Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado

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

Metropolitan State College of Denver University of Northern Colorado
Location Denver, CO Greeley, CO
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 16,995 9,380
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #990 #617
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mscd.edu unco.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State College of Denver University of Northern Colorado
Tuition (In State) $8,445 $8,750
Tuition (Out of State) $26,277 $22,140
Room & Board $12,411 $12,870
Avg Net Price $14,805 $18,310
Avg Grant Aid $5,930 $8,813
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Metropolitan State College of Denver University of Northern Colorado
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 10,163 10,107
Admitted 9,951 7,938
Acceptance Rate 97.9% 78.5%
Enrolled % 19.2% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.03 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 20/27
SAT Range 910/1130 990/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 1, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State College of Denver University of Northern Colorado
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

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

Diversity

Metropolitan State College of Denver University of Northern Colorado
% Men 43% 31%
% Women 57% 69%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 58% 56%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 22% 18%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 4%
% International 0% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 15%

Students

Metropolitan State College of Denver University of Northern Colorado
% In-State 97% 82%
% Out-of-State 3% 17%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State College of Denver is larger than than University of Northern Colorado based on total student enrollment (16,995 students vs. 9,380 students)

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

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State College of Denver or University of Northern Colorado?

  • University of Northern Colorado is 3.6% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State College of Denver for in-state tuition ($8,750.00 vs. $8,445.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 18.7% higher at Metropolitan State College of Denver than University of Northern Colorado ($26,277.00 vs. $22,140.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State College of Denver than University of Northern Colorado ($14,805 vs. $18,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State College of Denver are 3.7% lower than costs at University of Northern Colorado ($12,411 vs. $12,870)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State College of Denver as University of Northern Colorado (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Colorado students is 48.6% larger than aid received Metropolitan State College of Denver ($8,813 vs. $5,930)

Metropolitan State College of Denver vs. University of Northern Colorado Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Northern Colorado (1031) is 60 points higher than at Metropolitan State College of Denver (971)
  • Incoming University of Northern Colorado students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Metropolitan State College of Denver (21)
  • Accepted freshman University of Northern Colorado students have a 0.5 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Metropolitan State College of Denver (3.03)
  • Metropolitan State College of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than University of Northern Colorado (78.5%)

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

Which is better, Metropolitan State College of Denver or University of Northern Colorado? 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 University of Northern Colorado and Metropolitan State College of Denver.

  • The graduation rate at University of Northern Colorado is higher than Metropolitan State College of Denver (46% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from University of Northern Colorado earn on average $2,000 more per year than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates after ten years. ($44,600 vs. $42,600)
  • University of Northern Colorado students graduate with a $2,280 lower median federal student loan debt than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($21,970 vs. $24,250)
  • University of Northern Colorado graduates are paying $23 less per month on federal student loans than Metropolitan State College 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 College 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/