UIU vs. Metropolitan State University

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

 UIU Metropolitan State University
Location Fayette, IA Saint Paul, MN
Setting Remote Rural Large City
Enrollment 3,072 6,294
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #737
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uiu.edu metrostate.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 UIU Metropolitan State University
Tuition (In State) $32,589 $8,571
Tuition (Out of State) $32,589 $8,571
Room & Board $9,644 $11,644
Avg Net Price $24,563 $19,347
Avg Grant Aid $25,788 $8,322
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 UIU Metropolitan State University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,405 612
Admitted 762 500
Acceptance Rate 54.2% 81.7%
Enrolled % 28.3% 26.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.34 -
Typical High School Grades B+ -
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 890/1050
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 UIU Metropolitan State University
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (40%)
  • Human Services (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Education (5%)
  • Business (33%)
  • General Studies (13%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (6%)

Outcomes

 UIU Metropolitan State University
Graduation Rate 45% 29%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $42,100 $49,200
Making Student Loan Payments 50% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,000 $17,992
Median Loan Payment $248 $186

Diversity

 UIU Metropolitan State University
% Men 41% 42%
% Women 59% 58%
Racial Diversity Medium High
HBCU No No
% White 66% 54%
% Black 19% 20%
% Hispanic 5% 5%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 3% 2%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 UIU Metropolitan State University
% In-State 49% 99%
% Out-of-State 48% 1%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Metropolitan State University is larger than than UIU based on total student enrollment (6,294 students vs. 3,072 students)

UIU vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU or Metropolitan State University?

  • Upper Iowa University is 280.2% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State University for in-state tuition ($32,589.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 280.2% higher at UIU than Metropolitan State University ($32,589.00 vs. $8,571.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State University than UIU ($19,347 vs. $24,563)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 20.7% lower than costs at Metropolitan State University ($9,644 vs. $11,644)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Upper Iowa University as Metropolitan State University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Upper Iowa University students is 209.9% larger than aid received Metropolitan State University ($25,788 vs. $8,322)

UIU vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIU 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 UIU .

  • Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than UIU (54.2%)

UIU vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UIU 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 UIU.

  • The graduation rate at UIU is higher than Metropolitan State University (45% vs. 29%)
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn on average $7,100 more per year than UIU graduates after ten years. ($49,200 vs. $42,100)
  • Metropolitan State University students graduate with a $6,008 lower median federal student loan debt than UIU graduates. ($17,992 vs. $24,000)
  • Metropolitan State University graduates are paying $62 less per month on federal student loans than UIU graduates. ($186 vs. $248)
  • More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 50%)

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