CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University

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

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
Location Denver, CO Saint Paul, MN
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 23,409 6,005
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #391
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu metrostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
Tuition (In State) $9,096 $8,571
Tuition (Out of State) $27,288 $8,571
Room & Board $14,920 $15,864
Avg Net Price $15,303 $18,233
Avg Grant Aid $8,079 $8,021
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 79%

Admission

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 14,569 542
Admitted 11,336 523
Acceptance Rate 77.8% 96.5%
Enrolled % 14.4% 30.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27
SAT Range 980/1220
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 Aug 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
Graduation Rate 40% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $17,992
Median Loan Payment $219 $186

Diversity

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
% Men 14% 5%
% Women 26% 7%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 54%
% Black 5% 20%
% Hispanic 19% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 8% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 1%

Students

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
% In-State 85% 99%
% Out-of-State 13% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (23,409 students vs. 6,005 students)

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Colorado Denver is 6.1% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($9,096.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 218.4% higher at CU Denver than Metropolitan State University ($27,288.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Colorado Denver than Metropolitan State University ($15,303 vs. $18,233)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver are 6.3% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($14,920 vs. $15,864)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Colorado Denver than Metropolitan State University (86% vs. 79%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 0.7% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($8,079 vs. $8,021)

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than CU Denver (77.8%)

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver 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 Denver.

  • The graduation rate at CU Denver is higher than Metropolitan State University (40% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $19,000 more per year than Metropolitan State University graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $49,200)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $3,198 lower median federal student loan debt than CU Denver graduates. ($17,992 vs. $21,190)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than CU Denver graduates. ($186 vs. $219)
  • More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/