


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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
29% of admitted students enrolled (2,364 of 8,046)
Application fee
$20Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite ACT score
22Percent of students submitting ACT scores
6%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
RequiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
RequiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
RequiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
YesAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
NoGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData 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.