The University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) was originally the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA), which began in 1906 as a high school. Classes began at the University of Minnesota Technical Institute in September 1966 for a student body of 185. Associate in Applied Science degrees were offered in three academic divisions: Agriculture, Business, and General Studies. In 1992 U of M Board of Regents gave UMC approval to offer baccalaureate degree programs.

The campus currently offers more than 26 applied, bachelor of science degree programs and 50 concentrations, including several online degrees in the following academic areas: agriculture; arts, humanities, and social sciences; business; math, science and technology; and natural resources. Currently UMC has a total of 2,199 undergraduates attending the campus, featuring small class sizes with a student-faculty ratio of 16:1. A growing population of international students provides opportunities for intercultural experiences. In 2008 UMC students came from 23 different countries of origin.