Which is more selective for undergraduate admission: the University of Minnesota or Case Western Reserve University?

The main practical difference is that Case Western Reserve evaluates a smaller undergraduate applicant pool for a private, academically intensive research university, while the University of Minnesota Twin Cities admits a much larger and more varied class across many colleges and programs. Minnesota is still selective, particularly for high-demand colleges such as Carlson, Nursing, and some science- and engineering-related pathways, but its overall undergraduate admissions scale is broader. Case Western applicants typically face a more consistently competitive admissions environment across the university as a whole.

Case Western Reserve is widely regarded as the more selective institution overall for undergraduate admission. Its applicant pool tends to be heavily concentrated with students presenting strong academic preparation, especially in STEM and research-oriented fields, and its smaller entering class limits available spaces. Minnesota Twin Cities is a major public flagship with excellent academics and substantial opportunities, but its larger size and mission mean that overall admission is less restrictive than at Case Western.

For the broad comparison you are making, Case Western Reserve should be treated as the more selective reach, while the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is comparatively more accessible overall. That does not mean every Minnesota program is easier than every Case Western program, but it is the accurate conclusion when comparing the universities institution-wide.