Overview
Enrollment
Metropolitan State College of Denver (MSU Denver) occupies an urban campus in downtown Denver, sharing the Auraria Higher Education Center with two other institutions. Located in the heart of Denver's cultural district, the campus provides direct access to the city's business district, government offices, and cultural venues. The institution, established in 1965, operates as a public university primarily serving commuter students from the Denver metropolitan area. MSU Denver maintains a modified open enrollment policy and offers undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strengths in aviation, teaching, social work, and business. The campus features modern classroom buildings, specialized aviation facilities, and laboratory spaces, though most students commute rather than live on campus.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Metropolitan State College of Denver is rated within the lower 28% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 3 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Metropolitan State College of Denver within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#963 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#395 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#13 in Best Colleges in Colorado
#10 in Best Public Colleges in Colorado
#26 in Best Value Colleges in Colorado
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 880/1110 |
| ACT | 17/23 |
| GPA | 3.03 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Colorado Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,460 |
| Other Fees | $1,912 |
| Estimated Off Campus Cost of Living | $14,679 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,120 |
| Total One Year Cost | $33,039 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,460 |
| Other Fees | $1,912 |
| Estimated Off Campus Cost of Living | $14,679 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,120 |
| Total One Year Cost | $51,762 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 21% |
| General Studies | 9% |
| Psychology | 8% |
| English and Literature | 8% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 6% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Metropolitan State College of Denver are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=127565 IPEDS survey data for Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Current students may use the Metropolitan State College of Denver GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025