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University of Minnesota Duluth campus

University of Minnesota Duluth

https://www.d.umn.edu ↗

Elite Business Credentials Meet Small-Class Attention and Dance Opportunities

University of Minnesota Duluth offers a 64/100 match for this student. The AACSB-accredited business school with required internships, acces...

64.00
out of 100
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆
MODERATE FIT

AI Recommendation

University of Minnesota Duluth offers a 64/100 match for this student. The AACSB-accredited business school with required internships, accessible professors in upper-division courses, dance team walk-on opportunities, and exceptional outdoor recreation access align well with several priorities. However, there is a CRITICAL MISMATCH with climate - the student loves sunshine but Duluth offers only 92-100 sunny days annually with brutal 6-month winters, making it one of the cloudiest, coldest environments in the US. Additionally, while nature access is world-class, the small city setting (86K population) lacks the urban amenities and cultural scene the student desires. The 56% graduation rate and 78% retention rate suggest some students struggle with fit, likely due to the harsh climate and isolation. This school works ONLY if the student is willing to embrace winter sports culture and sacrifice sunshine for outdoor adventure access. Otherwise, the climate will likely cause significant dissatisfaction over four years.

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Performance vs. Average College

Academic
28.0 -2.0
Avg: 30.0 70% of max
Culture
21.0 -1.0
Avg: 22.0 70% of max
Environment
7.0 -8.0
Avg: 15.0 35% of max
Special
8.0 +0.0
Avg: 8.0 80% of max
This College
Average

Score Breakdown

Academic Profile
28.0 /40 (70%)
AACSB-accredited business school (top 5% worldwide) with solid marketing program and required internships addresses primary interest well. Psychology offers BA/BS with research emphasis. However, no dedicated pre-law major (only advising through Political Science/Philosophy) and no on-campus DPT program - pre-PT students must apply elsewhere after undergrad. Strong regional reputation but limited national recognition. Programs are solid but not exceptional.
Program Strength
7.0 /10
AACSB-accredited business school (top 5% worldwide) with solid marketing program and required internships addresses primary interest well. Psychology offers BA/BS with research emphasis. However, no dedicated pre-law major (only advising through Political Science/Philosophy) and no on-campus DPT program - pre-PT students must apply elsewhere after undergrad. Strong regional reputation but limited national recognition. Programs are solid but not exceptional.
Student Faculty
6.0 /10
17:1 student-faculty ratio is moderate (not particularly small). Upper-division courses run 15-25 students which meets need for smaller classes, but intro lectures reach 100-150 students. This means first two years will have larger classes before getting the personalized attention student seeks. Better than large universities but not as intimate as smaller colleges.
Applied Learning
8.0 /10
LSBE requires internship or capstone experience with 80% of business students completing internships. Strong emphasis on case studies, group projects, and experiential learning. Exercise Science program provides applied pre-PT pathway. Career Services offers internship database with strong Duluth business community connections. Excellent hands-on opportunities, particularly in business.
Career Prep
7.0 /10
Business school reports strong 85-90% placement within 6 months. Career Services provides resume review, interview prep, job fairs, and Handshake platform. However, placement is strongest regionally in Minnesota/Wisconsin with limited national reach. 70,000+ alumni network concentrated in Upper Midwest. Strong for regional careers but limited for national aspirations.
Campus Culture
21.0 /30 (70%)
Moderate to strong school spirit centered around Division II hockey (3 national championships). AMSOIL Arena draws strong attendance and 'Bulldog' identity is prominent. However, football and other sports have smaller followings. School pride exists but is more focused on outdoor culture and hockey rather than broad-based athletics. 78% retention rate suggests decent but not exceptional student satisfaction.
School Spirit
7.0 /10
Moderate to strong school spirit centered around Division II hockey (3 national championships). AMSOIL Arena draws strong attendance and 'Bulldog' identity is prominent. However, football and other sports have smaller followings. School pride exists but is more focused on outdoor culture and hockey rather than broad-based athletics. 78% retention rate suggests decent but not exceptional student satisfaction.
Social Scene
6.0 /10
Active weekend campus with outdoor recreation culture (skiing, hiking, kayaking) but some students leave for Twin Cities. Not primarily a commuter school but has some local commuter influence. Greek life is virtually non-existent (<1%), so social scene centers on clubs, outdoor activities, and off-campus gatherings. Downtown Duluth offers Canal Park and bars but limited compared to major cities. Less party-focused, more outdoorsy vibe may not match student seeking 'active social scene' in traditional sense.
Greek Life
8.0 /10
Minimal Greek presence (<1% participation, 2-3 small organizations with no houses) is ideal for student who wants social scene without Greek dominance. This prevents overwhelming Greek culture while still offering some option if interested. Social life appropriately centers on other activities.
Location & Environment
7.0 /20 (35%)
Mixed fit. Campus overlooks Lake Superior with EXCEPTIONAL nature access (Hartley Nature Center on campus, Superior Hiking Trail, Jay Cooke State Park). However, Duluth is a small city (86K population) - not truly urban with limited nightlife/cultural amenities. 2.5 hours from Twin Cities creates isolation. Student wants 'urban or near city' but Duluth feels more like small town with outdoor focus. Nature access is world-class but urban element is lacking.
Location
5.0 /10
Mixed fit. Campus overlooks Lake Superior with EXCEPTIONAL nature access (Hartley Nature Center on campus, Superior Hiking Trail, Jay Cooke State Park). However, Duluth is a small city (86K population) - not truly urban with limited nightlife/cultural amenities. 2.5 hours from Twin Cities creates isolation. Student wants 'urban or near city' but Duluth feels more like small town with outdoor focus. Nature access is world-class but urban element is lacking.
Climate
2.0 /10
CRITICAL MISMATCH. Student 'loves sunshine' but Duluth has only 92-100 sunny days/year (national average is 205). Brutal 6-month winters (October-April) with average January high of 19°F and 81 inches annual snowfall. This is one of cloudiest, coldest cities in US. Summer is beautiful but short. Unless student embraces winter sports, this climate will be miserable. 56% graduation rate partly reflects students struggling with harsh environment.
Special Requirements
8.0 /10 (80%)
UMD has Dance Team that performs at basketball/hockey games and competes at UDA College Nationals (Division II). Team holds annual tryouts with walk-on opportunities explicitly possible. 15-20 member team practices 3-4 times/week during season. Contact information provided (umdspiritsquads@d.umn.edu). Strong opportunity for student to participate, though Division II is less competitive than Division I.
Dance Team
8.0 /10
UMD has Dance Team that performs at basketball/hockey games and competes at UDA College Nationals (Division II). Team holds annual tryouts with walk-on opportunities explicitly possible. 15-20 member team practices 3-4 times/week during season. Contact information provided (umdspiritsquads@d.umn.edu). Strong opportunity for student to participate, though Division II is less competitive than Division I.

