Understanding Metropolitan State University Tuition and Fees

Navigating the costs associated with higher education can be daunting. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of tuition, fees, and other expenses at Metropolitan State University (MSU) Denver, offering valuable insights for prospective and current students.

Cost of Attendance: Direct and Indirect Expenses

The Cost of Attendance (COA) represents an estimate of the total expenses a student incurs while attending school for a semester or a nine-month academic year. This estimate encompasses both direct and indirect costs. Understanding these components is crucial for effective financial planning.

Direct Costs: These are the expenses that students pay directly to the university. They include:

Tuition and fees
On-campus housing (if applicable)

These direct costs will be billed to your MSU Denver account.

Indirect Costs: These are educational-related expenses that are not paid directly to the university. They include:

Books and supplies
Transportation
Personal expenses
Off-campus housing and food

The initial estimated COA for an academic year assumes full-time enrollment for both the fall and spring semesters. These estimates are provided for general planning purposes only, and are based on guidelines from the Department of Education, the Colorado Department of Education (CDHE), and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS).

Tuition and Fees: A Detailed Breakdown

Metropolitan State University of Denver's tuition stands at $11,124 for in-state students and $30,684 for out-of-state students. Compared to the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,436, MSU Denver is more affordable for residents. However, for out-of-state students, the tuition is higher than the national average of $29,815.

These figures represent the sticker price, which includes both tuition and fees. Fees vary by institution and support a range of services, including:

Library services
Student gym facilities
Student centers
Technology resources
Campus health centers

When comparing the costs of different institutions, it's important to consider both the total cost and the net price. The total cost includes the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses.

Understanding the Net Price

The net price represents the actual cost a student pays after factoring in grants and scholarships. Metro State University's Cost of Attendance (COA) includes an estimate of the total average cost to attend fall and spring semesters as a full-time student. This includes tuition and required fees, books/supplies, loan fees, an allowance for living expenses, transportation, and personal expenses.

To get a comprehensive estimate of aid eligibility, students can use the Net Price Calculator. This tool considers factors such as income, assets, and family size to determine the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is used to estimate the amount of grant and scholarship aid a student may be eligible to receive. It's important to note that a student's financial aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.

Differential Tuition and Course Fees

Differential tuition is an additional cost per credit for specific programs or courses. These programs and courses require additional costs and resources beyond the base tuition rate (specialized equipment, supplies, technology, software, accreditation standards, etc.). Some courses can also include fees for specific materials, like lab kits, subscription, licenses, supplies, or special equipment/tools.

Mandatory Fees

All fees are subject to change and apply to all courses taken for credit, including online courses. Here's a breakdown of the mandatory fees:

Activity fee: $4 per credit
Student Center fee: $8.50 per credit. The fee supports the construction, maintenance and operation of the student center and is determined by the Student Senate.
Technology fee: $14 per credit. This fee supports student computer labs and other technology directly related to instruction.
MSUSA fee: $0.80 per credit. This fee supports the Minnesota State University Student Association (MSUSA) statewide, for activities representing students. It is determined by the MSUSA Minnesota State College and University System Board of Trustees.
Healthcare/health services fee: $2 per credit. This fee covers the cost of providing healthcare services to students. The healthcare fee was approved by the Student Senate. There will be a list of contracted health care services and a staff member hired as a navigator to help students who need to access health care services.
Parking fee: $13 per credit. This fee supports the construction, maintenance and operation of the Metro State University Parking Ramp in St. Paul and contracted lots in various campus locations. The rate is set after consultation with and input from the Student Senate. The City of Saint Paul required the university to build the parking ramp before allowing construction of the Jason R. Carter Science Education Center. The ramp could only be financed with state revenue bonds, which require parking fees to cover the debt service, maintenance and operations of parking facilities across all locations. At the time the ramp was built, the student body leadership voted to assess the parking fee for all students, including those taking only online courses, allowing access to campus for various student services.

Tuition and Fees for Senior Citizens

Minnesota residents aged 62 or older are entitled to enroll in courses without payment of tuition on a space availability basis. This also applies to individuals receiving a railroad retirement annuity who have reached 60 years of age before the beginning of the term, as defined in Minn. Stat. § 135A.51.

To take advantage of this benefit, senior citizens must first apply for admission to Metro State. Those wishing to audit courses need to complete a visiting student application, while those seeking a degree must complete a degree-seeking application. Once admitted, the Senior Citizen Student Status Request form must be completed to verify age and eligibility. Regular tuition rates will apply until the form is processed.

Policies and Procedures

All Student Tuition and Fee rate structures are authorized by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities under Board Policy 5.11, and all colleges and universities are required to charge tuition and fees consistent with Minnesota statutes and policies. University administration regularly meets with the Metro State University Student Association (MSUSA) for review and consultation on all student tuition and fees. Metro State University applies Minnesota State Colleges and Universities policy 5.11 and procedure 5.11.1 when establishing tuition and fee amounts.

Accessing Your Bill

Billing statements are available online. To access your bill:

Go to eServices.
Enter your Star I.D and password.
Choose "Bills and Payment" from the menu on the left side of the screen.
Select "Balance Due by Term" or "Full Account Detail" from the options listed.

"Balance Due by Term" reflects activity for a specific term, while "Full Account Detail" reflects all activity on your student account since 1998. The reports include charges, payments, and financial aid posted to your account. Financial Aid which has been awarded and disbursed is listed in the payment section of your statement.

Financial Aid Options

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 65.78%
Average Aid Package: $12,011
Average Net Price: $14,805 per year

The average net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.

Financial Aid Details

Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: $10,145 (Scholarships and grants don’t need to be paid back.)
Need-Based Loan Amount: $3,959 (Loans must be paid back.)
Typical Debt at Graduation: $24,785

Additional Financial Information

In-State Tuition: $8,868 per year
Out-of-State Tuition: $27,591 per year
Books and Supplies: $1,460 per year
Personal Expenses: $1,629 per year
Transportation: $1,512 per year

Important Considerations for Wisconsin and North Dakota Residents

Metro State University charges the same tuition rate for all students, regardless of residency. However, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education requires Wisconsin and North Dakota residents to complete a reciprocity application with their home state each semester they are enrolled in courses at Metro State University.

Metropolitan State University Rankings and Outcomes

Metropolitan State University is a public institution. In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Metropolitan State University is ranked No. #107 in Regional Universities Midwest. It's also ranked No. #18 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Student-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Four-Year Graduation Rate: 19%
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $54,828

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