CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Colorado Boulder is larger than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder 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 Metropolitan State University than CU Boulder ($16,615 vs. $26,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University are 14.1% lower than at University of Colorado Boulder ($15,864 vs. $18,468).
• University of Colorado Boulder is 59.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $5,826 more per year; $15,666.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 356.5% higher at CU Boulder than at Metropolitan State University (about $35,078 more per year; $44,918.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at University of Colorado Boulder (82% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 31.5% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($11,225 vs. $8,538).

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 1240/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Boulder 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Boulder - Test optional; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than CU Boulder (78.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 33.8% at Metropolitan State University.

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Boulder 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).

• University of Colorado Boulder's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Metropolitan State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $1,508 lower median loan debt than CU Boulder graduates ($17,992 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CU Boulder graduates ($186 vs. $201).
• More CU Boulder graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

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.