Head-to-head · 2026
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Metropolitan State University of Denver
Compare average net price ($21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins; $15,327 at Metropolitan State University of Denver), ROI score (7.11 vs 8.50), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($60,543 vs $52,093), and admissions selectivity (88.5% acceptance at Colorado State University-Fort Collins; 98.8% at Metropolitan State University of Denver) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Metropolitan State University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.11 | 8.50 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,279 | $15,327 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $85,116 | $61,308 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,373 | $11,124 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,783 | $30,684 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $60,543 ✓ | $52,093 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.5% | 98.8% |
| Graduation rate | 66.5% ✓ | 31.5% |
| Retention rate | 85.9% ✓ | 62.9% |
| Median debt | $20,000 ✓ | $21,500 |
| Enrollment | 25,538 | 15,002 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1019 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Metropolitan State University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,259 | $12,481 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $14,460 | $12,436 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,905 | $14,927 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,927 | $19,539 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $29,763 | $23,822 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Metropolitan State University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.5% | 5.9% |
| Biology, General | 5.3% | 4.9% |
| Social Work | 2% | 8% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.4% | 4.2% |
| Nutrition Sciences | 0.8% | 2.9% |
| Marketing | 0.5% | 2.9% |
| Political Science and Government | 1.9% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Metropolitan State University of Denver reports the lower average net price by $5,952 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $23,808 difference over four years ($61,308 vs $85,116).
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports $8,450 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($60,543 vs $52,093). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 85.9% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and 62.9% at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Median federal debt among completers is $20,000 vs $21,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Metropolitan State University of Denver, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Metropolitan State University of Denver is cheaper — average net price $15,327 per year vs $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. The annual difference of $5,952 adds up to about $23,808 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $60,543 vs $52,093 at Metropolitan State University of Denver. The gap in the federal data is $8,450. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins is more selective at 88.5% acceptance vs 98.8% at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.