Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Washington State

Comparable Facts

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

Washington State University is larger than Metropolitan State University of Denver based on total student enrollment (25,685 students vs. 18,453 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Washington State University is in Pullman, WA (Distant Town setting).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; Washington State University 15:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Washington State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Washington State? 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 Washington State ($14,584 vs. $18,171).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Washington State University are 18.8% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($13,622 vs. $16,785).
• Washington State University is 20.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $2,267 more per year; $13,391.00 vs. $11,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Washington State University (about $734 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $29,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Washington State University than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (83% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington State University students is 10.9% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($10,886 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Washington State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington State University (1120) is 110 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming Washington State 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; Washington State University 1020/1210.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; Washington State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; Washington State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; Washington State Jan 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Washington State students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Washington State (86.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 19.7% at Washington State.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Washington State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Washington State University's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from Washington State University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,400 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington State University graduates have a $3,821 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($20,429 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, Washington State graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($211 vs. $250).
• More Washington State 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.