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Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55106-5000

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Campus Vibe

Mid-SizeUrbanPublicBusiness Focus

Known for business

Metropolitan State University is a public institution in Saint Paul with particular strength in business and computer science. With an average SAT of 1020, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 5K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

38% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $64,705 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $19,181.

Established
1971
Motto
Where life and learning meet
Type
Public university

Plan Your Visit

96%Acceptance
1020SAT Avg
4,998Students
14:1Student:Faculty
38%Grad Rate
$64,705Earnings 10yr
$19,181Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Metropolitan State University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate96.5%

ACT Score Range

Composite
1623

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

96.5%

Trend

SAT Avg

1020

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,780
Tuition (out-of-state)$9,780
Books & Supplies$1,500
Total Cost of Attendance$26,057
Average Net Price$19,181
Median Debt at Graduation$17,100
Monthly Payment (10yr)$181

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$17,714
$30–48K$18,480
$48–75K$18,128
$75–110K$22,145
$110K+$26,057

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

66.3%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,900

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

37

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

10

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

4

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

10

Drug Arrests

7

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (82)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Negative
  • 73% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
4,998
Gender Split
58% / 42%
Women / Men
First Generation
37%
Pell Grant Recipients
44%

Race & Ethnicity

White 36%
Black 32%
Hispanic 8%
Asian 17%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate38.4%
Freshman Retention73.3%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$54,828
10 Years$64,705

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#45
2
vs 2024
Forbes
#52
1
vs 2024
Niche
#38
3
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • Sweet was appointed the university's first president and the school, with offices above a drugstore in downtown St.
  • The university began admitting freshmen and sophomores and adopted general education requirements and a grading policy with grade point averages in 1994.
  • In 1992, the main campus moved to the Dayton's Bluff section of east Saint Paul.
  • During the 2009–2010 school year, Metro State enrolled 6,000 full-time equivalent students.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul9 mi
MKE Milwaukee293 mi
ORD Chicago O'Hare331 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1111 mi · ~32h 6m drive
New York, NY1007 mi · ~29h 5m drive
Hartford, CT1045 mi · ~30h 11m drive
Providence, RI1105 mi · ~31h 55m drive
Albany, NY974 mi · ~28h 8m drive
Syracuse, NY850 mi · ~24h 33m drive
Rochester, NY777 mi · ~22h 27m drive
Buffalo, NY720 mi · ~20h 48m drive
Philadelphia, PA974 mi · ~28h 8m drive
Pittsburgh, PA733 mi · ~21h 11m drive
Harrisburg, PA883 mi · ~25h 31m drive
Newark, NJ998 mi · ~28h 50m drive
Washington, DC922 mi · ~26h 38m drive
Baltimore, MD928 mi · ~26h 49m drive
Atlanta, GA902 mi · ~26h 3m drive
Charlotte, NC931 mi · ~26h 54m drive
Raleigh, NC987 mi · ~28h 31m drive
Miami, FL1508 mi · ~43h 34m drive
Orlando, FL1303 mi · ~37h 39m drive
Tampa, FL1312 mi · ~37h 54m drive
Nashville, TN691 mi · ~19h 58m drive
New Orleans, LA1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Richmond, VA958 mi · ~27h 41m drive
Chicago, IL346 mi · ~10h drive
Detroit, MI533 mi · ~15h 24m drive
Minneapolis, MN9 mi · ~16 min drive
St. Louis, MO462 mi · ~13h 21m drive
Kansas City, MO412 mi · ~11h 54m drive
Indianapolis, IN503 mi · ~14h 32m drive
Columbus, OH618 mi · ~17h 51m drive
Cleveland, OH620 mi · ~17h 55m drive
Milwaukee, WI289 mi · ~8h 21m drive
Dallas, TX865 mi · ~24h 59m drive
Houston, TX1057 mi · ~30h 32m drive
Austin, TX1046 mi · ~30h 13m drive
San Antonio, TX1113 mi · ~32h 9m drive
Los Angeles, CA1530 mi · ~44h 12m drive
San Francisco, CA1590 mi · ~45h 56m drive
San Diego, CA1539 mi · ~44h 28m drive
Seattle, WA1401 mi · ~40h 28m drive
Portland, OR1433 mi · ~41h 24m drive
Denver, CO706 mi · ~20h 24m drive
Phoenix, AZ1286 mi · ~37h 9m drive
Salt Lake City, UT994 mi · ~28h 43m drive
Honolulu, HI3971 mi · ~114h 43m drive
Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP)9 miles
Rental car
14 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
18 min$11-18
Milwaukee (MKE)293 miles
Rental car
440 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
586 min$352-586

Deadline Calendar

Metropolitan State University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

Metropolitan State University — v2 Preview — TourStack