For Parents & Families

Aerial view of the Twin Cities Campus

We're thrilled your student is considering the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. At our college, your student will have the opportunity to explore a full range of design disciplines, participate in research and creative activities, collaborate with award-winning faculty, and pursue internships while enjoying all that the Twin Cities has to offer.

Minneapolis campus with skyline
Why the Twin Cities?

The vibrant metropolitan community in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul is recognized as a major design center in the United States. With a rich arts culture and strong industries, your student will be poised to jump-start their career upon graduation. Our diverse business community and wide-reaching alumni network provide unparalleled opportunities for internships, volunteering, networking, and employment.

Why the College of Design?

As one of the smallest colleges within the University of Minnesota, the College of Design combines the best of both worlds. Our small class sizes and advisor-to-student ratio ensures that each student receives the support they need while enjoying all the opportunities a Big 10 research university has to offer. All of our programs are supported by experienced faculty and dedicated staff and our extension alumni network helps students build connections with industry professionals, tour design firms and workplaces, and learn from our alumni’s experiences.

Landscape architecture student working on a model in the studio
Why Become a Designer?

Design is for everyone. The design process for products, systems, and solutions is necessary for the advancement of business, sustainability, policy, technology, healthcare, and more. A design-based degree—and the skills necessary to acquire one—carry weight in nearly every field and support a wide variety of careers. Our graduates have gone on to pursue advanced degrees, conduct ground-breaking research, and fill competitive positions in companies such as Target, Best Buy, and 3M.  

Costs & Financing

As your student plans for college expenses it is important to consider the full cost of attendance, which is the sum of tuition and fees, housing, course materials (such as textbooks) and personal expenses. When your student applies for financial aid, the University will use this cost of attendance figure to calculate its financial aid package. 

To help your student estimate their cost of attendance, the University has put together several tools. The first is One Stop’s Cost of Attendance Estimate Chart, which is updated yearly and acts as an example of what costs to consider as you are creating your estimate. The second is the Net Price Calculator, which provides an estimate of need-based financial aid for a full-time undergraduate student.

Once your student has created their cost of attendance estimate they should explore financial aid options. Information about eligibility, as well as applying for and receiving financial aid can be found on One Stop Student Services and the Federal Student Aid website

Resources for Parents & Families

The University of Minnesota has a wealth of resources to help students and their families plan for their academic career. Below you will find a curated list of the top most requested resources.

Questions? Contact the Office of Admissions or, if your student is a prospective graduate student, reach out to the University of Minnesota Graduate School.

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Planning Information

  • About Advanced Placement Courses: Discover what courses your student should take during high school to prepare for admission and university-level study.
  • Next Steps: See an overview of the next steps and deadlines for your family.
  • ACT and SAT Prep: Learn more about our ACT/SAT requirements and get information about test dates and registration.

Stay Connected with Campus

  • Campus Safety and Security Information for Families: The health and safety of our students is our number-one priority. This page contains information about emergency notifications, prevention, health services on campus, and other essential services that keep our students safe.
  • University of Minnesota Parent Program: The University of Minnesota Parent Program fosters relationships between the University and the parents of our students in order to support and foster student success. This site is your one-stop shop for information about campus events, important dates, and programs available to you