We are proud to share that the University has been named:
- One of Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2026
- A Top Workplace for Appreciation April 2026
- A Top Workplace for Work-Life Flexibility April 2026
The University is the only higher education institution in Minnesota and the top-ranking Big Ten institution included on the Best Employers for Company Culture list.
"We are proud to be recognized again by Forbes and TopWorkplaces.com as an employer of choice," said Ken Horstman, vice president for human resources. "The University of Minnesota's placement on these lists reflects our commitment to creating a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive workplace culture."
The University’s philosophy of total rewards seeks to holistically support employees in and out of the workplace. Employees enjoy comprehensive benefits, including cost-effective medical insurance, parental leave, and robust primary and secondary retirement plan options. Additionally, the Employee Work-Life and Personal Leaves policy helps employees effectively integrate and manage work and personal life responsibilities. Employees can also find supportive communities in Faculty and Staff Associations, which are open to all employees.
The University further invests in the success of its employees through the Regents Tuition Benefit Program, along with discounts on professional development courses and many internal communities of interest that support networking. The Office of Human Resources is further expanding professional growth opportunities for staff through the Employee Development Center, currently available for information technology and human resources professionals.
Survey methodology
Forbes’ list was determined by a large Statista survey of employees working for companies with 1,000 or more employees. TopWorkplaces.com drew from anonymous survey responses from 5,000 randomly selected full-time employees across the University.