Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Metropolitan State University of Denver
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is a public university in Fort Collins, CO. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public university in Denver, CO. Colorado State University-Fort Collins admits about 89% of applicants and Metropolitan State University of Denver about 99%, making Colorado State University-Fort Collins the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $15,327 a year at Metropolitan State University of Denver after aid, and about $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. About 67% of students graduate at Colorado State University-Fort Collins, compared with 31% at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Ten years after enrolling, Colorado State University-Fort Collins alumni earn a median of about $60,543, against $52,093 for Metropolitan State University of Denver.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Denver, CO
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
25,538
15,002
Acceptance rate
89%
99%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.31–3.81
~2.71 avg
SAT (middle 50%)
1080–1290
880–1130
ACT (middle 50%)
23–29
17–26
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$21,279
$15,327
Full cost / yr
$31,642
$24,622
In-state tuition
$13,373
$11,124
Out-of-state tuition
$34,783
$30,684
Application fee
$50
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$13,259
$12,481
$30k - $48k
$14,460
$12,436
$48k - $75k
$15,905
$14,927
$75k - $110k
$21,927
$19,539
Over $110k
$29,763
$23,822
Outcomes
Graduation rate
67%
31%
Freshman retention
86%
63%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$49,748
$45,391
Median earnings (10 yr)
$60,543
$52,093
Median debt at graduation
$20,000
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
21%
36%
First-generation students
24%
40%
International students
2%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Metropolitan State University of Denver harder to get into?
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins is harder to get into. It admits about 89% of applicants, compared with 99% at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Metropolitan State University of Denver?
- Metropolitan State University of Denver is cheaper on average. Students pay about $15,327 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and Metropolitan State University of Denver?
- Before aid, Metropolitan State University of Denver costs about $24,622 a year and Colorado State University-Fort Collins about $31,642. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Metropolitan State University of Denver?
- Metropolitan State University of Denver. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $12,481 there, against about $13,259 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Metropolitan State University of Denver?
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins is the larger of the two, with about 25,538 undergraduates against 15,002 at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
- Does Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Metropolitan State University of Denver have a better graduation rate?
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins has the higher graduation rate, at about 67% against 31% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
- Do graduates of Colorado State University-Fort Collins or Metropolitan State University of Denver earn more?
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins alumni earn more on average: a median of about $60,543 ten years after enrolling, against about $52,093 for Metropolitan State University of Denver. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Colorado State University-Fort Collins and Metropolitan State University of Denver require SAT or ACT scores?
- Colorado State University-Fort Collins is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Metropolitan State University of Denver is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Colorado State University-Fort Collins and Metropolitan State University of Denver look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1080–1290 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and 880–1130 at Metropolitan State University of Denver. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs University of Colorado BoulderColorado State University-Fort Collins vs Colorado Technical University-Colorado SpringsMetropolitan State University of Denver vs University of Colorado BoulderMetropolitan State University of Denver vs Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school