Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. ECU

Deciding between Metropolitan State University of Denver and East Central 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
East Central University

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
  • ECU Ada, OK
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Large City
  • ECU Remote Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 18,453
  • ECU 3,377
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Public 4 Year
  • ECU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver #920
  • ECU #859
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver -
  • ECU -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Non-profit
  • ECU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • ECU
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $11,124
  • ECU $8,032
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $30,684
  • ECU $17,842
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $16,785
  • ECU $8,516
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $14,584
  • ECU $8,565
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,813
  • ECU $9,255
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 65%
  • ECU 91%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,622
  • ECU 2,148
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,483
  • ECU 1,249
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 98.8%
  • ECU 58.1%
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 19.1%
  • ECU 42.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1010
  • ECU 1010
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21
  • ECU 20
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3.03
  • ECU 3.31
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver B
  • ECU B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Easy
  • ECU Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • ECU Low
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26
  • ECU 17/24
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130
  • ECU 900/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Test optional
  • ECU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027
  • ECU
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1
  • ECU 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
    • Business (21%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • ECU
    • Human Services (14%)
    • Health Professions (13%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Education (11%)
    • Biology (7%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21%
  • ECU 34%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $42,600
  • ECU $40,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 47%
  • ECU 45%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $24,250
  • ECU $16,878
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $250
  • ECU $174
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 44%
  • ECU 38%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 56%
  • ECU 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver High
  • ECU High
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver No
  • ECU No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 58%
  • ECU 55%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • ECU 0%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 6%
  • ECU 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 22%
  • ECU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1%
  • ECU 14%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • ECU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • ECU 10%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • ECU 10%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • ECU 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 97%
  • ECU 81%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3%
  • ECU 12%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; East Central University 18:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or ECU? 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 East Central University than Metropolitan State University of Denver ($8,565 vs. $14,584).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 49.3% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($8,516 vs. $16,785).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is 38.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $3,092 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $8,032.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 72% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at East Central University (about $12,842 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $17,842.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (91% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 6% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($9,813 vs. $9,255).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010) is the same as at ECU (1010).
  • Incoming Metropolitan State University of Denver students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at ECU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; East Central University 900/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; East Central University 17/24.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman ECU 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 ECU (58.1%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 42.4% at ECU.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • East Central University's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $7,372 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($16,878 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($174 vs. $250).
  • More Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 45%)

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.