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Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN·Public·5,616 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and in-state Minnesota residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 5,616 students.

99%
Accept
5,616
Students
$16,863
Net Price
44%
Grad Rate
$51,700
Earnings
10 yr
$17,100
Debt

About This School

Metropolitan State University is a public institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota with approximately 5,616 undergraduate students enrolled. Metropolitan State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 99%. The average net price after financial aid is $16,863 per year. The graduation rate is 44%, and the typical graduate earns $51,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

Metro State University is a public university in the Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. It is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the 96% acceptance rate and low median debt of $12,900 make this an accessible, affordable option for students who need flexibility, and the $51,700 median earnings are reasonable for a public school at this price point. However, the 38% graduation rate is a serious concern — it signals that most students who start here don't finish, which is worth understanding before enrolling. This school is worth considering if you're a working adult or non-traditional student drawn to its urban Saint Paul location and practical programs, but you'll want a clear plan to stay on track.

Founded
1971
Setting
Large city
Avg Faculty Salary
$11,336

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing25%
Computer Science16%
Health Professions9%
Psychology9%
Biological Sciences3%
Education3%
Communications2%
Social Sciences2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Derek ChauvinSamuel Sam-SumanaKat Cammack

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1020

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$9,840
Out-of-State Tuition
$9,840
Avg Net Price
$16,863
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$15,238
$30–48k$16,656
$48–75k$16,659
$75–110k$18,994
$110k+$21,905

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants48%
Median debt at graduation$17,100

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
44%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
68%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$17,100
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$48,200
Female graduates$42,100

Gap: 13% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

What Each Major Actually Earns

Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.

Metropolitan State University graduates earn most above the national rate in Criminal Justice and Corrections ($64,481 vs $55,378 nationally), and most below it in Computer Science ($92,342 vs $107,009).

MajorGradsHereNationalDiff
Business Administration, Management and Operations245$71,209$68,257+$2,952
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other140$58,568$55,693+$2,875
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing107$83,504$88,910−$5,406
Computer Science105$92,342$107,009−$14,667
Psychology, General102$55,824$50,706+$5,118
Criminal Justice and Corrections83$64,481$55,378+$9,103
Social Work63$60,755$51,790+$8,965
Accounting and Related Services60$72,457$76,194−$3,737
Human Services, General53$51,009$48,597+$2,412
Computer and Information Sciences, General50$85,000$92,374−$7,374
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management50$83,558$85,063−$1,505
Finance and Financial Management Services47$74,237$83,343−$9,106

U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$17,100
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$44,600
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$51,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 3.0x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White33%
Black35%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian16%
Two or more races5%
International2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (5,616 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Metropolitan State University

700 East Seventh Street

Saint Paul, MN 55106-5000

View on Google Maps →

Schools Like This in Minnesota

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See How Colleges Compare

Metropolitan State University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Metropolitan State University?

Metropolitan State University has an acceptance rate of 99%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.

Is Metropolitan State University hard to get into?

Not especially. Metropolitan State University has an acceptance rate of 99%, so admissions are relatively accessible for applicants who meet the requirements.

How much does Metropolitan State University cost?

The average net price at Metropolitan State University is about $16,863 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.

What is the graduation rate at Metropolitan State University?

Metropolitan State University has a graduation rate of 44%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.

Sources & Methodology

Data

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.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • 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.
Trademarks

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