DU vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Denver 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.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than DU based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 12,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Metropolitan State University of Denver is in Denver, CO (Large City setting).
• University of Denver is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Denver 9:1; Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1.

DU vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DU 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 DU ($14,584 vs. $45,451).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University of Denver are 5.5% lower than at University of Denver ($16,785 vs. $17,759).
• University of Denver is 451.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $50,274 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $11,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.1% higher at DU than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $30,714 more per year; $61,398.00 vs. $30,684.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Denver than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (99% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Denver students is 246% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($33,955 vs. $9,813).

DU vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DU 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 DU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Denver (1330) is 320 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
• Incoming DU students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 1240/1410; Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Denver 28/33; Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DU - Test optional; Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DU Jan 15, 2027; Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DU students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
• Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than DU (77.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.1% at DU vs. 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

DU vs. Metropolitan State University of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DU 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 Denver's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Denver earn a median of about $20,800 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($63,400 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Denver graduates have a $551 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($23,699 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, DU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($245 vs. $250).
• More DU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.