CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than Metropolitan State University of Denver based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 18,453 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver 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 Denver ($14,584 vs. $14,831).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are 8% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($15,442 vs. $16,785).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver is 7.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CU Denver (about $741 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $10,383.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (about $1,293 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $29,391.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (86% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 3.3% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students ($9,813 vs. $9,496).

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (1100) is 90 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming CU Denver students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

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

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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 Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus's six-year graduation rate (40%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $25,600 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus graduates have a $3,060 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($21,190 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, CU Denver graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($219 vs. $250).
• More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (61% 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.