Orion Technical College vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

Compare Orion Technical College in Davenport, IA with Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University is larger than Orion Technical College based on total student enrollment (6,660 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Orion Technical College is located in Davenport, IA (Small City setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Orion Technical College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Orion Technical College 6:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

Orion Technical College vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Orion Technical College or Metropolitan State University? 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 than Orion Technical College ($16,615 vs. $27,001).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orion Technical College are 30.9% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($10,956 vs. $15,864).
• Orion Technical College is 58.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $5,760 more per year; $15,600.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.5% higher at Orion Technical College than at Metropolitan State University (about $5,760 more per year; $15,600.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at Orion Technical College (82% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 77.8% larger than aid received by Orion Technical College students ($8,538 vs. $4,802).

Orion Technical College vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Orion Technical College or Metropolitan State University? 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 and Orion Technical College.

• Orion Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Orion Technical College - Open admission; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.

Orion Technical College vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Orion Technical College and Metropolitan State University? 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).

• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Orion Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have a $8,492 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates ($9,500 vs. $17,992).
• Among borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University graduates ($98 vs. $186).
• More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Orion Technical College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 33%)

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.