Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. New Mexico Highlands University

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

Metropolitan State College of Denver New Mexico Highlands University
Location Denver, CO Las Vegas, NM
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 17,593 2,814
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #963
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mscd.edu nmhu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State College of Denver New Mexico Highlands University
Tuition (In State) $8,868 $4,888
Tuition (Out of State) $27,591 $9,808
Room & Board $14,679 $9,674
Avg Net Price $13,727 $15,106
Avg Grant Aid $9,341 $6,020
% Receiving Grant Aid 65% 94%

Admission

Metropolitan State College of Denver New Mexico Highlands University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 12,403 -
Admitted 12,296 -
Acceptance Rate 99.1% Open
Enrolled % 17.3% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.03 3.3
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/23
SAT Range 880/1110
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2026

Academics

Metropolitan State College of Denver New Mexico Highlands University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Education (28%)
  • Health Professions (23%)
  • Business (20%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (4%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State College of Denver New Mexico Highlands University
Graduation Rate 21% 21%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $36,300
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $13,002
Median Loan Payment $250 $134

Diversity

Metropolitan State College of Denver New Mexico Highlands University
% Men 2% 10%
% Women 5% 29%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 21%
% Black 6% 6%
% Hispanic 22% 56%
% Native American 1% 8%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 0% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

Metropolitan State College of Denver New Mexico Highlands University
% In-State 97% 75%
% Out-of-State 3% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is larger than than New Mexico Highlands University based on total student enrollment (17,593 students vs. 2,814 students)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. New Mexico Highlands University Cost Comparison

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

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is 81.4% more expensive to attend than New Mexico Highlands University for in-state tuition ($8,868.00 vs. $4,888.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 181.3% higher at Metropolitan State College of Denver than New Mexico Highlands University ($27,591.00 vs. $9,808.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State College of Denver than New Mexico Highlands University ($13,727 vs. $15,106)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico Highlands University are 51.7% lower than costs at Metropolitan State College of Denver ($9,674 vs. $14,679)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at New Mexico Highlands University than Metropolitan State College of Denver (94% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State College of Denver students is 55.2% larger than aid received New Mexico Highlands University ($9,341 vs. $6,020)

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

  • Accepted freshman New Mexico Highlands University students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Metropolitan State College of Denver (3.03)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. New Mexico Highlands University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Metropolitan State College of Denver or New Mexico Highlands 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 New Mexico Highlands University and Metropolitan State College of Denver.

  • The graduation rate at Metropolitan State College of Denver is the same as at New Mexico Highlands University (21% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State College of Denver earn on average $6,300 more per year than New Mexico Highlands University graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $36,300)
  • New Mexico Highlands University students graduate with a $11,248 lower median federal student loan debt than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($13,002 vs. $24,250)
  • New Mexico Highlands University graduates are paying $116 less per month on federal student loans than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($134 vs. $250)
  • More Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New Mexico Highlands University students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/