Colorado State vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than Metropolitan State University of Denver based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 18,453 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

Colorado State vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver than Colorado State ($14,584 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University of Denver are 0.2% lower than at Colorado State University Fort Collins ($16,785 vs. $16,817).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 20.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $2,249 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $11,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.4% higher at Colorado State than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $4,099 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $30,684.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (69% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($10,160 vs. $9,813).

Colorado State vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 of Denver and Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Colorado State University Fort Collins (1190) is 180 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Test optional; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Colorado State students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Colorado State (88.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Colorado State vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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).

• Colorado State University Fort Collins's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates have a $3,246 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($21,004 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Colorado State graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($217 vs. $250).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 47%)

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.