Working at University of Minnesota - Rochester

UMR offers distinctive health sciences and biosciences education to prepare students for a broad spectrum of current and emerging careers, ranging from patient care to pure and applied research.

The campus community serves approximately 750 undergraduate and graduate students in the heart of downtown Rochester.

Vision: The University of Minnesota Rochester will inspire and empower undergraduates to solve the grand health care challenges of the 21st century.

Founded: 2006

First Graduating Class: 2013

Location: Downtown Rochester, Minnesota -- in the heart of the medical world

Specialty: Undergraduate Health Sciences

UMR Majors:

Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences (BSHS)

• An innovative degree program with an integrated curriculum to provide students with a foundational undergraduate education that allows them to pursue a wide range of careers in the health sciences field.

Bachelor of Science in Health Professions (BSHP)

• Four-degree programs in educational collaboration with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences.
  • Echocardiography
  • Radiography
  • Respiratory Care
  • Sonography

Enrollment: Enrollment varies by class, but maximum enrollment is approximately 1,000.

Average Incoming High School Cumulative GPA: 3.6

Average Class Size: 21

Median ACT: 22-27

Student to Faculty Ratio: 12:1

Note: There are no Teaching Assistants. There are no lecture halls. Faculty are available in JustASK Centers daily.

Financial Aid: 97% of students received financial aid in 2017.

Diversity Profile: University of Minnesota Rochester

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) has always prided itself in its diverse student body. UMR is different from other colleges and universities, having a single focus in providing degrees in health care. At this innovative campus, students who are traditionally in underrepresented populations in higher education (students of color, first-year generation students, Pell Grant-eligible students) are not only being retained but are also graduating in four years at rates above national numbers. Last year’s incoming class included 35.7% students of color.

Faculty and staff build relationships with students, connecting them to resources that contribute to student success during their time at UMR. Each student is paired with a success coach and given access to learning cohorts, Living Learning Communities, JustASK centers where faculty are readily available, bridge programs, and first-year student research teams.

More than 90% of UMR graduates complete their education and earn their degrees in four years or less, reducing the debt that they incur compared to other universities. Because of the specialized degrees offered at UMR, alumni graduate into a field where they are able to find jobs quickly, fulfilling a workforce shortage. 100% of Bachelor of Science in Health Professions students are employed in their field post-graduation.  

Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree continue their studies in medicine, mental health, public health and research.

UMR is constantly being driven to discover new, innovative ways to serve its students. One of the ways this is accomplished is through faculty’s primary research being conducted on student learning. The results of this research is seen in UMR’s unique flipped classrooms, active classroom environment (rather than traditional lecture-based classes), consistent group work, and most notably, the intersection between various subjects. Faculty in UMR’s Center for Learning Innovation offer an integrated curriculum, enabling students to develop critical thinking skills, empowering them to be exceptional learners whose careers address real life and real-world problems in the health care arena.

As the workforce demand in the health care industry increases, as well as the diversity among graduating high school seniors, not only in Minnesota but also around the country and world, UMR is poised to welcome underrepresented students to its purpose-driven campus. UMR’s evidence-based, relationship-driven practices are propelling the University to inspire transformation in higher education through innovations that empower graduates to solve the grand health challenges of the 21st century.