Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. NMSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with New Mexico State University Main Campus in Las Cruces, NM on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than NMSU based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 15,408 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); New Mexico State University Main Campus is in Las Cruces, NM (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; New Mexico State University Main Campus 16:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. NMSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or NMSU? 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 New Mexico State University Main Campus than Metropolitan State University of Denver ($10,719 vs. $14,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New Mexico State University Main Campus are 26.8% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($12,282 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 35.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than NMSU (about $2,941 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $8,183.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.2% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at New Mexico State University Main Campus (about $5,377 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $25,307.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New Mexico State University Main Campus than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (96% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New Mexico State University Main Campus students is 46.9% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($14,420 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. NMSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University of Denver or NMSU? 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 NMSU and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010) is 20 points higher than at NMSU (990).
• Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at NMSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; New Mexico State University Main Campus 870/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; New Mexico State University Main Campus 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; NMSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NMSU students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.55) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than NMSU (89%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 20.6% at NMSU.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. NMSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver and NMSU? 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).

• New Mexico State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than NMSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $39,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, New Mexico State University Main Campus graduates have a $7,132 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($17,118 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, NMSU graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($176 vs. $250).
• More Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NMSU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 44%)

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.