Metropolitan State University of Denver

  • 4/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Denver, CO
  • 0 reviews
#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

Overview

Total enrollment

18,453
Metropolitan State University of Denver overview
Metropolitan State University of Denver overview
  • Size Mid-size
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing No
  • Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Metropolitan State College of Denver (MSU Denver) occupies an urban campus in downtown Denver, sharing the Auraria Higher Education Center with two other institutions. Located in the heart of Denver's cultural district, the campus provides direct access to the city's business district, government offices, and cultural venues. The institution, established in 1965, operates as a public university primarily serving commuter students from the Denver metropolitan area. MSU Denver maintains a modified open enrollment policy and offers undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in aviation, teaching, social work, and business. The campus features modern classroom buildings, specialized aviation facilities, and laboratory spaces, though most students commute rather than live on campus.

Ratings

Metropolitan State University of Denver is rated within the lower 32% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    4 out of 10
  • Academics
    5 out of 10
  • Resources
    4 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    3 out of 10
  • Value
    1 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Easy
Metropolitan State University of Denver admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 880/1130
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 17/26
  • GPA 3.03

Acceptance Rate

98.8%
Metropolitan State University of Denver applications overview
  • Applications Due Jul 1, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 19.1%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Colorado Resident Tuition

$11,124

Out of State Resident Tuition

$30,684

Breakdown

In State Costs for Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Tuition $11,124
  • Books and Supplies $1,460
  • Other Fees $1,989
  • Estimated Off Campus Cost of Living $16,785
  • Budget for Other Expenses $6,232
  • Total One Year Cost $37,590

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$42,600 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

21% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Metropolitan State University of Denver are Business, General Studies, and Psychology. 21% of students major in Business, 9% in General Studies, and 8% in Psychology.

  • Business 21%
  • General Studies 9%
  • Psychology 8%
  • English and Literature 8%
  • Visual and Performing Arts 6%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering Metropolitan State University of Denver are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=127565.

GPA calculator: Metropolitan State University of Denver GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026