Students at Metropolitan State University of Denver benefit from predictable, affordable pricing that makes higher education accessible without excessive debt burdens.
The university provides a practical pathway to middle-class careers, particularly for first-generation students and working adults seeking flexible degree completion options.
Metropolitan State University of Denver serves as a vital access point for higher education in Colorado, combining affordability with practical career preparation. As a large public university in Denver, MSU Denver enrolls significant numbers of first-generation students (40%) and Pell Grant recipients (35%), reflecting its mission to serve diverse learners including many transfer students who represent about 17% of the student body.
The university delivers solid long-term outcomes with graduates earning a median of $52,093 ten years after enrollment, placing it in the middle range nationally for earnings performance. What distinguishes MSU Denver is its role as an affordable pathway to middle-class careers, with net prices that remain manageable across income levels and debt loads that align well with typical graduate earnings.
Located in Colorado's economic hub, MSU Denver offers students access to internships, job opportunities, and professional networks throughout the Denver metropolitan area. The university's practical focus on career preparation, combined with its commitment to accessibility and affordability, makes it a reliable choice for students seeking economic mobility through higher education. While not among the highest-earning institutions nationally, MSU Denver consistently delivers value through its combination of reasonable costs, diverse program offerings, and strong regional employer connections.
Metropolitan State University of Denver's program portfolio reflects its practical mission of preparing students for Colorado's diverse economy. Computer Science emerges as the clear earnings leader, with 85 graduates earning around $72,790 early in their careers, demonstrating strong demand for technical skills in Denver's growing technology sector. This program represents excellent value given the university's affordable tuition structure and the high earning potential in Colorado's tech industry.
Business Administration and Management serves as the university's flagship program, combining high enrollment with solid returns through 172 graduates earning median salaries of $44,691. This program's success reflects MSU Denver's strength in practical business education and its connections to Denver's corporate community. Behavioral Neuroscience, while the largest program by enrollment with 207 graduates, shows more modest earnings at $33,119, typical for psychology-related fields that often serve as stepping stones to graduate education or specialized careers in healthcare and social services.
The university's program mix emphasizes accessible, career-focused education rather than highly specialized or research-intensive fields. This approach aligns well with MSU Denver's mission of serving working adults, transfer students, and first-generation learners who seek practical skills and direct pathways to employment. Students considering MSU Denver should focus on programs like computer science and business that offer the strongest earning potential, while understanding that fields like behavioral neuroscience may require additional education for optimal career outcomes.
Metropolitan State University of Denver graduates achieve solid middle-class earnings that provide a stable foundation for long-term financial security. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $52,093, with the university showing modest earnings beyond expectations of about $1,840 compared with similar institutions. This performance places MSU Denver in the middle range nationally, reflecting its focus on practical career preparation rather than premium outcomes.
Program choice significantly influences earning potential at MSU Denver. Computer Science stands out as the highest-earning major, with graduates earning around $72,790 early in their careers, demonstrating the strong demand for technical skills in Colorado's growing tech sector. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest high-return program with 172 graduates, produces median earnings of $44,691 and represents the institution's strength in preparing students for management and entrepreneurial roles. Behavioral Neuroscience, while the largest program by enrollment with 207 graduates, shows more modest earnings at $33,119, typical for psychology-related fields that often require additional education for higher-paying positions.
The university's location in Denver provides graduates with access to a diverse regional economy spanning technology, healthcare, finance, and government sectors. With Colorado's cost of living running somewhat above national averages, the earnings levels achieved by MSU Denver graduates provide reasonable purchasing power for establishing careers in the Denver metropolitan area, though students should consider their field of study carefully when evaluating long-term financial prospects.
Metropolitan State University of Denver maintains strong affordability across all income levels, making higher education accessible to a broad range of Colorado families. Low-income students pay approximately $12,364 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $13,276 per year, both representing solid value compared with many public universities. Even high-income families face predictable costs at $21,812 annually, reflecting the university's commitment to transparent, accessible pricing.
The university's debt structure supports sustainable borrowing for most students. Typical graduates leave with about $21,500 in federal student loan debt, a manageable amount given the median earnings of $52,093 achieved ten years after enrollment. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $14,192, representing a moderate level of family contribution that many households can handle without excessive strain. The combination of reasonable net prices and controlled debt levels creates a financial framework that aligns well with the career outcomes MSU Denver graduates typically achieve.
What makes MSU Denver particularly sustainable financially is how the costs match the institution's mission and outcomes. As a university focused on providing practical career preparation rather than premium outcomes, the pricing structure reflects this positioning. Students can expect to graduate with debt levels that are proportionate to their likely earnings, creating a realistic path to financial stability rather than placing families at risk through excessive borrowing.
Metropolitan State University Of Denver Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
