About UMD The University of Minnesota Duluth campus grew from its early roots as the Duluth Normal School, to become a University of Minnesota campus in 1947. Today, UMD is a medium-sized regional university that offers students a supportive atmosphere and access to the resources of the larger University of Minnesota system. UMD students can choose from more than 93 undergraduate and post-baccalaureate degrees, and from graduate programs in more than 20 different fields. Our stellar teaching and research have earned the University of Minnesota Duluth high rankings in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” issue. Duluth: The Next Place You Could Be From Minnesota’s fourth-largest city is the best of both worlds. Living on the western shore of Lake Superior, Duluthians get all the benefits of city life, while enjoying endless access to the great outdoors. In Duluth, it’s just as easy to enjoy museums, restaurants and live music as it is to hike, ski or kayak.