Metropolitan State University of Denver
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. graduation rate is below 40%; freshman retention is below 65%. a public school with 15,002 students.
About This School
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado with approximately 15,002 undergraduate students enrolled. Metropolitan State University of Denver has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 99%. The average net price after financial aid is $15,327 per year. The graduation rate is 32%, and the typical graduate earns $44,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public university in Denver, Colorado, United States. It is located on the Auraria Campus, along with the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Denver, in downtown Denver, adjacent to Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue. In the fall 2025 semester, MSU Denver had an enrollment of 17,111 undergraduate students and 1,225 graduate students.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: at $14,294/year average net cost and just $12,500 in median debt at graduation, MSU Denver is genuinely affordable, and its open-access mission (99% acceptance rate) makes it a real option for students who need a path into college. The concern worth taking seriously is the 30% graduation rate — most students who start here don't finish, which means you'll need to be intentional about support resources and staying on track. If you're a working adult, career-changer, or first-generation student in the Denver area who needs flexibility and low cost, this can work — but go in with a clear plan.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (15,002 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Speer Blvd and Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80217-3362
Official Links
Other Schools in Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · Public
Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO · Private for-profit
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public
Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO · Public
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver, CO · Public
Pikes Peak State College
Colorado Springs, CO · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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