MSU Denver vs U of A
Metropolitan State University of Denver and University of Arizona, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to students with diverse aspirations. Metropolitan State, an urban university in the heart of Denver, Colorado, boasts an open admissions policy, welcoming students from all backgrounds. In contrast, the University of Arizona, a public research university in Tucson, Arizona, has a more selective admissions process, resulting in a lower acceptance rate. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, Metropolitan State is known for its focus on career-oriented programs, while the University of Arizona excels in research and offers a broader selection of majors. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into the specifics of each university, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic goals and preferences.
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![]() Metropolitan State University of Denver |
![]() University of Arizona |
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Overview |
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Location | Denver, Colorado | Tucson, Arizona |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 63.0% | 84.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 88.8% | 87.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$25
Graduate:
$50
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$85
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SAT range | 910 - 1140 | 1120 - 1370 |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | 21 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 32.0% | 13.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 8.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 11,306 | 48,065 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,042 | 41,946 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,832 | 8,436 |
Yield rate | 18.2% | 20.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$30,721
Out of state:
$48,202
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In state:
$30,136
Out of state:
$54,658
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Average net price | $14,195 | $17,242 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,280
Out of state:
$25,761
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In state:
$11,299
Out of state:
$35,821
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,400
Meal plan:
$5,050
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
61.0%
Average amount $6,912 |
92.0%
Average amount $13,790 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
57.0%
Average amount $5,116 |
24.0%
Average amount $4,845 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $10,638 |
3.0%
Average amount $20,814 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
16,515
Men 44.1% Women 55.9% |
37,434
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Graduate students |
1,163
Men 21.6% Women 78.4% |
10,840
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 2.4% | 48.8% |
International students | 0.7% | 6.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 7,036 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Colorado California Texas Arizona Florida | Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 29.8% | 64.3% |
Dropout rate | 26.8% | 14.3% |
Transferred out | 37.3% | 19.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
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