Santa Fe College vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL with Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Fe College is larger than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (12,758 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Fe College is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Santa Fe College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Fe College 18:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

Santa Fe College vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Santa Fe College or Metropolitan State University? 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 Santa Fe College than Metropolitan State University ($11,903 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Fe College are 34.7% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($10,367 vs. $15,864).
• Metropolitan State University is 283.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Santa Fe College (about $7,277 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $2,563.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at Metropolitan State University than at Santa Fe College (about $651 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $9,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at Santa Fe College (82% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 228.1% larger than aid received by Santa Fe College students ($8,538 vs. $2,602).

Santa Fe College vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Santa Fe College or Metropolitan State University? 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 Metropolitan State University and Santa Fe College.

• Santa Fe College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Santa Fe College - Open admission; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.

Santa Fe College vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Santa Fe College and Metropolitan State University? 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).

• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Santa Fe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have a $6,967 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates ($11,025 vs. $17,992).
• Among borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University graduates ($113 vs. $186).
• More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Santa Fe College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 34%)

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.