Head-to-head · 2026
Metropolitan State University of Denver vs University of Northern Colorado
Compare average net price ($15,327 at Metropolitan State University of Denver; $17,760 at University of Northern Colorado), ROI score (8.50 vs 7.35), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($52,093 vs $52,231), and admissions selectivity (98.8% acceptance at Metropolitan State University of Denver; 85.9% at University of Northern Colorado) 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 | University of Northern Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.50 ✓ | 7.35 |
| Avg net price | $15,327 ✓ | $17,760 |
| 4-year avg net price | $61,308 ✓ | $71,040 |
| In-state tuition | $11,124 | $12,416 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $30,684 | $27,266 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $52,093 | $52,231 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 98.8% | 85.9% |
| Graduation rate | 31.5% | 51.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 62.9% | 75.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $20,470 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 15,002 | 5,598 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1019 | 1082 |
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 | University of Northern Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,481 ✓ | $12,695 |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,436 ✓ | $13,290 |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,927 ✓ | $16,038 |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,539 | $18,441 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,822 ✓ | $24,306 |
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 | University of Northern Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.9% | 7.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.7% | 7.2% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.9% | 6.2% |
| Biology, General | 4.9% | 4.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.1% | 6.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.3% | 3.5% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 0.6% | 6.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 4.2% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Metropolitan State University of Denver reports the lower average net price by $2,433 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $9,732 difference over four years ($61,308 vs $71,040).
University of Northern Colorado reports $138 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($52,231 vs $52,093). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 62.9% at Metropolitan State University of Denver and 75.9% at University of Northern Colorado. Median federal debt among completers is $21,500 vs $20,470, 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.
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Frequently asked
Metropolitan State University of Denver vs University of Northern Colorado, 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 $17,760 at University of Northern Colorado. The annual difference of $2,433 adds up to about $9,732 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Northern Colorado reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $52,231 vs $52,093 at Metropolitan State University of Denver. The gap in the federal data is $138. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Northern Colorado is more selective at 85.9% 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.