Head-to-head · 2026
Inver Hills Community College vs Metropolitan State University
Compare average net price ($11,636 at Inver Hills Community College; $16,863 at Metropolitan State University), ROI score (10.72 vs 9.59), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,898 vs $64,705), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Inver Hills Community College; 98.7% at Metropolitan State University) 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 | Inver Hills Community College | Metropolitan State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.72 ✓ | 9.59 |
| Avg net price | $11,636 ✓ | $16,863 |
| 4-year avg net price | $46,544 ✓ | $67,452 |
| In-state tuition | $6,146 | $9,840 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,146 | $9,840 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,898 | $64,705 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 98.7% |
| Graduation rate | 23.8% | 43.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.2% | 67.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $13,965 ✓ | $17,100 |
| Enrollment | 2,193 | 5,616 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1020 |
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 | Inver Hills Community College | Metropolitan State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,373 ✓ | $15,238 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,062 ✓ | $16,656 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,168 ✓ | $16,659 |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,787 ✓ | $18,994 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,272 ✓ | $21,905 |
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 | Inver Hills Community College | Metropolitan State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 33.7% | 1.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 12.6% | 9.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.3% | 16.4% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 2% | 9.7% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.6% | 4.6% |
| Computer Science | 0.7% | 5.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.1% | 4.2% |
| Social Work | 0.7% | 3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Inver Hills Community College reports the lower average net price by $5,227 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,908 difference over four years ($46,544 vs $67,452).
Metropolitan State University reports $14,807 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($64,705 vs $49,898). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.2% at Inver Hills Community College and 67.5% at Metropolitan State University. Median federal debt among completers is $13,965 vs $17,100, 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
Inver Hills Community College vs Metropolitan State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Inver Hills Community College is cheaper — average net price $11,636 per year vs $16,863 at Metropolitan State University. The annual difference of $5,227 adds up to about $20,908 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Metropolitan State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $64,705 vs $49,898 at Inver Hills Community College. The gap in the federal data is $14,807. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.