Minnesota and the Twin Cities advantage

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Big city. Big Ten. Your big opportunity.

This is more than a campus—it’s your connection to the world. The University of Minnesota is a top-tier research powerhouse right in the heart of a major metropolitan hub. That means your college experience isn't an isolated bubble; it’s plugged directly into a vibrant ecosystem of tech giants, startups, and creative culture.

With the Green Line light rail running right through campus, you have instant access to two distinct downtowns. One minute you’re in a state-of-the-art CSE lab, and a quick ride later you’re meeting mentors in the North Loop or catching a concert in St. Paul. This is where big-city energy meets the Big Ten community.

A metallic, abstract architecture with a person skateboarding nearby on a sunny day.

Culture and creativity

Creativity fuels discovery at CSE. You’ll use it every day to unravel complex data, synthesize new compounds, and prototype future tech. But you can’t make breakthroughs in a vacuum—you need inspiration.

That’s where our location shines. You can go from a micro-fabrication lab to the global food scene on Eat Street or the art districts of Northeast in minutes. Whether you’re catching a show at First Avenue or exploring a night market, the Twin Cities offer a vibrant break from the classroom. It’s a place to recharge, find your community, and bring fresh energy back to your research.

Career and connections

In the Twin Cities, your future employers are literally your neighbors, with the highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies per capita, including 3M, Medtronic, Target, and Best Buy.

CSE Career Services connects you to them, hosting Minnesota’s largest career fairs right on campus.

At the heart of "Medical Alley," the Silicon Valley of healthcare technology, you can tackle real-world problems, build your startup network, and launch your career—often before graduation.

A woman talks to a representative at a Land O'Lakes booth during a job fair.
Goldy Gopher statue with a scarf and covered in snow.

Four seasons of adventure

Minnesota’s seasons are legendary, and each one brings a new vibe to campus life. Fall means golden leaves on the quads and fresh energy in the labs. Winter is for cheering on Gopher hockey or using the Gopher Way tunnels to get between classes without a coat.

When the snow melts, the city wakes up. Spring brings outdoor festivals and sunny study sessions on the mall, while summer is perfect for paddling the Mississippi—or exploring Minnesota’s nearly 45,000 miles of lake shoreline, more than any other contiguous U.S. state. From snowy views in a warm coffee shop to sunsets on the Stone Arch Bridge, you’ll learn to love every time of year.

See why students love life in Minnesota

Here, opportunity and quality of life go hand in hand. Whether you’re building your career or exploring the city’s lakes and culture, Minnesota makes it easy to love where you live and learn.

  • Maroon '#1' on a black background.
    for new college grads, according to New York Times
  • Maroon '17' on a black background.
    Fortune 500 companies in the Twin Cities
  • Maroon '#5' on a black background.
    Forbes ranked Minneapolis as one of the best cities for new college grads

Explore more about Minnesota

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Culture and creativity

MPLSART

Northeast Minneapolis Arts District

Eat Street Corridor

First Avenue

Little Mekong

Career and connections

Minnesota Technology Association

Medical Alley

Healthcare MN

Earl E. Bakken Medical Devices Center

MN Cup

Four seasons of adventure

Explore Minnesota Festivals and Events webpage

Meet Minneapolis Nature and Outdoors webpage

Biker's guide to the Twin Cities

Skyway map

Gopher Way

Stone Arch Bridge

#FutureGopher

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