CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Metropolitan State University of Denver based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 18,453 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 CU Boulder ($14,584 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University of Denver are 9.1% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($16,785 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 40.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $4,542 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $11,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at CU Boulder than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $14,234 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $30,684.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at University of Colorado Boulder (65% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($11,225 vs. $9,813).

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Boulder (1340) is 330 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming CU Boulder students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Boulder students have a 0.65 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder and Metropolitan State University of Denver? 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 Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $4,750 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($19,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($201 vs. $250).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.