
890 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204, USA


Metropolitan State University of Denver was established in 1965 to provide accessible, affordable higher education to the residents of Colorado. Its founding mission focused on serving nontraditional students, including working adults and those balancing education with other responsibilities. The university initially operated with a modest enrollment and limited campus facilities but rapidly expanded throughout the 1970s and 1980s. This growth included a diversification of academic programs designed to meet the evolving needs of the metropolitan area.
In its early decades, the university emphasized practical, career-oriented education along with liberal arts, fostering a balance between professional preparation and critical thinking. Metropolitan State University of Denver gained accreditation and recognition for its commitment to student success and community engagement. Its development included constructing a dedicated campus that steadily grew in size and scope, reflecting its increasingly central role in the region's higher education landscape.
Over time, the university has upheld its inclusive approach, remaining focused on providing opportunities to a diverse student body. Its history is marked by continuous adaptation to societal changes and educational demands, all while maintaining its foundational goal of serving students from varied backgrounds in an urban setting.
Metropolitan State University of Denver offers a diverse range of academic faculties and departments tailored to meet the interests and career goals of prospective students. The university organizes its programs across several colleges, each providing specialized fields of study.
The College of Letters, Arts and Sciences encompasses disciplines such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. This college supports students aiming to build foundational knowledge in diverse academic areas, encouraging critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning.
Students interested in business-oriented careers may find their fit in the College of Business, which delivers programs emphasizing practical skills and contemporary industry knowledge. This includes areas like accounting, marketing, finance, and management, designed to prepare graduates for the evolving corporate landscape.
The College of Education, reflects the university's commitment to training future educators and administrators. It offers pathways ranging from teacher preparation to leadership in educational settings, focusing on both theoretical frameworks and hands-on experience.
For those pursuing creative and design-driven professions, the College of Professional Studies provides departments such as communication, journalism, and design. These programs are structured to develop technical expertise alongside creative and critical abilities.
Additionally, the Department of Nursing and Health Professions caters to careers in healthcare, providing rigorous training to meet professional healthcare standards.
Metropolitan State University of Denver is located at 890 Auraria Parkway in Denver, Colorado, within the 80204 ZIP code area. This campus is situated in the western part of downtown Denver, an area known for its accessibility and urban environment.
Students benefit from the university's proximity to Denver International Airport, facilitating convenient travel. The location also places students near various transportation options, making it easier to commute across the city. Denver itself offers a vibrant urban setting that combines educational opportunities with the amenities of a growing metropolitan area.
Metropolitan State University of Denver is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education tailored to a diverse student body, including those who might be underrepresented in higher education. Its mission emphasizes fostering an inclusive learning environment that promotes intellectual growth, critical thinking, and practical skills to prepare students for meaningful careers and active citizenship.
The university envisions itself as a leader in urban public higher education, cultivating academic excellence while responding to the evolving needs of its community. It aims to support student success through comprehensive resources and a curriculum designed to bridge theory and real-world application, ultimately advancing social mobility and contributing to the economic and cultural well-being of the region.
Name of the institution
Metropolitan State University of DenverLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicSetting type
City: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
10,000 - 19,999School type
Comprehensive higher education institutionMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1963
Certificate of less than 1 year
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Certificate of at least 2 years, but less than 4 years
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Doctor's degree - other
Other degreeDegrees
Accounting and Related Services
$48,409Air Transportation
$40,969Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems
$25,289Anthropology
$21,161Behavioral Sciences
$33,393Biology, General
$34,512Business Administration, Management and Operations
$45,469Chemistry
$38,565Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians
$59,154Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
$27,976Computer Science
$68,483Criminal Justice and Corrections
$39,189Design and Applied Arts
$36,119Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
$23,269Economics
$39,282Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians
$62,003English Language and Literature, General
$35,317Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
$34,350Finance and Financial Management Services
$47,504Fine and Studio Arts
$28,208Health and Medical Administrative Services
$41,372Health and Physical Education/Fitness
$35,408History
$35,904Hospitality Administration/Management
$38,609Human Services, General
$36,960Journalism
$31,765Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services
$32,791Management Information Systems and Services
$50,437Marketing
$39,954Mathematics
$42,189Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
$58,535Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
$35,499Music
$18,734Natural Resources Conservation and Research
$41,678Natural Resources Management and Policy
$46,567Nutrition Sciences
$32,738Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies
$37,024Political Science and Government
$37,549Psychology, General
$32,124Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
$34,748Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$62,686Research and Experimental Psychology
$34,388Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies
$37,230Social Work
$34,646Sociology
$37,606Special Education and Teaching
$36,833Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
$37,116