Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than California State University-San Marcos based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 16,237 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University San Marcos than Metropolitan State University of Denver ($10,241 vs. $14,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 15.7% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($14,152 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 37.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State University-San Marcos (about $3,042 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $8,082.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at California State University San Marcos (about $10,002 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $20,682.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University San Marcos than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (71% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 13.3% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($11,123 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University of Denver or California State University-San Marcos? 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 California State University-San Marcos and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University San Marcos (1040) is 30 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at California State University-San Marcos).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; California State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; California State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California State University-San Marcos students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.32) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than California State University-San Marcos (95.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 14% at California State University-San Marcos.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver and California State University-San Marcos? 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).

• California State University San Marcos's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University San Marcos graduates have a $6,255 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($17,995 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, California State University-San Marcos graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($186 vs. $250).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.