CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University

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

CU Boulder Metropolitan State University
Location Boulder, CO Saint Paul, MN
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 39,585 6,294
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #191
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website colorado.edu metrostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Boulder Metropolitan State University
Tuition (In State) $11,520 $8,571
Tuition (Out of State) $38,770 $8,571
Room & Board $16,146 $11,644
Avg Net Price $21,836 $19,347
Avg Grant Aid $10,477 $8,322
% Receiving Grant Aid 57% 100%

Admission

CU Boulder Metropolitan State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 53,781 612
Admitted 43,416 500
Acceptance Rate 80.7% 81.7%
Enrolled % 16.4% 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.68 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Very High Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/32
SAT Range 1160/1390
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

CU Boulder Metropolitan State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Biology (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

CU Boulder Metropolitan State University
Graduation Rate 68% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $56,900 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 73% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $17,992
Median Loan Payment $201 $186

Diversity

CU Boulder Metropolitan State University
% Men 55% 42%
% Women 45% 58%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 71% 54%
% Black 2% 20%
% Hispanic 11% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 6% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

CU Boulder Metropolitan State University
% In-State 53% 99%
% Out-of-State 45% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Boulder is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (39,585 students vs. 6,294 students)

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Boulder or Metropolitan State University?

  • University of Colorado Boulder is 34.4% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($11,520.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 352.3% higher at CU Boulder than Metropolitan State University ($38,770.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State University than CU Boulder ($19,347 vs. $21,836)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University are 38.7% lower than costs at University of Colorado Boulder ($11,644 vs. $16,146)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than University of Colorado Boulder (100% vs. 57%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students is 25.9% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($10,477 vs. $8,322)

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than CU Boulder (80.7%)

CU Boulder vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Boulder or Metropolitan State 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 Metropolitan State University and CU Boulder.

  • The graduation rate at CU Boulder is higher than Metropolitan State University (68% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Boulder earn on average $7,700 more per year than Metropolitan State University graduates after ten years. ($56,900 vs. $49,200)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $1,508 lower median federal student loan debt than CU Boulder graduates. ($17,992 vs. $19,500)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans 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/