CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State College of Denver

Should I go to University of Colorado Denver or Metropolitan State College of Denver? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CU Denver or Metropolitan State College of Denver 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 College of Denver comparison
University of Colorado Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver College 3 College 4
University of Colorado Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
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Overview

CU Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
Location Denver, CO Denver, CO
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 23,744 16,995
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #387 #990
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucdenver.edu mscd.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

CU Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
Tuition (In State) $8,736 $8,445
Tuition (Out of State) $25,992 $26,277
Room & Board $14,230 $12,411
Avg Net Price $16,079 $14,805
Avg Grant Aid $9,384 $5,930
% Receiving Grant Aid 93% 100%

Admission

CU Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 15,631 10,163
Admitted 11,658 9,951
Acceptance Rate 74.6% 97.9%
Enrolled % 14.6% 19.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.46 3.03
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Average Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/27 16/23
SAT Range 1030/1260 910/1130
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, 2024 Jul 1, 2024

Academics

CU Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (21%)
  • General Studies (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)

Outcomes

CU Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
Graduation Rate 40% 21%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $68,200 $42,600
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 47%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,190 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $219 $250

Diversity

CU Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
% Men 40% 43%
% Women 60% 57%
Racial Diversity High High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 58%
% Black 5% 6%
% Hispanic 19% 22%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 8% 0%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

CU Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
% In-State 82% 97%
% Out-of-State 15% 3%

Campus

CU Denver Metropolitan State College of Denver
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Colorado Denver is larger than than Metropolitan State College of Denver based on total student enrollment (23,744 students vs. 16,995 students)

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State College of Denver Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CU Denver or Metropolitan State College of Denver?

  • University of Colorado Denver is 3.4% more expensive to attend than Metropolitan State College of Denver for in-state tuition ($8,736.00 vs. $8,445.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.1% higher at Metropolitan State College of Denver than University of Colorado Denver ($26,277.00 vs. $25,992.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Metropolitan State College of Denver than CU Denver ($14,805 vs. $16,079)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State College of Denver are 14.7% lower than costs at University of Colorado Denver ($12,411 vs. $14,230)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Metropolitan State College of Denver than University of Colorado Denver (100% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Colorado Denver students is 58.2% larger than aid received Metropolitan State College of Denver ($9,384 vs. $5,930)

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State College of Denver Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver or Metropolitan State College of Denver? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Metropolitan State College of Denver or CU Denver .

  • The average SAT score at University of Colorado Denver (1055) is 84 points higher than at Metropolitan State College of Denver (971)
  • Incoming CU Denver students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Metropolitan State College of Denver (21)
  • Accepted freshman CU Denver students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.46) than students at Metropolitan State College of Denver (3.03)
  • Metropolitan State College of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than CU Denver (74.6%)

CU Denver vs. Metropolitan State College of Denver Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CU Denver or Metropolitan State College of Denver? 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 College of Denver and CU Denver.

  • The graduation rate at CU Denver is higher than Metropolitan State College of Denver (40% vs. 21%)
  • Graduates from University of Colorado Denver earn on average $25,600 more per year than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates after ten years. ($68,200 vs. $42,600)
  • University of Colorado Denver students graduate with a $3,060 lower median federal student loan debt than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($21,190 vs. $24,250)
  • CU Denver graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Metropolitan State College of Denver graduates. ($219 vs. $250)
  • More CU Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State College of Denver students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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