FRCC vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

Compare Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO with Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Front Range Community College is larger than Metropolitan State University of Denver based on total student enrollment (21,970 students vs. 18,453 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Front Range Community College is located in Westminster, CO (Large Suburban setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• Front Range Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Front Range Community College 22:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

FRCC vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FRCC 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 Front Range Community College than Metropolitan State University of Denver ($12,014 vs. $14,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Front Range Community College are 0.2% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($16,755 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 138.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than FRCC (about $6,461 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $4,663.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Front Range Community College (about $13,421 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $17,263.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Front Range Community College (65% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 5% larger than aid received by Front Range Community College students ($9,813 vs. $9,349).

FRCC vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FRCC 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 FRCC.

• Front Range Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMetropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsMetropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FRCC - Open admission; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.

FRCC vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FRCC 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).

• Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than FRCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Front Range Community College graduates have a $10,250 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($14,000 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, FRCC graduates have an estimated $106 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($144 vs. $250).
• More Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FRCC students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

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.