Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. Red Rocks Community College

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

Metropolitan State College of Denver Red Rocks Community College
Location Denver, CO Lakewood, CO
Setting Large City Large Suburban
Enrollment 16,995 6,470
Type Public 4 Year Public 2 Year
National Ranking #990
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mscd.edu rrcc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State College of Denver Red Rocks Community College
Tuition (In State) $8,445 $3,744
Tuition (Out of State) $26,277 $15,408
Room & Board $12,411 $12,411
Avg Net Price $14,805 $9,807
Avg Grant Aid $5,930 $7,419
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 55%

Admission

Metropolitan State College of Denver Red Rocks Community College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,163 -
Admitted 9,951 -
Acceptance Rate 97.9% Open
Enrolled % 19.2% Open
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)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State College of Denver Red Rocks Community College
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Health Professions (39%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (23%)
  • Engineering Technology (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Business (5%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State College of Denver Red Rocks Community College
Graduation Rate 21% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,600 $40,900
Making Student Loan Payments 47% 42%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,250 $9,072
Median Loan Payment $250 $93

Diversity

Metropolitan State College of Denver Red Rocks Community College
% Men 43% 47%
% Women 57% 53%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 58% 70%
% Black 6% 2%
% Hispanic 22% 15%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

Metropolitan State College of Denver Red Rocks Community College
% In-State 97% 98%
% Out-of-State 3% 2%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is larger than than Red Rocks Community College based on total student enrollment (16,995 students vs. 6,470 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State College of Denver or Red Rocks Community College?

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is 125.6% more expensive to attend than Red Rocks Community College for in-state tuition ($8,445.00 vs. $3,744.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 70.5% higher at Metropolitan State College of Denver than Red Rocks Community College ($26,277.00 vs. $15,408.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Red Rocks Community College than Metropolitan State College of Denver ($9,807 vs. $14,805)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Red Rocks Community College are 0% lower than costs at Metropolitan State College of Denver ($12,411 vs. $12,411)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State College of Denver than Red Rocks Community College (100% vs. 55%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Red Rocks Community College students is 25.1% larger than aid received Metropolitan State College of Denver ($7,419 vs. $5,930)

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

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

Which is better, Metropolitan State College of Denver or Red Rocks Community College? 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 Red Rocks Community College and Metropolitan State College of Denver.

  • Graduates from Metropolitan State College of Denver earn on average $1,700 more per year than Red Rocks Community College graduates after ten years. ($42,600 vs. $40,900)
  • Red Rocks Community College students graduate with a $15,178 lower median federal student loan debt than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($9,072 vs. $24,250)
  • Red Rocks Community College graduates are paying $157 less per month on federal student loans than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($93 vs. $250)
  • More Metropolitan State College 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/