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What Matters Most

At Metropolitan State University of Denver, we believe the best university is the one that fits your needs — your goals, your budget, your schedule and the support you need to succeed.

Nursing students reviewing coursework.We measure success not by who we exclude, but by the opportunities we create and the success of our graduates. While rankings can provide one perspective, we believe affordability, career outcomes, community impact and social mobility offer a more complete picture of university value.

Students come to º£½ÇÉçÇø because we make higher education accessible and affordable. We offer hands-on learning and classes taught by faculty with real-world experience and strong community and industry connections.

The recognitions, outcomes and distinctions below reflect how º£½ÇÉçÇø delivers on its mission of expanding opportunity and preparing graduates for career and community impact.

Creating opportunity

º£½ÇÉçÇø is recognized for helping students succeed in college and beyond:

  • #1 in Colorado for social mobility — CollegeNET’s Social Mobility Index
  • Carnegie Community Engagement Classification — national recognition for serving the public good
  • Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award
  • Career Connected Campus designation — Colorado Department of Higher Education
  • Top 100 Colleges for Vets — Military Times
  • First in Colorado to offer Immigrant and LGBTQ student servicesÌý

Accessible and affordable education

º£½ÇÉçÇø was founded on the belief that higher education should beÌýaccessibleÌýtoÌýall who want it.Ìý

The University continues that mission by reducing financial barriers andÌýoffering individualizedÌýstudentÌýsupport.Ìý

  • Average annual out-of-pocket tuition and fees for in-state studentsÌý≈Ìý$2,600.Ìý
  • Nearly 60%ÌýofÌýundergraduatesÌýreceive scholarships or grants.Ìý
  • 31% ofÌýundergraduatesÌýhad tuition and fees fully covered in 2024-25.Ìý
  • 1,656 high school students earnedÌýcollege credit through dual enrollment programsÌýin 2024-25.Ìý

Programs such as Roadrunner Promise andÌýTuitionÌýLockÌýhelp ensure that students can pursue a degree with confidenceÌýaboutÌýcost and value

Connecting students to careers

º£½ÇÉçÇø focuses on preparing students for careers that support long-term economic mobility.ÌýThe Classroom to Career HubÌýconnectsÌýstudents with experiences,ÌýmentorsÌýandÌýemployersÌýthrough internships and work-basedÌýlearning. Health Professions students gather on Auraria Campus.

Career planning initiatives such asÌýMajor MilestonesÌýhelp students map academic pathwaysÌýand explore careersÌýalongsideÌýexperientialÌýlearning, which supports job placement and careerÌýreadiness.Ìý

Career outcomes by the numbers

2,682

Students gained real-world experience through internships or work-based learning in 2024-25.

91%

Of graduates that are employed, in graduate school or serving in the military within six months.

$30,888

º£½ÇÉçÇø graduates earn an average of $30,888 more annually than those with only a high school diploma.

Community impact

º£½ÇÉçÇø students, alumni and programs strengthen communities and industries across ColoradoÌýand beyond. Through partnerships with employers,ÌýnonprofitsÌýand public agencies,ÌýweÌýaddress workforce needs and community challenges.Ìý

  • $953.8 million in annual statewide economic impact
  • $11.52 returned to Colorado’s economy for every $1 invested by the state
  • 77% of º£½ÇÉçÇø alumni live and work in Colorado, creating a strong alumni network and contributing to the state’s workforce needs.Ìý
  • Call Me MISTERÌýprogram prepares men to serve as educators and role modelsÌýacross Denver’s urban schools.Ìý
  • Our curriculum and real-world internship and work opportunitiesÌýareÌýinformed by partnerships with dozens of industry leaders.ÌýÌý

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What makes º£½ÇÉçÇø different

Many º£½ÇÉçÇø programs were developed in partnership with industry and community leaders to address workforce needs and create distinctive learning opportunities. Those include:Ìý

  • UndergraduateÌýscientificÌýresearch through the Bonham Research LaboratoryÌý

Not to mention access to world-class faculty with real-world experienceÌý—Ìýwho teach every class, not teaching assistants.Ìý

Excellence in teaching and hands-on learning

º£½ÇÉçÇø is a teaching-focused university where students build meaningful relationships with faculty and Students in the classroom. gain hands-on learning experiences they can apply beyond the classroom.Ìý

Faculty bring professionalÌýexpertiseÌýand industryÌýpartnershipsÌýthat help students connectÌýhigher educationÌýto real-world challenges and opportunities.Ìý

  • 100% of classes taught by faculty, who bring academic expertise, real-world experience and professional connections into the classroom
  • 95% of faculty hold the highest degree in their field
  • Students gain opportunities toÌýparticipateÌýin undergraduate research, community-basedÌýlearningÌýandÌýStudyÌýAbroad programs.Ìý

Vibrant campus community

º£½ÇÉçÇøâ€™s downtown location provides students with access to one of the nation’s most dynamic economic and cultural centers. Students walking through Auraria Campus in between classes.

  • , º£½ÇÉçÇø combines downtown access and urban vibrancy. Ìý
  • Thousands of nearby employers and direct access to internships, networking, and cultural institutions. Ìý
  • 14 NCAA Division II teams competing in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Ìý
  • Soon-to-be on-campus housing. Ìý
  • ≈ 200 clubs and student organizations.Ìý
  • Outdoor recreation and Rocky Mountain access just beyond the city. Ìý