Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. University of Houston-Downtown

Deciding between Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Houston Downtown? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Houston Downtown

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
  • University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Large City
  • University of Houston-Downtown Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 18,453
  • University of Houston-Downtown 13,730
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Public 4 Year
  • University of Houston-Downtown Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver #920
  • University of Houston-Downtown #939
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver -
  • University of Houston-Downtown -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Non-profit
  • University of Houston-Downtown Non-profit
  • Website
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver msudenver.edu
  • University of Houston-Downtown uhd.edu
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • University of Houston-Downtown
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $11,124
  • University of Houston-Downtown $7,708
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $30,684
  • University of Houston-Downtown $17,548
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $16,785
  • University of Houston-Downtown $10,176
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $14,584
  • University of Houston-Downtown $10,832
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,813
  • University of Houston-Downtown $10,257
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 65%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 84%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Calculate
  • University of Houston-Downtown Calculate
  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,622
  • University of Houston-Downtown 6,551
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,483
  • University of Houston-Downtown 5,893
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 98.8%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 90% Open
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 19.1%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 20% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1010
  • University of Houston-Downtown 1030
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21
  • University of Houston-Downtown 19
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3.03
  • University of Houston-Downtown 3.29
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver B
  • University of Houston-Downtown B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Easy
  • University of Houston-Downtown Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • University of Houston-Downtown
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26
  • University of Houston-Downtown 16/22
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130
  • University of Houston-Downtown 940/1110
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Test optional
  • University of Houston-Downtown Open admission
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027
  • University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1
  • University of Houston-Downtown 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
    • Business (21%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • University of Houston-Downtown
    • Business (40%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (15%)
    • General Studies (12%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (8%)
    • Psychology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 15%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $42,600
  • University of Houston-Downtown $47,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 47%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 41%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $24,250
  • University of Houston-Downtown $18,750
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $250
  • University of Houston-Downtown $193
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 44%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 38%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 56%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver High
  • University of Houston-Downtown Very High
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver No
  • University of Houston-Downtown No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 58%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 17%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 9%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 6%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 23%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 22%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 43%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 1%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 97%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 99%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3%
  • University of Houston-Downtown 1%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with University of Houston Downtown in Houston, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than University of Houston-Downtown based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 13,730 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); University of Houston Downtown is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Downtown is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; University of Houston Downtown 18:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. University of Houston-Downtown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or University of Houston-Downtown? 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 University of Houston Downtown than Metropolitan State University of Denver ($10,832 vs. $14,584).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Downtown are 39.4% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($10,176 vs. $16,785).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is 44.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Downtown (about $3,416 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $7,708.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 74.9% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at University of Houston Downtown (about $13,136 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $17,548.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Downtown than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (84% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Downtown students is 4.5% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($10,257 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. University of Houston-Downtown Admissions comparison

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

  • University of Houston Downtown reports an open admissions policy.
  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Downtown (1030) is 20 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
  • Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 19 at University of Houston-Downtown).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; University of Houston Downtown 940/1110.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; University of Houston Downtown 16/22.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; University of Houston-Downtown - Open admission.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; University of Houston-Downtown Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Houston-Downtown students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.29) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than University of Houston-Downtown (90%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 20% at University of Houston-Downtown.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. University of Houston-Downtown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Houston-Downtown? 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).

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver's six-year graduation rate (21%) is higher than University of Houston Downtown's (15%).
  • Graduates from University of Houston Downtown earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Downtown graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($18,750 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, University of Houston-Downtown graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($193 vs. $250).
  • More Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Downtown students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 41%)

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.