Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Cleveland State

Deciding between Metropolitan State University of Denver and Cleveland State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Metropolitan State University of Denver
Cleveland State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
  • Cleveland State Cleveland, OH
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Large City
  • Cleveland State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 18,453
  • Cleveland State 14,074
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Public 4 Year
  • Cleveland State Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver #920
  • Cleveland State #784
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver -
  • Cleveland State -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Non-profit
  • Cleveland State Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Cleveland State
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $11,124
  • Cleveland State $12,988
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $30,684
  • Cleveland State $18,510
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $16,785
  • Cleveland State $15,104
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $14,584
  • Cleveland State $16,230
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,813
  • Cleveland State $9,795
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 65%
  • Cleveland State 90%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Calculate
  • Cleveland State Calculate
  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,622
  • Cleveland State 11,050
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,483
  • Cleveland State 10,089
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 98.8%
  • Cleveland State 91.3%
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 19.1%
  • Cleveland State 15.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1010
  • Cleveland State 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21
  • Cleveland State 21
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3.03
  • Cleveland State 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver B
  • Cleveland State B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Easy
  • Cleveland State Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Cleveland State
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26
  • Cleveland State 18/25
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130
  • Cleveland State 880/1130
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Test optional
  • Cleveland State Test-free
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027
  • Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1
  • Cleveland State 16:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
    • Business (21%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Cleveland State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (14%)
    • Health Professions (12%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21%
  • Cleveland State 30%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $42,600
  • Cleveland State $44,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 47%
  • Cleveland State 47%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $24,250
  • Cleveland State $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $250
  • Cleveland State $222
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 44%
  • Cleveland State 45%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 56%
  • Cleveland State 55%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver High
  • Cleveland State Medium
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver No
  • Cleveland State No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 58%
  • Cleveland State 64%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • Cleveland State 3%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 6%
  • Cleveland State 17%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 22%
  • Cleveland State 5%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1%
  • Cleveland State 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • Cleveland State 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • Cleveland State 3%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • Cleveland State 5%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • Cleveland State 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 97%
  • Cleveland State 94%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3%
  • Cleveland State 6%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with Cleveland State University in Cleveland, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than Cleveland State based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 14,074 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Cleveland State University is in Cleveland, OH (Large City setting).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Cleveland State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; Cleveland State University 16:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Cleveland State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Cleveland State? 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 of Denver than Cleveland State ($14,584 vs. $16,230).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cleveland State University are 10% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($15,104 vs. $16,785).
  • Cleveland State University is 16.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $1,864 more per year; $12,988.00 vs. $11,124.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 65.8% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Cleveland State University (about $12,174 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $18,510.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cleveland State University than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (90% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 0.2% larger than aid received by Cleveland State University students ($9,813 vs. $9,795).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Cleveland State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University of Denver or Cleveland State? 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 Cleveland State and Metropolitan State University of Denver.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010) is the same as at Cleveland State (1010).
  • Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at Cleveland State (21).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; Cleveland State University 880/1130.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; Cleveland State University 18/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; Cleveland State - Test-free.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; Cleveland State Aug 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Cleveland State students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than Cleveland State (91.3%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 15.7% at Cleveland State.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. Cleveland State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver and Cleveland State? 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).

  • Cleveland State University's six-year graduation rate (30%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
  • Graduates from Cleveland State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,200 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Cleveland State University graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($21,500 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Cleveland State graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($222 vs. $250).
  • More Cleveland State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 47%)

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.