Metropolitan State University of Denver
Metropolitan State University of Denver — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Metropolitan State University of Denver at a Glance
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.
1965
61 years old
$26M
$26.2 million (2024)
18,336
17,111 undergrad · 1,225 grad
126 acres
Identity
Is Metropolitan State University of Denver Worth It?
At a value score of 26/100, Metropolitan State University of Denver is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,093 — 3% below average — while paying $15,327/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 31% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 99% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Metropolitan State University of Denver has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Metropolitan State University of Denver compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #80 of 94 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #80 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | 26 | $15,327 | $52,093 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Metropolitan State University of Denver's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in CO.
Best Programs at Metropolitan State University of Denver
The highest-earning program at Metropolitan State University of Denver is Computer Science at $66,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $22,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Metropolitan State University of Denver earns $66,200, while a Music graduate earns $22,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $25,975 in median debt vs. $31,000 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,327/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $66,200 | $66,200 | $25,975 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $61,000 | $61,000 | $25,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $56,300 | $56,300 | $26,870 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $53,200 | $53,200 | $31,165 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $53,100 | $53,100 | N/A |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $51,400 | $51,400 | $21,334 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $48,200 | $48,200 | $24,073 |
| Mathematics | $45,200 | $45,200 | $25,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,200 | $45,200 | $25,000 |
| Chemistry | $41,600 | $41,600 | $28,298 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $41,100 | $41,100 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $40,800 | $40,800 | $22,488 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $40,200 | $40,200 | $20,250 |
| Marketing | $40,000 | $40,000 | $22,314 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $39,800 | $39,800 | $26,872 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $39,600 | $39,600 | $29,363 |
| Air Transportation | $37,600 | $37,600 | $20,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $37,500 | $37,500 | $19,700 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $36,800 | $36,800 | $22,250 |
| Social Work | $36,200 | $36,200 | $23,285 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $35,800 | $35,800 | $26,432 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $35,600 | $35,600 | $30,063 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,300 | $34,300 | $21,177 |
| Human Services, General | $34,200 | $34,200 | $28,025 |
| Behavioral Sciences | $33,400 | $33,400 | $28,725 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $33,100 | $33,100 | $22,877 |
| Biology, General | $32,700 | $32,700 | $19,811 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,300 | $32,300 | $26,886 |
| Political Science and Government | $31,800 | $31,800 | $25,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,400 | $31,400 | $20,336 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $30,400 | $30,400 | $22,174 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $30,400 | $30,400 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $21,263 |
| History | $30,000 | $30,000 | $25,858 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $29,800 | $29,800 | $25,155 |
| Sociology | $29,800 | $29,800 | $25,717 |
| Journalism | $28,000 | $28,000 | $25,125 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,000 | $27,000 | $30,036 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $25,900 | $25,900 | $23,000 |
| Philosophy | $25,900 | $25,900 | $29,918 |
| Anthropology | $25,700 | $25,700 | $30,317 |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems | $24,900 | $24,900 | $22,526 |
| Music | $22,300 | $22,300 | $31,000 |
Similar Colleges in CO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Denver, CO
- Student Body
- 15,002 students
- Admission Rate
- 99%
- Graduation Rate
- 31%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,327
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $52,093
- Median Student Debt
- $21,500