Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado

Deciding between Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Northern Colorado? 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 Northern Colorado

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
  • University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Large City
  • University of Northern Colorado Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 18,453
  • University of Northern Colorado 8,869
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Public 4 Year
  • University of Northern Colorado Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver #920
  • University of Northern Colorado #680
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver -
  • University of Northern Colorado -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Non-profit
  • University of Northern Colorado Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • University of Northern Colorado

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $11,124
  • University of Northern Colorado $12,416
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $30,684
  • University of Northern Colorado $27,266
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $16,785
  • University of Northern Colorado $16,154
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $14,584
  • University of Northern Colorado $19,376
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,813
  • University of Northern Colorado $9,992
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 65%
  • University of Northern Colorado 95%

  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Calculate
  • University of Northern Colorado Calculate
  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,622
  • University of Northern Colorado 11,127
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,483
  • University of Northern Colorado 9,553
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 98.8%
  • University of Northern Colorado 85.9%
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 19.1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 13%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1010
  • University of Northern Colorado 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21
  • University of Northern Colorado 23
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3.03
  • University of Northern Colorado 3.53
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver B
  • University of Northern Colorado A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Easy
  • University of Northern Colorado Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26
  • University of Northern Colorado 21/26
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130
  • University of Northern Colorado 950/1190
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Test optional
  • University of Northern Colorado Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027
  • University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1
  • University of Northern Colorado 14:1
  • 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 Northern Colorado
    • General Studies (14%)
    • Health Professions (14%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Communication (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21%
  • University of Northern Colorado 46%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $42,600
  • University of Northern Colorado $44,600
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 47%
  • University of Northern Colorado 62%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $24,250
  • University of Northern Colorado $21,970
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $250
  • University of Northern Colorado $227

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 44%
  • University of Northern Colorado 32%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 56%
  • University of Northern Colorado 68%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver High
  • University of Northern Colorado Medium
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver No
  • University of Northern Colorado No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 58%
  • University of Northern Colorado 56%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • University of Northern Colorado 2%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 6%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 22%
  • University of Northern Colorado 18%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • University of Northern Colorado 4%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • University of Northern Colorado 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • University of Northern Colorado 15%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 97%
  • University of Northern Colorado 86%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3%
  • University of Northern Colorado 12%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 8,869 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or University of Northern Colorado? 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 University of Northern Colorado ($14,584 vs. $19,376).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Colorado are 3.8% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($16,154 vs. $16,785).
  • University of Northern Colorado is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $1,292 more per year; $12,416.00 vs. $11,124.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.5% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at University of Northern Colorado (about $3,418 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $27,266.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Colorado than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (95% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($9,992 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Colorado (1070) is 60 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 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 Northern Colorado 950/1190.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; University of Northern Colorado 21/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; University of Northern Colorado - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; University of Northern Colorado Aug 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) 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 Northern Colorado (85.9%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 13% at University of Northern Colorado.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Northern Colorado? 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 Northern Colorado's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have a $2,280 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($21,970 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, University of Northern Colorado graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($227 vs. $250).
  • More University of Northern Colorado graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.