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Metropolitan State University of Denver

MSU Denver

Denver, Colorado 80217-3362

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution in Denver with particular strength in business and psychology. With an average SAT of 1014, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A large campus of 14.9K undergraduates with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

30% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $52,093 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,294.

Established
1965
Motto
"Changemakers Wanted" On Seal: "Excellence in Teaching and Learning"
Mascot
Rowdy the Roadrunner
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

122 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Visit

Plan Your Visit

99%Acceptance
1014SAT Avg
14,932Students
14:1Student:Faculty
30%Grad Rate
$52,093Earnings 10yr
$14,294Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate99.1%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1014

Reading & WritingMid: 520
450570
MathMid: 505
430540

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 21
1723

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

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,780
Tuition (out-of-state)$29,503
Books & Supplies$1,460
Total Cost of Attendance$22,825
Average Net Price$14,294
Median Debt at Graduation$21,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$228

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,364
$30–48K$12,005
$48–75K$13,276
$75–110K$19,263
$110K+$21,812

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

70.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

7.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

114

Peer Average

92

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

29

Burglary

6

Aggravated Assault

4

Robbery

10

Motor Vehicle Theft

12

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

30

Drug Arrests

22

Liquor Arrests

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

Programs (101)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

70%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
14,932
Gender Split
55% / 45%
Women / Men
First Generation
40%
Pell Grant Recipients
35%

Race & Ethnicity

White 43%
Black 8%
Hispanic 37%
Asian 4%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate29.9%
Freshman Retention70.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,391
10 Years$52,093

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

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Basketball nationalSoccer nationalLacrosse

History & Fun Facts

  • History The MSU Denver Jordan Student Success Building opened to students during the Spring 2012 semester Metropolitan State University of Denver was founded in 1965 as an opportunity school.
  • MSU Denver was the first university to advocate for DREAMers to have a chance at higher education by providing in-state tuition rates under the ASSET bill, signed by then Gov.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

121High

Estimated from CO state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Denverpop. 710K
1 mi(2 min)
Salt Lake Citypop. 200K
370 mi(641 min)
Kansas Citypop. 500K
558 mi(967 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

DEN Denver19 mi
ABQ Albuquerque337 mi
SLC Salt Lake City375 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1766 mi · ~51h 1m drive
New York, NY1628 mi · ~47h 2m drive
Hartford, CT1688 mi · ~48h 46m drive
Providence, RI1752 mi · ~50h 37m drive
Albany, NY1628 mi · ~47h 2m drive
Syracuse, NY1505 mi · ~43h 29m drive
Rochester, NY1432 mi · ~41h 22m drive
Buffalo, NY1367 mi · ~39h 29m drive
Philadelphia, PA1576 mi · ~45h 32m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1318 mi · ~38h 5m drive
Harrisburg, PA1482 mi · ~42h 49m drive
Newark, NJ1619 mi · ~46h 46m drive
Washington, DC1490 mi · ~43h 3m drive
Baltimore, MD1507 mi · ~43h 32m drive
Atlanta, GA1211 mi · ~34h 59m drive
Charlotte, NC1356 mi · ~39h 10m drive
Raleigh, NC1461 mi · ~42h 12m drive
Miami, FL1726 mi · ~49h 52m drive
Orlando, FL1550 mi · ~44h 47m drive
Tampa, FL1522 mi · ~43h 58m drive
Nashville, TN1021 mi · ~29h 30m drive
New Orleans, LA1081 mi · ~31h 14m drive
Richmond, VA1490 mi · ~43h 3m drive
Chicago, IL919 mi · ~26h 33m drive
Detroit, MI1155 mi · ~33h 22m drive
Minneapolis, MN699 mi · ~20h 12m drive
St. Louis, MO796 mi · ~23h drive
Kansas City, MO558 mi · ~16h 7m drive
Indianapolis, IN999 mi · ~28h 52m drive
Columbus, OH1164 mi · ~33h 38m drive
Cleveland, OH1225 mi · ~35h 23m drive
Milwaukee, WI913 mi · ~26h 23m drive
Dallas, TX663 mi · ~19h 9m drive
Houston, TX879 mi · ~25h 24m drive
Austin, TX772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
San Antonio, TX803 mi · ~23h 12m drive
Los Angeles, CA829 mi · ~23h 57m drive
San Francisco, CA947 mi · ~27h 21m drive
San Diego, CA832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Seattle, WA1019 mi · ~29h 26m drive
Portland, OR980 mi · ~28h 19m drive
Denver, CO1 mi · ~2 min drive
Phoenix, AZ585 mi · ~16h 54m drive
Salt Lake City, UT370 mi · ~10h 41m drive
Honolulu, HI3339 mi · ~96h 28m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Metropolitan State University of Denver Application Checklist

Decision Notifications