Metropolitan State College of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver: Academics, Admissions & Tuition

Learn about Metropolitan State University of Denver. Read about its admission info, financial aid and degree programs to make an informed education decision.

About Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver, commonly referred to as MSU Denver or Metro State, was founded in 1965 and is located within the mile-high city of Denver. The college is notable among Colorado's educational institutions as being a leader toward supporting diversity in making education accessible for disabled students. MSU Denver provides adaptive technology to meet the needs of special students through their Access Center for Disability Accommodations & Adaptive Technology, which helps provide equal opportunity for disabled students.

Academics

Metropolitan State University of Denver has three campuses, including the main Auraria Campus and two additional locations within nearby communities. The college is home to four schools, and it offers 55 undergraduate and four graduate degree programs, as well as 40 certificate programs. MSU Denver also offers online courses for students interested in distance education. In addition to small class sizes, students can take advantage of access to free transportation using Denver's bus and rail services to get to school.

The university was home to about 24,000 students in fall 2011, and almost 75% of the college's alumni work and reside within Denver and the surrounding communities. The college has 540 full-time and 913 part-time faculty members, with 73% of the full-time faculty holding advanced degrees. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of The North Central Association of College and Schools.

Some of the more popular fields of study undertaken by students include criminal justice, management, marketing, history, art and biology. Students can enjoy the many resources on MSU Denver's campus, including the Kenneth King Academic and Performing Arts Center. The college maintains 150 student organizations and clubs to satisfy the needs and interests of the diverse student population.

Admissions

Prospective undergraduate students interested in attending Metropolitan State University of Denver can apply to admissions for entry into either the fall or spring semesters. The specific application deadline dates vary each year. For 2012, the application deadline for the fall semester was June 29. December 14 is the deadline for applying for admission to the 2013 spring semester.

There is no formal date for the mailing of notification of acceptance letters, but applications are generally processed within one to two weeks. Students have the option of checking their application status online at the school's website, contacting the admissions office by phone or emailing the school. When completing application forms, students must include their ACT and SAT test scores and an official high school transcript with GPA and class rank.

Once accepted, students may be able to apply for advanced standing by transferring credit earned from CLEP (College Level Examination Program) proficiency exams. The university will accept up to 60 credits from approved CLEP examinations. Applications can be completed online or printed off the school's website and either faxed or dropped off at the admissions office. The acceptance rate for freshman applying during the fall 2010 semester was 70%.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition and basic fees for in-state undergraduate students for the 2012 to 2013 academic year are $2,670.66 for full-time students and $816.63 for each 3-credit course for part-time students. Out-of-state full-time undergraduate students pay $8,511.06 and part-time students pay $2,276.73 for each 3-credit course. The university does not provide on-campus housing. The Denver area does, however, offer many types of housing for students, including apartment style living.

Prospective students have several options for financial aid, including loans, grants, federal work-study programs and scholarships. During the period of 2010 to 2011, Metropolitan State University of Denver students were the recipients of $127 million in scholarships and grants. Approximately 67% of undergraduate applicants receive financial aid with an average award of $4,940 for grant and scholarship aid and $5,299 for student loan aid.

Students that are taking ten credit hours or more during the fall and spring semesters and eight credit hours or more during the summer semester are required to carry health insurance. The school automatically provides this coverage for a fee, unless students carry their own health insurance and sign a waiver.

METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY OF DENVER QUICK FACTS
School Type	Public, 4-year**
Degrees Offered	Certificate programs, bachelor's and master's degrees**
Religious Affiliation	None**
Academic Calendar	Semesters*
School Setting	Large city**
Student Body	23,538 undergraduate and 251 graduate students in fall 2011**
ACADEMICS
Schools and Programs	4 schools; 55 undergraduate and 4 graduate programs*
Student-Faculty Ratio	21:1*
Most Popular Fields of Study by Degree Level (Number of Recipients)	In 2011: Bachelor's: Business Administration & Management (170), Behavioral Sciences (157), Accounting (152), Biology (149)**
Undergraduate Graduation Rates	5% in 4 years; 21% in 6 years; 26% in 8 years**
ADMISSIONS
Admission Rate	70% in fall 2010**
Entering Class Size	About 2,100 in fall 2010**
First-Year Retention Rates	66% for full-time students; 58% for part-time students for 2010-2011**
Average SAT Scores of Admitted Students	Middle 50% SAT scores: 460-570 in critical reading, 450-570 in math for Fall 2011**
Undergraduate Application Due Date	Applications were due on June 29 and December 14 in 2012*
Decision Notification Date	1-2 weeks after receipt of application*
TUITION & FINANCIAL AID
Tuition	Undergraduate tuition rates for 2012-2013 are $2,670.66 for Colorado residents and $8,511.06 for out-of-state students*
Financial Aid Sources Available (Percent of Students Receiving it)	In 2011: Federal grants (39%), state and local government grants or scholarships (39%), student loans (45%), school grants or scholarships (12%)**
Percent of Students Receiving Some Form of Aid	67% for 2010-2011**

Sources: *Metropolitan State University of Denver, **IPEDS Data Center, National Center for Education Statistics, College Navigator

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