FLC vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than FLC based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 3,544 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fort Lewis College is located in Durango, CO (Remote Town setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• Fort Lewis College 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: Fort Lewis College 14:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

FLC vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FLC 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 FLC ($14,584 vs. $17,114).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fort Lewis College are 18.5% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($13,680 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than FLC (about $1,166 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $9,958.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.5% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Fort Lewis College (about $9,158 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $21,526.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fort Lewis College than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (96% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 48.5% larger than aid received by Fort Lewis College students ($9,813 vs. $6,610).

FLC vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FLC 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 FLC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Fort Lewis College (1110) is 100 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming FLC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 1010/1210; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fort Lewis College 18/26; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FLC - Test optional; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: FLC Aug 1, 2027; Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FLC students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than FLC (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at FLC vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

FLC vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FLC 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).

• Fort Lewis College's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than FLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fort Lewis College graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, FLC graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($201 vs. $250).
• More FLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.