Top Strengths 6

  • 1 AACSB-accredited business school (top 5% worldwide) with solid marketing program and 80% internship completion rate
  • 2 Dance team with confirmed walk-on opportunities competing at UDA College Nationals
  • 3 Upper-division class sizes of 15-25 students with accessible professors focused on undergraduate teaching
  • 4 World-class outdoor recreation access with Lake Superior, hiking trails, and skiing literally on campus doorstep
  • 5 Strong school spirit around Division II hockey with active (not commuter) weekend campus culture
  • 6 Affordable tuition ($14,328 in-state, $18,818 out-of-state) with good academic support services

Things to Consider 6

  • 1 SEVERE CLIMATE MISMATCH: Only 92-100 sunny days/year with 6-month winters (Oct-April), 19°F January average, 81 inches snow - student loves sunshine
  • 2 Small city setting (86K) lacks urban amenities student desires - 2.5 hours from Twin Cities creates isolation
  • 3 Below-average 56% graduation rate and 78% retention rate indicate students struggle with fit/environment
  • 4 No on-campus law school or DPT program - pre-law and pre-PT require graduate applications elsewhere
  • 5 Career placement strongest regionally in Minnesota/Wisconsin with limited national network reach
  • 6 First two years include intro lectures of 100-150 students before accessing smaller upper-division classes

Detailed Research

Internships

LSBE requires internship or capstone experience. Career Services offers internship database. Strong connections with Duluth business community and Twin Cities metro. Approximately 80% of business students complete internships.

Avg Class Size

Lower-division courses: 25-40 students; Upper-division courses: 15-25 students; Intro lectures can reach 100-150 students

Teaching Style

Mix of lecture-based and applied learning. LSBE emphasizes case studies, group projects, and experiential learning. Strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching over research.

Academic Support

Tutoring Center, Writing Center, Math Learning Center, Disability Resources, Academic Advising offices in each college. First-year experience programs available.

Career Placement

Overall placement data not widely published. Business school reports 85-90% of graduates employed or in graduate school within 6 months. Strong regional placement in Minnesota.

