Metropolitan State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Metropolitan State University charges a net price of $16,863/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $67,452. Graduates earn a median $64,705 ten years after entry, $16,345/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.1 years — a 20-year net return of $259,448, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Metropolitan State University's 4.1-year payback ranks #303 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 76% of them, and #6 of 68 in Minnesota.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $16,863/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $67,452 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $64,705 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $16,345/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $17,100 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 4.1 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $259,448 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Metropolitan State University's own numbers. Net price $16,863 × 4 years = $67,452 total. Median earnings $64,705 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $16,345 a year of premium. $67,452 ÷ $16,345 = 4.1 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $259,448. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Metropolitan State University students graduate with?
A median $17,100 in federal loans among completers, or 26% of the $64,705 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Metropolitan State University students graduate?
44% finish their degree — 56% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $67,452 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $153,300 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Metropolitan State University expensive compared with other Minnesota colleges?
Its $16,863 net price runs $43 above the $16,821 median across the 68 Minnesota colleges we profile, or $170 more across the full degree.