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Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, Minnesota · Public · 4-year · City

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At a glance

Average net price
$16,863What students typically pay per year after grants and scholarships.
Acceptance rate
99%
Graduation rate
42%Share of students who finish within 150% of the normal time.
Undergraduates
5,616
In-state tuition
$9,840Published price before aid.
Out-of-state tuition
$9,840
SAT midpoint
Not reported
Median earnings, 10 yrs
$64,705Median earnings of former students ten years after they first enrolled.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Data year: 2022-23 academic year. Updated September 2026. Figures are averages across all students and will differ from what any individual pays.

How it compares to similar colleges

Each rating covers one measure against public 4-year colleges nationally. Five stars means the top fifth on that measure. There is no overall score, because which of these matters is your call.

Affordability

$16,863

Better than 30% of public 4-year colleges (565 compared).

Completion

42%

Better than 25% of public 4-year colleges (566 compared).

Earnings

$64,705

Better than 80% of public 4-year colleges (590 compared).

Debt at graduation

$17,100

Better than 82% of public 4-year colleges (588 compared).

What these ratings are based on
Affordability
Based on average net price: what students receiving federal aid actually paid, after grants and scholarships. Your own cost depends on your family's finances.
Completion
Based on the share of first-time, full-time students who graduate within 150% of normal time. It excludes transfer and part-time students, which understates colleges serving many of them.
Earnings
Based on median earnings ten years after students first enrolled. It reflects the subjects a college teaches and the region it sits in as much as its teaching.
Debt at graduation
Based on median federal loan debt among students who completed. Private and parent loans are not included, so real totals are often higher.
Why there is no rating for selectivity
A lower acceptance rate is selectivity, not quality. Awarding stars for it would be us inventing a value judgement and hiding it behind a number.

What it actually costs

Published cost

$25,172

The sticker price: tuition, fees, housing, food and books for one academic year, before any aid.

Average net price

$16,863

What students receiving federal aid actually paid on average, after grants and scholarships. This is the more useful number, though your own figure depends on your family’s finances.

What would this cost me?
Use this college’s official net price calculator

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, debt and earnings for Metropolitan State University
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time42%
Retention rateFirst-year students who return68%
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only, students who completed$17,100
Median earnings, 10 years after entryFormer students, working and not enrolled$64,705

What graduates of each major earn

Median earnings one year after finishing, for people who took that subject here. This is the figure a college-wide median hides: the spread between subjects at one college is usually far wider than the spread between colleges.

Bachelor’s programs at Metropolitan State University by graduate earnings
MajorEarnings, 1 yrDegrees awarded
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$77,421107
Computer Science$72,865105
Information Science/Studies$64,38243
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions$60,84911
Computer and Information Sciences, General$59,15850
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$56,51627
Business Administration, Management and Operations$56,314245
Accounting and Related Services$54,13760
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management$54,02550
Criminal Justice and Corrections$52,12583
Finance and Financial Management Services$51,54447
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$49,751140
Marketing$49,43936
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$49,0834
Human Resources Management and Services$48,99942
Social Work$47,63763
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$46,49018
Communication and Media Studies$46,32035
Human Services, General$45,75153
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$42,47124
Biology, General$42,12837
Social Sciences, General$41,95423
Psychology, General$40,958102
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies$39,55816
Research and Experimental Psychology$36,60015
English Language and Literature, General$33,9999
Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchNot reported13
Applied MathematicsNot reported13
Health and Medical Administrative ServicesNot reported11
Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftNot reported10
EconomicsNot reported10
Data ScienceNot reported9
International BusinessNot reported9
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyNot reported9
ChemistryNot reported7
HistoryNot reported6
Fine and Studio ArtsNot reported6
PhilosophyNot reported5
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesNot reported5
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, GeneralNot reported4
Entrepreneurial and Small Business OperationsNot reported4
Computer ProgrammingNot reported1
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationNot reportedNot reported
Special Education and TeachingNot reportedNot reported
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign LanguageNot reportedNot reported
Management Information Systems and ServicesNot reportedNot reported
Hospitality Administration/ManagementNot reportedNot reported

All 47 bachelor’s programs this college reported.

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