Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU or MNSU), also known as Minnesota State, is a public comprehensive university located in Mankato, Minnesota. The university sits atop the bluff of the Blue Earth River valley, approximately 75 miles (121 km) southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Founded as Mankato Normal School in 1868, it is the second oldest member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. It is also the second largest public university in the state and has over 114,000 alumni worldwide. It is referred to as the flagship of the Minnesota State Universities and Colleges system. It is an important part of the economy of South-Central Minnesota as it adds more than $377.13 million to the economy annually.