Why Minnesota

Minnesota. The North Star State. The Land of 10,000 Lakes. Whatever you call it, Minnesota’s natural beauty and cultural appeal is evident everywhere you turn.

Natural beauty

The state's name comes from a Dakota word for "sky-tinted water.” In fact, water is so abundant here that the state boasts more shoreline than Florida, California, and Hawaii combined. Its lakes and rivers, together with forests, parks, and wilderness areas, offer an abundance of recreational opportunities.

Healthy, wealthy, & wise

Minnesotans share your values of health and wellness. Always landing in the top of the lists of healthy and active states, its residents are avid bikers, boaters, golfers, and skaters. An ambitious bunch, they’re also some of the most educated and well-read. Its major cities often rank as the most literate in the country and have a per-capita percentage of college graduates, outnumbering nearly all other places.

Twin Cities

Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Together, they combine to form what locals call the Twin Cities. The main University of Minnesota campus, including the Medical School, is nestled in this major urban area of 3 million residents.

It’s green and lush, just like the rest of the state, but its urban core also pulses with the energy of a vibrant social scene. Arts, culture, professional sports, shopping, and culinary experiences abound. Living here, you’ll have access to all the big city amenities you want, but with the ease and friendliness of a small town.

Duluth

Contrasting with the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities, Duluth has a relaxed vibe. The city of 87,000 sits in a northern, scenic part of the state on the banks of Lake Superior – the largest freshwater lake in the world. The harbor it shares with its Superior, Wisconsin neighbor is the world’s largest inland port, also making the area an important shipping locale.

Just minutes outside the city, you’ll find open spaces, flourishing forests, and amazing wildlife. Native American communities are a vibrant part of the area’s culture, and are an important part of the Duluth campus’s mission.