
Minerva University is a private, non-profit, residential university headquartered in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 2012 by Ben Nelson with $25 million in venture funding from Benchmark Capital. Minerva has no classroom facilities, and all classes are conducted as seminars with a maximum of 19 students through an innovative online platform called Forum. The university offered places to 69 students out of 2,464 applications for its first class in 2014, resulting in a 2.8% acceptance rate. In 2023, 233 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs, with 62.7% going to women and 37.3% going to men. The median undergraduate tuition for the same year was $18,700, which is $4,888 more than the national average.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of degrees awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs in 2023 | 233 |
| Percentage of degrees awarded to women | 62.7% |
| Percentage of degrees awarded to men | 37.3% |
| Most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients | White (15 degrees) |
| Second closest race/ethnicity group | Asian (9 degrees) |
| Median undergraduate tuition in 2023 | $18,700 |
| Average yearly cost of room and board in 2023 | $12,300 |
| Average yearly cost of books and supplies in 2023 | $1,000 |
| Percentage of undergraduate students receiving financial aid through grants in 2023 | 67% |
| Number of students in each class | 19 |
| Number of students admitted in 2014 | 29 |
| Acceptance rate in 2014 | 2.8% |
| Yield in 2014 | 42% |
| Number of countries students come from | 100 |
| Number of cities students travel to | 7 |
| Number of reviews on Niche | 103 |
| Niche rating out of 5 | 4.58 |
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What You'll Learn

Minerva University's class sizes
Minerva University, formerly known as the Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute, is a private residential university based in San Francisco, California. The university was founded in 2012 by Ben Nelson, who received $25 million in funding from Benchmark Capital. Minerva University offers an innovative and immersive educational experience for its students, with a focus on developing critical thinking, leadership skills, and global immersion.
In terms of class sizes, Minerva University typically conducts classes with up to 19 students. This small class size is a key feature of the university's educational model, allowing for interactive and collaborative learning. The university utilizes a flipped classroom model, where students are expected to come to class prepared, enabling deeper discussions and a more engaging learning environment.
The university's classes are conducted as seminars or online through the Minerva Forum, an innovative online platform. This virtual classroom provides students with a unique and immersive learning experience, fostering unfettered access to professors and promoting interactive participation. The small class sizes of around 19 to 20 students allow for a more intimate and collaborative learning environment, encouraging active discussions and the application of knowledge.
The university's class sizes also facilitate a diverse and inclusive learning environment. With students from 100 nations, Minerva University fosters a global community where different perspectives and backgrounds come together. This intercultural exchange enriches the educational experience, broadening students' worldviews and challenging them to think critically and creatively.
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The demographics of Minerva University students
Minerva University is a private residential university headquartered in San Francisco, California. It was established in 2012 by Ben Nelson using $25 million in venture funding from Benchmark Capital. Minerva received WASC regional accreditation for five of its programs and admitted its first class in 2014. The school offered places to 69 students out of 2,464 applications, resulting in a 2.8% acceptance rate and a 42% yield.
Minerva's classes are conducted as seminars capped at 19 students. Students travel to and live together in residential housing in a new country each semester, starting their education in San Francisco and then living in Seoul, Taipei, Hyderabad, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Berlin, and ending their program in San Francisco. The university has residence halls in all these cities.
Minerva's curriculum is designed to develop problem-solvers, entrepreneurs, and leaders from around the globe. Its undergraduate students come from 100 nations and are immersed in culturally vibrant cities worldwide during their four years of study. The university's graduate programs build on foundations that inform success, teaching students to think critically, approach problems creatively, and develop solutions with real-world impact.
In 2023, 233 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Minerva University. 62.7% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 37.3% to men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (15 degrees), 1.67 times more than the next closest group, Asian (9 degrees). The median undergraduate tuition at Minerva University was $18,700, $4,888 more than the national average. 67% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants in 2023.
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$16.99

The cost of studying at Minerva University
The median undergraduate tuition at Minerva University is $18,700 per year, which is significantly higher than the national average for both public and private universities in the United States. The cost of tuition includes instruction, location-specific experiential learning opportunities, access to professionals and institutions, and a global residential experience. However, it is important to note that 67% of undergraduate students at Minerva University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2023, which can help offset the cost of tuition.
In addition to tuition, students at Minerva University can expect to pay for room and board, books and supplies, and other personal expenses. The average yearly cost of room and board at Minerva University was $12,300 in 2023, and the cost of books and supplies was approximately $1,000. These costs can vary depending on the location and the student's personal choices.
