Colorado Mountain College vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, CO with Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University is larger than Colorado Mountain College based on total student enrollment (6,660 students vs. 5,494 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Mountain College is located in Glenwood Springs, CO (Rural Fringe setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Colorado Mountain College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Mountain College 10:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

Colorado Mountain College vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado Mountain College or Metropolitan State University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Colorado Mountain College than Metropolitan State University ($7,631 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Mountain College are 20.1% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($12,680 vs. $15,864).
• Metropolitan State University is 92.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Colorado Mountain College (about $4,728 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $5,112.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at Colorado Mountain College than at Metropolitan State University (about $3,000 more per year; $12,840.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at Colorado Mountain College (82% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 22% larger than aid received by Colorado Mountain College students ($8,538 vs. $6,997).

Colorado Mountain College vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado Mountain College or Metropolitan State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Metropolitan State University and Colorado Mountain College.

• Colorado Mountain College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado Mountain College - Open admission; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.

Colorado Mountain College vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado Mountain College and Metropolitan State University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than Colorado Mountain College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $34,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Mountain College graduates have a $9,242 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates ($8,750 vs. $17,992).
• Among borrowers, Colorado Mountain College graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University graduates ($90 vs. $186).
• More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Colorado Mountain College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.