Metropolitan State University of Denver ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$43,120
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$10,391/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
4.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
382%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Metropolitan State University of Denver has a high acceptance rate of 99.1% and a student body of 14,932. The in-state tuition is $10,780. One year after graduation, the median earnings are $44,523, increasing to $45,391 after five years, and $52,093 after ten years. The median debt for graduates is $21,500, and 29.6% of students receive financial aid.
The data indicates a positive return on investment. The one-year earnings are more than four times the tuition cost. The median debt is less than the one-year earnings.
The graduation rate is 29.5%, and the retention rate is 70.4%. The provided data does not include the debt-to-income ratio or the break-even timeline.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$10,780
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
Median Earnings (5yr)
$45,391
Graduation Rate
30%
Receive Financial Aid
30%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work | $56,600 | 902% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $41,630 | 208% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $59,641 | 1043% |
| Biology, General | $46,814 | 448% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $82,543 | 2105% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $43,488 | 294% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,873 | 543% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $70,699 | 1556% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $46,387 | 428% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,406 | 197% |
| Marketing | $57,726 | 954% |
| Air Transportation | $60,475 | 1082% |
Peer Comparison
382%
20yr ROI
395%
20yr ROI
306%
20yr ROI
238%
20yr ROI
361%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.