Metropolitan State University vs. Lakeland University

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

Metropolitan State University Lakeland University
Location Saint Paul, MN Plymouth, WI
Setting Large City Rural Fringe
Enrollment 6,294 2,406
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - United Church of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website metrostate.edu lakeland.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Metropolitan State University Lakeland University
Tuition (In State) $8,571 $30,400
Tuition (Out of State) $8,571 $30,400
Room & Board $11,644 $10,778
Avg Net Price $19,347 $21,611
Avg Grant Aid $8,322 $23,855
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 96%

Admission

Metropolitan State University Lakeland University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 612 1,230
Admitted 500 1,224
Acceptance Rate 81.7% 99.5%
Enrolled % 26.2% 18.7%
Avg High School GPA - 3.0
Typical High School Grades - B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Metropolitan State University Lakeland University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)
  • Business (65%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Social Sciences (5%)
  • Psychology (3%)

Outcomes

Metropolitan State University Lakeland University
Graduation Rate 29% 42%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $49,200 $44,000
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,992 $25,458
Median Loan Payment $186 $263

Diversity

Metropolitan State University Lakeland University
% Men 42% 41%
% Women 58% 59%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 77%
% Black 20% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 1% 2%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 1%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Metropolitan State University Lakeland University
% In-State 99% 70%
% Out-of-State 1% 30%

Campus

Metropolitan State University Lakeland University
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State University is larger than than Lakeland University based on total student enrollment (6,294 students vs. 2,406 students)

Metropolitan State University vs. Lakeland University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University or Lakeland University?

  • Lakeland University is 254.7% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($30,400.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 254.7% higher at Lakeland University than Metropolitan State University ($30,400.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State University than Lakeland University ($19,347 vs. $21,611)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lakeland University are 8% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($10,778 vs. $11,644)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than Lakeland University (100% vs. 96%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lakeland University students is 186.6% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($23,855 vs. $8,322)

Metropolitan State University vs. Lakeland University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Lakeland University has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than Metropolitan State University (81.7%)

Metropolitan State University vs. Lakeland University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Metropolitan State University or Lakeland University? 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 Lakeland University and Metropolitan State University.

  • The graduation rate at Lakeland University is higher than Metropolitan State University (42% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $5,200 more per year than Lakeland University graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $44,000)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $7,466 lower median federal student loan debt than Lakeland University graduates. ($17,992 vs. $25,458)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $77 less per month on federal student loans than Lakeland University graduates. ($186 vs. $263)
  • More Lakeland University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/