Head-to-head · 2026
Metropolitan State University of Denver vs Pikes Peak State College
Compare average net price ($15,327 at Metropolitan State University of Denver; $6,007 at Pikes Peak State College), ROI score (8.50 vs 16.98), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($52,093 vs $40,796), and admissions context (98.8% at Metropolitan State University of Denver; Open / not reported at Pikes Peak State College) 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 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Pikes Peak State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.50 | 16.98 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $15,327 | $6,007 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $61,308 | $24,028 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $11,124 | $4,510 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $30,684 | $17,110 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $52,093 ✓ | $40,796 |
| Acceptance rate | 98.8% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 31.5% ✓ | 20.6% |
| Retention rate | 62.9% | — |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $9,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 15,002 | 9,595 |
| 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 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Pikes Peak State College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,481 | $3,811 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,436 | $3,941 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,927 | $6,411 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,539 | $10,968 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,822 | $17,700 ✓ |
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 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | Pikes Peak State College |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.3% | 6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.7% | 7.6% |
| Social Work | 8% | 0.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.9% | 1.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 4.2% | 3.2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.1% | 5.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.1% | 2.4% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2.8% | 1.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Pikes Peak State College reports the lower average net price by $9,320 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $37,280 difference over four years ($24,028 vs $61,308).
Metropolitan State University of Denver reports $11,297 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($52,093 vs $40,796). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Metropolitan State University of Denver vs Pikes Peak State College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Pikes Peak State College is cheaper — average net price $6,007 per year vs $15,327 at Metropolitan State University of Denver. The annual difference of $9,320 adds up to about $37,280 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Metropolitan State University of Denver reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $52,093 vs $40,796 at Pikes Peak State College. The gap in the federal data is $11,297. 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.