Metropolitan State University
#6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota- Graduation Rate
- 42% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $64,705 A-
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $16,863 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 99% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 23.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $23.5 over 20 years. Ranked #6 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota.
Every $1 spent returns $23.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,514,595.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduates earn 59% more than the national college median.
-
Graduation of 42% — 27% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $23.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Metropolitan State University Matters
Metropolitan State University is a public university in Saint Paul, MN and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,616
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, Psychology
Why students choose Metropolitan State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 99% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,863 a year after grants and scholarships — 2% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $64,705 ten years after enrolling — 59% above the typical college, against $17,100 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.26 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 99%, Metropolitan State University is welcoming to a wide range of students, particularly those looking to balance work and study. It's an ideal fit for individuals interested in practical fields like Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. The diverse offerings cater to students who want to gain relevant skills for today’s job market while enjoying a flexible learning environment.
After graduation, students can expect to earn around $64,705 within a decade, which is a solid starting point for many. This financial outlook is significant, especially considering that nearly half of the students here receive Pell Grants, indicating a supportive environment for those from lower-income backgrounds. While the graduation rate sits at 42%, those who do complete their degrees often find themselves moving into good-paying roles, illustrating the potential value of the education they receive.
When it comes to the bottom line, the net price after aid stands at $16,863, which makes it quite accessible for many. With a median debt of $17,100, students are likely to graduate with manageable financial obligations. This school tends to attract those who are pragmatic, focused on their careers, and looking for an affordable path to a degree. The combination of affordability and practical programs makes it a good choice for anyone ready to invest in their future.
Rankings
- #6 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Minnesota
- #12 Best Computer Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #12 Best Data Science Colleges in Minnesota
- #16 Best Business Colleges in Minnesota
- #20 Best Psychology Colleges in Minnesota
- #25 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
- #26 Best Bachelor's Programs in Minnesota
- #27 Best Master's Programs in Minnesota
Can I Get In?
How selective Metropolitan State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Metropolitan State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Metropolitan State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,020. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 99%
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- SAT Average
- 1020
- ACT Range
- 16–21
- Full-Time Faculty
- 35%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,336
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 37%
- Applicants
- 612
- Admitted
- 500
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Metropolitan State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Metropolitan State University is $9,840, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,863. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,238 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,100 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,840
- Out-of-State
- $9,840
- Avg Net Price
- $16,863
- Median Debt
- $17,100
- Pell Grant Rate
- 48%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 31%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $15,238
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,656
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,659
- Family Income $110K+
- $21,905
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Metropolitan State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Metropolitan State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $64,705, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $54,828
- 8 Years
- $59,836
- 10 Years
- $64,705
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.26x
- Earning > $25K
- 77%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (8)
- 13%
- 100% (8)
- 13%
- 100% (8)
- 13%
- 100% (8)
- 13%
How Metropolitan Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Metropolitan State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Metropolitan State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,863/year ($67,452 total). Graduates earn $64,705 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,582,047 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,514,595 (23.5× your investment). The median debt is $17,100, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 42% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $67,452
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,582,047
- Net Return
- $1,514,595
- ROI Multiple
- 23.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,863
- Median Debt
- $17,100
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $7,536,000
- Investment Income
- $114,000
Top Programs
The fields Metropolitan State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 25% $73,682 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 18% $81,773 early-career
- Health Professions 10% $91,488 early-career
- Psychology 8% $41,773 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $51,669 early-career
- Education 3% $45,495 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 3% $47,206 early-career
- Communications 2% $54,063 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Metropolitan State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Metropolitan State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Metropolitan State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 99%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,020. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Metropolitan State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Metropolitan State University is $9,840, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,863. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $15,238 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $17,100 in federal student loans.
Is Metropolitan State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Metropolitan State University earn a median of $64,705, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Metropolitan State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Metropolitan State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias runs higher (0.15), suggesting students tend to form ties within their own economic group. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Metropolitan State University.
- University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX · Close peer51% grad $59,004 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-PlattevillePlatteville, WI · Close peer58% grad $61,760 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA · Close peer59% grad $65,986 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN · Close peer44% grad $55,813 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Massachusetts-DartmouthNorth Dartmouth, MA · Close peer51% grad $68,804 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ · Close peer46% grad $57,780 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Metropolitan State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Metropolitan State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias runs higher (0.15), suggesting students tend to form ties within their own economic group. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note