Head-to-head · 2026
Metropolitan State University vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Compare average net price ($16,863 at Metropolitan State University; $11,704 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota), ROI score (9.59 vs 12.43), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($64,705 vs $58,170), and admissions selectivity (98.7% acceptance at Metropolitan State University; 92.8% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota) 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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.59 | 12.43 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,863 | $11,704 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $67,452 | $46,816 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,840 | $45,080 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,840 | $45,080 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $64,705 ✓ | $58,170 |
| Acceptance rate | 98.7% | 92.8% |
| Graduation rate | 43.6% | 66% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 67.5% | 74.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $17,100 ✓ | $21,500 |
| Enrollment | 5,616 | 1,073 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| 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 | Metropolitan State University | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $15,238 ✓ | $16,182 |
| Family income $30–48k | $16,656 | $15,175 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,659 | $15,030 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,994 | $14,771 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $21,905 | $6,135 ✓ |
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 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 16.4% | 16.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9.7% | 2.6% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 9.7% | 0.5% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 1.5% | 7.6% |
| Psychology, General | 6.2% | 1.7% |
| Social Work | 3% | 4.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 4.2% | 3.1% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 2.3% | 4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota reports the lower average net price by $5,159 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,636 difference over four years ($46,816 vs $67,452).
Metropolitan State University reports $6,535 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($64,705 vs $58,170). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 67.5% at Metropolitan State University and 74.6% at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Median federal debt among completers is $17,100 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
Metropolitan State University vs Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is cheaper — average net price $11,704 per year vs $16,863 at Metropolitan State University. The annual difference of $5,159 adds up to about $20,636 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Metropolitan State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $64,705 vs $58,170 at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. The gap in the federal data is $6,535. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is more selective at 92.8% acceptance vs 98.7% at Metropolitan State University.
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.