Enrolled
Total: 2,364
Women
Men

How to Apply to Minnesota State University-Mankato

Application fee

$20

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Minnesota State University-Mankato First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 1,945
Out-of-state: 373
International: 36

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 2,360
Transfer: 1,209

Minnesota State University-Mankato Admission Requirements

Median composite ACT score

22

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

6%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

Minnesota State University-Mankato Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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