Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. RIC

Deciding between Metropolitan State University of Denver and Rhode Island College? 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
Rhode Island College

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
  • RIC Providence, RI
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Large City
  • RIC Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 18,453
  • RIC 6,155
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Public 4 Year
  • RIC Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver #920
  • RIC #843
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver -
  • RIC -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Non-profit
  • RIC Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • RIC

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $11,124
  • RIC $11,300
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $30,684
  • RIC $27,299
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $16,785
  • RIC $13,414
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $14,584
  • RIC $10,346
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,813
  • RIC $6,706
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 65%
  • RIC 95%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,622
  • RIC 5,415
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,483
  • RIC 4,972
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 98.8%
  • RIC 91.8%
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 19.1%
  • RIC 23.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1010
  • RIC 1000
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21
  • RIC
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3.03
  • RIC 3.08
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver B
  • RIC B
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Easy
  • RIC Extremely Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • RIC
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26
  • RIC
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130
  • RIC 870/1120
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Test optional
  • RIC Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027
  • RIC Mar 15, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1
  • RIC 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
    • Business (21%)
    • General Studies (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • RIC
    • Education (21%)
    • Business (17%)
    • Psychology (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21%
  • RIC 44%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $42,600
  • RIC $42,000
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 47%
  • RIC 59%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $24,250
  • RIC $21,200
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $250
  • RIC $219

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 44%
  • RIC 30%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 56%
  • RIC 70%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver High
  • RIC Medium
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver No
  • RIC No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 58%
  • RIC 62%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • RIC 3%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 6%
  • RIC 8%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 22%
  • RIC 16%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • RIC 2%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • RIC 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • RIC 8%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 97%
  • RIC 87%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3%
  • RIC 13%

  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University of Denver in Denver, CO with Rhode Island College in Providence, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than RIC based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 6,155 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); Rhode Island College is in Providence, RI (Large Suburban setting).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rhode Island College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; Rhode Island College 15:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. RIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or RIC? 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 Rhode Island College than Metropolitan State University of Denver ($10,346 vs. $14,584).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rhode Island College are 20.1% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($13,414 vs. $16,785).
  • Rhode Island College is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University of Denver (about $176 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $11,124.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.4% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at Rhode Island College (about $3,385 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $27,299.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rhode Island College than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (95% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Rhode Island College students ($9,813 vs. $6,706).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. RIC Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010) is 10 points higher than at RIC (1000).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; Rhode Island College 870/1120.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; RIC - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; RIC Mar 15, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman RIC students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.08) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than RIC (91.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 23.1% at RIC.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. RIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • Rhode Island College's six-year graduation rate (44%) is higher than Metropolitan State University of Denver's (21%).
  • Graduates from Metropolitan State University of Denver earn a median of about $600 more per year than RIC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,600 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Rhode Island College graduates have a $3,050 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($21,200 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, RIC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($219 vs. $250).
  • More RIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.