Metropolitan State University vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Metropolitan State University is larger than CUW based on total student enrollment (6,660 students vs. 5,253 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Metropolitan State University is located in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Metropolitan State University 15:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

Metropolitan State University vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Metropolitan State University or CUW? 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 CUW ($16,615 vs. $31,916).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Wisconsin are 16.8% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($13,200 vs. $15,864).
• Concordia University Wisconsin is 260.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Metropolitan State University (about $25,630 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 260.5% higher at CUW than at Metropolitan State University (about $25,630 more per year; $35,470.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at Metropolitan State University (99% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students is 150.4% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($21,379 vs. $8,538).

Metropolitan State University vs. CUW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Metropolitan State University or CUW? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CUW and Metropolitan State University.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresConcordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Metropolitan State University - Test optional; CUW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than CUW (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.8% at Metropolitan State University vs. 14.1% at CUW.

Metropolitan State University vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Metropolitan State University and CUW? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Concordia University Wisconsin's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than CUW graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have a $5,933 lower median loan debt than CUW graduates ($17,992 vs. $23,925).
• Among borrowers, Metropolitan State University graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CUW graduates ($186 vs. $247).
• More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 52%)

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.