Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or UNK? 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 Metropolitan State University of Denver than UNK ($14,584 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 27.3% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($12,198 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 28.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $2,448 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.8% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $15,400 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (89% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 0.4% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($9,813 vs. $9,776).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UNK Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 10 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNK students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than UNK (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $800 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($21,250 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($219 vs. $250).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 47%)

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.