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 23,744 6,294
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu metrostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $8,571
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $8,571
Room & Board $14,230 $11,644
Avg Net Price $16,079 $19,347
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $8,322
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 612
Admitted 11,658 500
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 81.7%
Enrolled % 14.6% 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Average Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27
SAT Range 1030/1260
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, 2025 Aug 1, 2025

Academics

CU Denver Metropolitan State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 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 40% 42%
% Women 60% 58%
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 82% 99%
% Out-of-State 15% 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 (23,744 students vs. 6,294 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 1.9% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($8,736.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 203.3% higher at CU Denver than Metropolitan State University ($25,992.00 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 ($16,079 vs. $19,347)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University are 22.2% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($11,644 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State University than University of Colorado Denver (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 12.8% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($9,384 vs. $8,322)

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 (81.7%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

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/