The total cost of attending Minerva University, including tuition, room and board, and other expenses, can vary depending on a student's financial situation and eligibility for financial aid. The university offers some financial support options, such as grants, loans, and scholarships, which can help make the university more accessible to students from different income levels. Additionally, Minerva University offers a program that allows tuition to be paid in installments over an agreed-upon period, sometimes without interest or finance charges.
Overall, the cost of studying at Minerva University is relatively high compared to the national average, but the university provides a unique educational experience that combines global immersion, innovative learning methods, and access to world-leading professionals and institutions. The availability of financial aid and the option to pay tuition in installments can make the university more accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
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Minerva University's acceptance rate
Minerva University, formerly known as the Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute, is a private residential university based in San Francisco, California. It was founded in 2012 by Ben Nelson with $25 million in funding from Benchmark Capital. The university offers a unique educational model with no classroom facilities; instead, all classes are conducted through an active learning platform with seminar-style classes of up to 19 students. Students travel to different countries each semester, living together in residential housing in cities such as Seoul, Taipei, Hyderabad, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Berlin, and London.
The acceptance rate at Minerva University is extremely selective and has been the subject of some debate. In 2014, the university admitted its first class, with 69 offers out of 2,464 applications, resulting in a 2.8% acceptance rate. However, some sources, including a student forum on Reddit, suggest that the acceptance rate may be lower, around 1%. This discrepancy may be due to the university's application process, which some claim artificially lowers the acceptance rate by considering individuals who provide only basic information as "applicants."
Despite the seemingly low acceptance rate, many students who initially thought they had no chance of being admitted have shared their stories of successful admission to Minerva University. The university takes a holistic approach to admissions, considering not just grades and test scores but also an applicant's proudest achievements, whether professional, academic, or personal, as well as their transcript, challenges, and other standardised test scores if provided.
The university's innovative approach to education focuses on hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to engage with massive open online courses and local experiences in their host countries. The curriculum is designed to enhance memory and cognitive abilities, with classes beginning and ending with quizzes to increase retention. Students are also introduced to "Habits of Mind" and "Foundational Concepts" through four "Cornerstone Courses": Empirical Analyses, Formal Analyses, Complex Systems, and Multimodal Communications.
The cost of tuition at Minerva University is $18,700 as of 2023, which is $4,888 more than the national average for undergraduate programs. The average yearly cost of room and board was $12,300 in 2023, with an additional $1,000 estimated for books and supplies. 67% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants or loans in the same year.
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The University's ranking
Minerva University has been named the World's Most Innovative University by the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) for three consecutive years. The WURI ranking system spotlights universities that significantly impact society through innovative educational programs and community engagement. Minerva University's distinctive educational model features a project-based curriculum, an immersive virtual platform, and a multi-city global student experience. The university's commitment to pioneering educational techniques and empowering students with the tools to build a responsible, sustainable, and equitable future are pivotal to its achievements.
In addition to its top ranking in innovation, Minerva University has also demonstrated excellence in multiple categories, including "Social Responsibility," "Generative AI Application," and "Funding." The university's unique approach to higher education offers a transformative educational experience that prepares students for a complex and ever-changing global future.
Minerva University's undergraduate program provides students with the opportunity to live and learn in vibrant cities, starting in San Francisco and then travelling to major cosmopolitan cities such as Berlin, Seoul, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, London, and Taipei. Students engage in seminar-style classes with no more than 18 peers, developing practical learning skills and gaining access to a wealth of resources beyond those available on traditional campuses.
The university's graduate programs are also highly regarded, with two unique programs designed to prepare global leaders to tackle complex challenges and make consequential decisions. These programs emphasize critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and practical decision-making skills. Minerva University's innovative and part-time graduate programs allow students to attend small, interactive classes in a synchronous virtual environment from anywhere in the world.
Minerva University's ranking as the World's Most Innovative University and its highly praised graduate and undergraduate programs showcase its commitment to providing a world-class education that equips students with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a diverse and evolving global landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2014, Minerva University admitted its first class of 29 students out of 2,464 applications. As of 2023, the university has an undergraduate student body comprising 58% male and 42% female students.
Classes at Minerva University are conducted as seminars with a maximum of 19 students.
In 2023, 233 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Minerva University.











































