ISU vs. Metropolitan State University

Should I go to Idaho State University or Metropolitan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or Metropolitan State University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Idaho State University vs. Metropolitan State University comparison
Idaho State University Metropolitan State University College 3 College 4
Idaho State University Metropolitan State University
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Overview

ISU Metropolitan State University
Location Pocatello, ID Saint Paul, MN
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 12,614 6,005
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website isu.edu metrostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU Metropolitan State University
Tuition (In State) $5,992 $8,571
Tuition (Out of State) $25,102 $8,571
Room & Board $7,924 $15,864
Avg Net Price $12,353 $18,233
Avg Grant Aid $8,550 $8,021
% Receiving Grant Aid 90% 79%

Admission

ISU Metropolitan State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 542
Admitted - 523
Acceptance Rate Open 96.5%
Enrolled % Open 30.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.41 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2026

Academics

ISU Metropolitan State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

ISU Metropolitan State University
Graduation Rate 26% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,300 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,950 $17,992
Median Loan Payment $237 $186

Diversity

ISU Metropolitan State University
% Men 7% 5%
% Women 11% 7%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 67% 54%
% Black 1% 20%
% Hispanic 10% 5%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 4%
% International 14% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

ISU Metropolitan State University
% In-State 90% 99%
% Out-of-State 7% 1%

Campus

ISU Metropolitan State University
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Idaho State University is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (12,614 students vs. 6,005 students)

ISU vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Metropolitan State University?

  • Metropolitan State University is 43% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($8,571.00 vs. $5,992.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 192.9% higher at ISU than Metropolitan State University ($25,102.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Idaho State University than Metropolitan State University ($12,353 vs. $18,233)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 100.2% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($7,924 vs. $15,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Idaho State University than Metropolitan State University (90% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 6.6% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($8,550 vs. $8,021)

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Metropolitan State University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Metropolitan State University or ISU .

ISU vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or Metropolitan State University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Metropolitan State University and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at Metropolitan State University is higher than Idaho State University (29% vs. 26%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $6,900 more per year than ISU graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $42,300)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $4,958 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($17,992 vs. $22,950)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $51 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($186 vs. $237)
  • More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU 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/