Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than Red Rocks Community College based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 8,419 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Red Rocks Community College is in Lakewood, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Red Rocks Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; Red Rocks Community College 28:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Red Rocks Community College? 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 Red Rocks Community College than Metropolitan State University of Denver ($8,478 vs. $14,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Metropolitan State University of Denver and Red Rocks Community College ($16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 128.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Red Rocks Community College (about $6,265 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $4,859.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.7% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Red Rocks Community College (about $13,225 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $17,459.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Red Rocks Community College (65% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Red Rocks Community College students is 46.1% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($14,333 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Red Rocks Community College? 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 Red Rocks Community College and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

• Red Rocks Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; Red Rocks Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver and Red Rocks Community College? 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).

• Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Red Rocks Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Red Rocks Community College graduates have a $15,178 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($9,072 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Red Rocks Community College graduates have an estimated $157 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($93 vs. $250).
• More Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Red Rocks Community College 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.