Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UHCL

Deciding between Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Houston Clear Lake? 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

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

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
  • UHCL Houston, TX
  • Setting
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Large City
  • UHCL Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 18,453
  • UHCL 8,137
  • Type
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Public 4 Year
  • UHCL Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver #920
  • UHCL
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver -
  • UHCL -
  • Status
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Non-profit
  • UHCL Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • UHCL
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $11,124
  • UHCL $7,770
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $30,684
  • UHCL $21,114
  • Room & Board
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $16,785
  • UHCL $12,642
  • Average Net Price
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $14,584
  • UHCL $14,059
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $9,813
  • UHCL $12,630
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 65%
  • UHCL 76%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,622
  • UHCL 2,352
  • Admitted
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 11,483
  • UHCL 2,129
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 98.8%
  • UHCL 90.5%
  • Enrolled
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 19.1%
  • UHCL 22.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1010
  • UHCL 1060
  • Typical ACT score
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21
  • UHCL 22
  • Average High School GPA
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3.03
  • UHCL 3.39
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver B
  • UHCL B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Easy
  • UHCL Very Easy
  • Applicant Competition
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • UHCL
  • ACT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26
  • UHCL 20/25
  • SAT Range
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130
  • UHCL 970/1150
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Test optional
  • UHCL Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027
  • UHCL Jun 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1
  • UHCL 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%)
  • UHCL
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 21%
  • UHCL -
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $42,600
  • UHCL $53,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 47%
  • UHCL 56%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $24,250
  • UHCL $17,150
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver $250
  • UHCL $177
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 44%
  • UHCL 38%
  • % Women
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 56%
  • UHCL 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver High
  • UHCL High
  • HBCU
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver No
  • UHCL No
  • % White
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 58%
  • UHCL 43%
  • % Asian
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • UHCL 6%
  • % Black
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 6%
  • UHCL 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 22%
  • UHCL 36%
  • % Native American
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 1%
  • UHCL 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • UHCL 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • UHCL 3%
  • % International
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 0%
  • UHCL 2%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 4%
  • UHCL 1%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 97%
  • UHCL 98%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver 3%
  • UHCL 1%
  • Campus

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

Comparable Facts

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

Metropolitan State University of Denver is larger than UHCL based on total student enrollment (18,453 students vs. 8,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); University of Houston Clear Lake is in Houston, TX (Large Suburban setting).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Clear Lake is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University of Denver 14:1; University of Houston Clear Lake 15:1.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UHCL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University of Denver or UHCL? 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 University of Houston Clear Lake than Metropolitan State University of Denver ($14,059 vs. $14,584).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Clear Lake are 24.7% lower than at Metropolitan State University of Denver ($12,642 vs. $16,785).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver is 43.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UHCL (about $3,354 more per year; $11,124.00 vs. $7,770.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 45.3% higher at Metropolitan State University of Denver than at University of Houston Clear Lake (about $9,570 more per year; $30,684.00 vs. $21,114.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Houston Clear Lake than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (76% vs. 65%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston Clear Lake students is 28.7% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University of Denver students ($12,630 vs. $9,813).

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UHCL Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston Clear Lake (1060) is 50 points higher than at Metropolitan State University of Denver (1010).
  • Incoming UHCL students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Metropolitan State University of Denver).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 880/1130; University of Houston Clear Lake 970/1150.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Metropolitan State University of Denver 17/26; University of Houston Clear Lake 20/25.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University of Denver - Test optional; UHCL - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University of Denver Jul 1, 2027; UHCL Jun 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman UHCL students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (3.03).
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver has a higher acceptance rate (98.8%) than UHCL (90.5%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. 22.2% at UHCL.

Metropolitan State University of Denver vs. UHCL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University of Denver and UHCL? 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 University of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Clear Lake graduates have a $7,100 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($17,150 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, UHCL graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates ($177 vs. $250).
  • More UHCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University of Denver students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.