Academic Programs & Learning

University of Minnesota-Duluth

What About Academic Quality?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

16:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

81%

Students continuing to second year

📈

Part-Time Retention

43%

Part-time students continuing

📊

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 16:1 means there are approximately 16 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 63% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches Here?

Total Teaching Staff
465
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
16:1
Students per instructor
Tenured Faculty
29%
134 of 465 instructors

Tenure Status

Tenured (29%) Non-Tenure (5%) Other

Academic Ranks

Associate Professors1
Assistant Professors76
Instructors & Lecturers81
Other Instructional Staff307

Understanding Faculty Composition

University of Minnesota-Duluth employs 465 instructional staff members. About 29% hold tenured positions. The mix of ranked faculty and instructors supports diverse learning experiences.

Where Do Online Students Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2023 census)

Undergraduate (8,525 enrolled)
117
exclusively online (1.4%)
Same state 103 (88%)
Other US states 14 (12%)
Graduate (825 enrolled)
103
exclusively online (12.5%)
Same state 65 (63.1%)
Other US states 37 (35.9%)
Outside US 1 (1%)
ℹ️

About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

88% of University of Minnesota-Duluth's exclusively online undergraduates are located in MN. At the graduate level, 36% study from other US states, suggesting strong national demand for online graduate programs.

What Is the Academic Load?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

8,557
Total FTE
8,030
Undergraduate FTE
527
Graduate FTE

FTE Distribution

Undergraduate FTE
8,030 (93.8%)
Graduate FTE
527 (6.2%)

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:91.5% FTE ratio indicates a mix of full-time and part-time students

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) measures the total student enrollment adjusted for course load. One FTE represents a student taking a full course load, while two half-time students equal one FTE. This metric helps compare institutional size and resource allocation across different schools.

How Intensively Do Students Study?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

91.5%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelHigh

Most students maintain full-time or near-full-time course loads, balancing academics with limited outside commitments.

Undergraduate FTE
8,030
Graduate FTE
527
Total FTE
8,557
Headcount
9,350

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

The enrollment intensity shows how committed students are to their studies. Higher FTE ratios indicate more full-time students and intensive programs, while lower ratios suggest flexible scheduling that accommodates working professionals and students with other responsibilities. This information helps you understand whether the institution caters to traditional full-time students or offers more flexibility for adult learners.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact University of Minnesota-Duluth directly at 2187268000 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1 supports personalized learning
  • 465 instructional staff with 29% holding tenured positions
  • Primarily full-time enrollment creates immersive learning environment
  • Online students from MN and beyond (12% out-of-state)

Ready to Learn More About Academics at University of Minnesota-Duluth?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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