Denver, CO · Private University
Is Metropolitan State University of Denver Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$52,093
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,780
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,503
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$118,012
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.77x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
29.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,294
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates earn $7,093 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Metropolitan State University of Denver ranked by graduate earnings
96 graduates
23 graduates
30 graduates
116 graduates
29 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Metropolitan State University of Denver
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Metropolitan State University of Denver, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $99,081) and the lowest (Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication: $32,175) is $66,906/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $99,081 | 3.4x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $78,965 | 2.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | $76,047 | 2.6x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $72,945 | 2.5x |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $71,326 | 2.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,699 | 2.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $69,537 | 2.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $64,453 | 2.2x |
| Mathematics | $60,567 | 2.0x |
| Air Transportation | $60,475 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,641 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $57,726 | 2.0x |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $56,618 | 1.9x |
| Chemistry | $54,367 | 1.8x |
| Sociology | $52,565 | 1.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $51,113 | 1.7x |
| Social Work | $50,031 | 1.7x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $49,202 | 1.7x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,873 | 1.7x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $48,554 | 1.6x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $48,439 | 1.6x |
| Biology, General | $46,814 | 1.6x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $46,387 | 1.6x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $45,799 | 1.6x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations(1yr data) | $45,767 | 1.6x |
| Nutrition Sciences | $45,546 | 1.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $45,480 | 1.5x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $45,468 | 1.5x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $45,385 | 1.5x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $44,861 | 1.5x |
| Political Science and Government | $44,120 | 1.5x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $43,488 | 1.5x |
| Journalism | $43,388 | 1.5x |
| Human Services, General | $42,319 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas(1yr data) | $41,954 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,899 | 1.4x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $41,630 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,406 | 1.4x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $41,102 | 1.4x |
| Psychology, General | $40,886 | 1.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods(1yr data) | $40,681 | 1.4x |
| Anthropology | $37,818 | 1.3x |
| History | $37,394 | 1.3x |
| Music | $35,697 | 1.2x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $34,906 | 1.2x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $34,498 | 1.2x |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems | $34,261 | 1.2x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationLowest | $32,175 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Metropolitan State University of Denver offers solid financial returns relative to its cost. Graduates earn $52,093 10 years after starting, $7,093 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 6.9 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.