In academic programs, enrollment, degrees awarded, and research activities, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Carnegie Classification Master's M, recognizes an affinity as "peers" to the following universities:
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- College of Charleston
- Minnesota State University-Mankato
- South Dakota State University
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
- University of Michigan-Dearborn
- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- University of Northern Iowa
- Western Michigan University
- Western Washington University