Minerva University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. strong 89% graduation rate; 98% freshman retention — students rarely leave.
About This School
Minerva University is a private nonprofit institution located in San Francisco, California with approximately 637 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 3%. In-state tuition is $23,630 per year. The graduation rate is 89%.
Minerva University is a private residential university headquartered in San Francisco, California. It was established in 2012 by Ben Nelson and opened in 2014 as Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute, becoming Minerva University in 2021. Classes are conducted remotely. Undergraduate students live together in residences in different cities each year, beginning in San Francisco and returning there for graduation. As of 2025, they live in Tokyo for their sophomore year, Buenos Aires for their junior year, and Taipei for their senior year.
This school is a genuine fit for students who are intellectually restless, self-directed, and genuinely excited by the idea of living in a different city — Tokyo, Buenos Aires, and others — each year rather than a traditional campus. The model is unlike anything else in higher education: no lecture halls, no physical campus in the traditional sense, with seminars conducted online while students live and work together in rotating global cities, and the 98% freshman retention rate suggests that students who get in tend to embrace rather than regret that choice. The 3% acceptance rate is real, and so is the rigor — this is not a school where someone drifts through, which likely explains the strong 89% graduation rate. That said, because Minerva is still young and unconventional, families should ask hard questions about employer and graduate school recognition in their specific field, since name recognition varies enormously by industry and geography. My honest advice: if your student has already done something unconventional and can speak clearly about *why* this model fits how they learn, apply — but if they're drawn to it mainly because it sounds impressive or different, dig deeper before committing.
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Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (637 undergraduates).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Minerva University?
Minerva University has an acceptance rate of 3%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Minerva University hard to get into?
Yes. With an acceptance rate of 3%, Minerva University is highly selective, so strong grades, a rigorous course load, and a standout application matter.
What is the graduation rate at Minerva University?
Minerva University has a graduation rate of 89%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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