CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN 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 based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 6,660 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 is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Metropolitan State University? 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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than Metropolitan State University ($14,831 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are 2.7% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($15,442 vs. $15,864).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $543 more per year; $10,383.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 198.7% higher at CU Denver than at Metropolitan State University (about $19,551 more per year; $29,391.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at Metropolitan State University (86% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus students is 11.2% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($9,496 vs. $8,538).

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or Metropolitan State University? 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 and CU Denver.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than CU Denver (74.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 33.8% at Metropolitan State University.

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver and Metropolitan State University? 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's (29%).
• Graduates from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than Metropolitan State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,200 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $3,198 lower median loan debt than CU Denver graduates ($17,992 vs. $21,190).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.