Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Metropolitan State University

Should I go to Metropolitan State College of Denver or Metropolitan State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Metropolitan State College of Denver 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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Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Metropolitan State University comparison
Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University College 3 College 4
Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University
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Overview

Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University
Location Denver, CO Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 16,995 6,294
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #990
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mscd.edu metrostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University
Tuition (In State) $8,445 $8,571
Tuition (Out of State) $26,277 $8,571
Room & Board $12,411 $11,644
Avg Net Price $14,805 $19,347
Avg Grant Aid $5,930 $8,322
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,163 612
Admitted 9,951 500
Acceptance Rate 97.9% 81.7%
Enrolled % 19.2% 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.03 -
Typical High School Grades B -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23
SAT Range 910/1130
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University
Graduation Rate 21% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $17,992
Median Loan Payment $250 $186

Diversity

Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 54%
% Black 6% 20%
% Hispanic 22% 5%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Metropolitan State College of Denver Metropolitan State University
% In-State 97% 99%
% Out-of-State 3% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (16,995 students vs. 6,294 students)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State College of Denver or Metropolitan State University?

  • Metropolitan State University is 1.5% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State College of Denver for in-state tuition ($8,571.00 vs. $8,445.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 206.6% higher at Metropolitan State College of Denver than Metropolitan State University ($26,277.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State College of Denver than Metropolitan State University ($14,805 vs. $19,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University are 6.6% lower than costs at Metropolitan State College of Denver ($11,644 vs. $12,411)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State College of Denver as Metropolitan State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 40.3% larger than aid received Metropolitan State College of Denver ($8,322 vs. $5,930)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State College of Denver 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 Metropolitan State College of Denver .

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than Metropolitan State University (81.7%)

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

Which is better, Metropolitan State College of Denver 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 Metropolitan State College of Denver.

  • The graduation rate at Metropolitan State University is higher than Metropolitan State College of Denver (29% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $6,600 more per year than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $42,600)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $6,258 lower median federal student loan debt than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($17,992 vs. $24,250)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $64 less per month on federal student loans than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($186 vs. $250)
  • More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State College 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/