Program Rankings

  • No specific pre-law major but offers Political Science and Philosophy programs with pre-law advising. Limited law school placement data available.
  • Labovitz School of Business and Economics (LSBE) is AACSB-accredited (top 5% worldwide). Marketing program is solid but not nationally ranked. Strong regional reputation in Minnesota/Wisconsin.
  • BA and BS options available. Program emphasizes research and applied experience. Not nationally ranked but well-regarded regionally.
  • Strong pre-professional health sciences advising. Exercise Science program serves as common pre-PT pathway. No on-campus DPT program (students must apply elsewhere).

Student Faculty Ratio

17:1

Greek Life

Very minimal - less than 1% participation. No Greek houses. 2-3 small fraternities/sororities exist but have virtually no social scene influence. Social life centers on clubs, sports, outdoor activities, and off-campus gatherings.

Social Scene

Moderate social scene. Outdoor adventure culture is dominant. Downtown Duluth offers bars, restaurants, Canal Park attractions. Less party-focused than larger universities. More outdoorsy, active lifestyle vibe.

School Spirit

Moderate to strong. NCAA Division II hockey is major draw (UMD has won 3 national championships). AMSOIL Arena hosts games with strong attendance. Football and other sports have smaller but dedicated followings. School pride centers around 'Bulldog' identity and outdoor culture.

Retention Rate

78% freshman retention rate (2022 data)

Graduation Rate

56% six-year graduation rate

Weekend Activity

Active campus on weekends. Strong outdoor recreation culture (skiing, hiking, kayaking). However, some students leave for Twin Cities (2.5 hours away). Not a suitcase school but has some commuter influence from local Duluth students.

Political Climate

Moderate to liberal, typical of Minnesota public universities. Less politically active than Twin Cities campus. Generally tolerant and inclusive atmosphere.

Setting

Small city setting. Campus sits on hillside overlooking Lake Superior. Duluth population ~86,000. Mix of urban amenities with immediate nature access.

Sunny Days

MAJOR CONCERN: Only 92-100 sunny days per year (national average is 205). Duluth is cloudy, cold, and snowy. Long winters (October-April). Average January high: 19°F. Average annual snowfall: 81 inches. Summer is beautiful but short.

Nature Access

EXCEPTIONAL. Campus borders Lake Superior. Immediate access to hiking trails (Hartley Nature Center on campus, Hawk Ridge, Lester Park). Superior Hiking Trail nearby. Jay Cooke State Park 20 minutes away. World-class outdoor recreation for skiing, kayaking, mountain biking.

Transportation

Duluth Transit Authority buses serve campus. Most students have cars due to winter weather and spread-out city. Campus shuttle system available. Walkable campus but hilly.

Nearest Airport

Duluth International Airport (DLH) - 8 miles from campus, 15 minutes. Direct flights to Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit. Most students fly through Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) - 155 miles, 2.5 hours drive.

Surrounding Area

Duluth is a small city with distinct character. Canal Park waterfront district, craft breweries, local restaurants. Outdoor recreation is primary attraction. Arts and culture scene (Duluth Playhouse, DECC arena). More isolated - 2.5 hours from Twin Cities, 5 hours from Chicago.

Dance Team

UMD has a Dance Team that performs at basketball and hockey games. Competes in Division II. Team holds tryouts annually - walk-ons are possible. Team competes at UDA College Nationals. Approximately 15-20 members. Practices 3-4 times per week during season.

Recreation

Sports and Health Center includes fitness center, climbing wall, pool, indoor track. Outdoor Program (UMD Outdoors) offers equipment rental and guided trips. Intramural sports include basketball, volleyball, hockey, broomball, soccer. Strong recreational sports culture.

Food Quality

Mixed reviews. Multiple dining halls (Kirby Student Center, The Marketplace). Students report adequate but not exceptional quality. Limited late-night options. Meal plan required for freshmen in dorms.

Campus Beauty

STUNNING. Campus overlooks Lake Superior with panoramic views. Mix of historic and modern buildings. Natural setting with wooded areas and rock outcroppings. Fall colors are spectacular. Winter campus is beautiful but harsh.

Housing Quality

Mixed quality. Newer options (Oak Ridge Apartments, Goldfine Hall) are well-regarded. Older traditional dorms (Griggs Hall, Burntside Hall) are basic. Two-year residency requirement. Many upperclassmen move off-campus to cheaper housing in Duluth neighborhoods.

Dance Team Contact

Contact through UMD Athletics: (218) 726-8191 or through Spirit Squads coordinator. Email: umdspiritsquads@d.umn.edu (verify current contact through athletics website)

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Data Quality & Confidence

Confidence Level
MEDIUM 75/100
Last Updated
Oct 25, 2025
1 week ago
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