Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Denver, Colorado. It enrolls 15,002 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
58/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes13
Value72
Affordability65
Selectivity9
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 98.8%, Metropolitan State University of Denver is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
98.8%
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
880 – 1130
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
17 – 26
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether Metropolitan State University of Denver is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
37.8 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending Metropolitan State University of Denver isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $15,327 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$15,327
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
36%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
28%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$11,124
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$30,684
Room & Board (off-campus)
$16,785
Books & Supplies
$1,460
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,232
Total Cost of Attendance
$24,622
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$12,481
$30,001 – $48,000
$12,436
$48,001 – $75,000
$14,927
$75,001 – $110,000
$19,539
Over $110,000
$23,822
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,75010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$21,500Medianpercentile
$26,00075%percentile
$38,88490%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,625
↓ $6,875
No Pell $9,687
↓ $11,813
Dependent students $10,250
↓ $11,250
Independent students $15,989
↓ $5,511
Female students $12,500
↓ $9,000
Male students $12,250
↓ $9,250
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,005, less than completers ($21,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
36% of full-time students who enrolled at Metropolitan State University of Denver graduate within six years, and 66% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
36%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
66%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of $52,093 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$52,093
Earning > $25K
75%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$39,600
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$49,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$40,400
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$45,800
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$49,400
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $10,200, about 20% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
21.4 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Strong. 79% of graduates are actively reducing their debt seven years out.
Who Studies Here
Metropolitan State University of Denver is home to 15,002 students, a sprawling student community. Some distinctive traits: 40% are first-generation college students, 44% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
15,002
Part-Time
44%
First-Generation
40%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 41.8%6,268
Hispanic 36.7%5,501
Black 8.6%1,289
Other 6.8%1,013
Asian 4.5%671
International 0.7%98
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at Metropolitan State University of Denver. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Large CityDenver, Colorado
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
29%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
Designation
Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)
What You Can Study
Metropolitan State University of Denver offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
86 distinct programs across
25 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at Metropolitan State University of Denver is 14:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
14:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$7,433
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$27M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$89,216
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
577 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
246
43%
$106,034
Associate Professors
110
19%
$88,544
Assistant Professors
95
16%
$76,864
Lecturers
125
22%
$66,045
No Rank
1
0%
$95,876
Pros & Cons of Metropolitan State University of Denver
A quick at-a-glance summary of how Metropolitan State University of Denver tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Solid post-graduation earnings
First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
First-year retention is below typical
Best for:
Based on the data, Metropolitan State University of Denver is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Metropolitan State University of Denver
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Is Metropolitan State University of Denver hard to get into?
Metropolitan State University of Denver has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 98.8%.
What is the acceptance rate at Metropolitan State University of Denver?
Metropolitan State University of Denver has an acceptance rate of 98.8%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for Metropolitan State University of Denver?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Metropolitan State University of Denver scored between 880 and 1130 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for Metropolitan State University of Denver?
The middle 50% of admitted students at Metropolitan State University of Denver scored between 17 and 26 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does Metropolitan State University of Denver cost?
The average net price after aid at Metropolitan State University of Denver is $15,327 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is Metropolitan State University of Denver worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $52,093 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $15,327 per year. That's roughly 3.4x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is Metropolitan State University of Denver known for?
Metropolitan State University of Denver is best known for its programs in Experimental Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Metropolitan State University of Denver are $52,093, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Metropolitan State University of Denver accredited?
Yes. Metropolitan State University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend Metropolitan State University of Denver?
Metropolitan State University of Denver enrolls 15,002 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Metropolitan State University of Denver?
Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates 36% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Metropolitan State University of Denver a public or private college?
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a Public institution.
Where is Metropolitan State University of Denver located?
Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, Colorado.
What programs does Metropolitan State University of Denver offer?
Metropolitan State University of Denver offers 86 distinct programs. The most popular include Experimental Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Metropolitan State University of Denver?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Metropolitan State University of Denver is 14:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Colorado
Other colleges in Colorado share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
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