UCCS vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than UCCS based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 11,354 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs is located in Colorado Springs, CO (Large City setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs 15:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

UCCS vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCCS 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 UCCS ($14,584 vs. $16,942).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs are 23% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($12,918 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCCS (about $975 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $10,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.1% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (about $6,348 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $24,336.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Colorado Springs than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (80% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 32.3% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Colorado Springs students ($9,813 vs. $7,420).

UCCS vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCCS 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 UCCS.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Colorado Springs (1120) is 110 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming UCCS students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 1010/1220; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Colorado Springs 20/26; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCCS - Test optional; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCCS students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than UCCS (97.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at UCCS vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

UCCS vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCCS 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 Colorado Springs's six-year graduation rate (41%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Colorado Springs earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates have a $3,251 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($20,999 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UCCS graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($217 vs. $250).
• More UCCS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (63% 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.