Plaza Building, Health Center closed due to a water main break.

Who We Are

A leader in social mobility. Committed to fostering equity. All while offering an accessibly excellent experience. As the top transfer destination for Coloradoans, our students are engaged citizens, making an immediate impact on our workforce and community from the moment they enroll.

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Our Mission

… is to provide a high-quality, accessible, enriching education that prepares students for successful careers, post-graduate education, and lifelong learning in a multicultural, global, and technological society.

Read about MSU Denver’s Mission, Vision and Values

Our Values

MSU Denver’s mission, vision, ongoing operations and strategic plan are informed by CADRE, a core set of values that define who we are – and aspire to be – as a University

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  • Community
  • Accessibility
  • Diversity
  • Respect
  • Excellence
Learn More About Our Values
Candid portrait of a recent MSU Denver graduate

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Undergraduates

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Graduate Students

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Alumni

Recognizing Excellence

The word is out – great things happen at MSU Denver, don’t take our word for it.

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Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award: 10 consecutive years

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Hispanic-Serving Institution: $6.4 million in HSI grant funding

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Repeated national recognition for civic engagement: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

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Seal of Excelencia: Providing exemplary services to out Latino students

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Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges Honoree

Tivoli Student Union at dusk.

Economic Impact

During the 2019 fiscal year, MSU Denver generated $703.4 million economic impact on local and statewide economies.

Read Full Report

$703.4 Million

Generated in economic impact

7,250 Jobs

Supported and sustained

$35.5 Million

State and local taxes generated

$6.5 Million

Given back to the community in donations and volunteer hours

working at food bank

372,000

Volunteer Hours

$2.4 Million

Annual Charitable Donation

Community Impact

From outreach initiatives to student, faculty and staff contributions, we empower our community.

  • Employees and students make an estimated $2.4 million in charitable donations and volunteer for nearly 372,000 hours.
  • Displaced Worker Grants provides tuition assistance to those who lost their job or wages due to COVID-19.
  • The University’s Launch Denver initiative provides free entrepreneurship courses and small-business loans to aid local business.

By The Numbers

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a leader and innovator in higher education, a university committed to fostering an equitable culture while offering a high-quality, accessible college experience.

Get a snapshot of who we are, academic offerings and our economic, civic and community impact.

Download Fact Sheet in Spanish

Download Full Fact Sheet

19:1

Student to faculty ratio (undergraduate)

78%

Alumni who remain in Colorado post-graduation

54.9%

Students receiving scholarships and grants

49.7%

Students that transfer to MSU Denver from other universities in Colorado

16 Sports

MSU Denver teams in NCAA Division II Athletics

$1.8M

Saved by 11,065 Roadrunners via Tuition Lock (fall 2023)

Our Student Body

As of December 2023

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Average age of undergraduate Students

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Military and veteran/affiliated students

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Undergraduate transfer students (46.6%)

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Students who work full- or part-time while pursuing their education (2022)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

MSU Denver has one of the most diverse student bodies in Colorado

55.2 % of MSU Denver’s undergraduate students are students of color. We are a Hispanic-Serving Institution, earned in February 2019, and are committed to serving DACA and undocumented students.

MSU Denver seeks to promote an inclusive community of learners, an awareness and appreciation of diverse perspectives and identities, and the establishment of policies, practices, programs, and resources designed to embrace and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion at MSU Denver.

Diversity is one of the core values of MSU Denver and one of the pillars of the University’s Strategic Plan. 

Learn more about our DEI efforts.

*International Students not included in the total percentage of undergraduate students of color.

Academic Offerings

From philosophy to health care, business, education, brewery operations and even the option to create your own degree, your future can be whatever you want it to be.

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Majors

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Minors

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Graduate Programs

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Certificate Programs

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Diverse

We come from every background imaginable and learn to be broad-minded by grappling with a variety of experiences and viewpoints.

Six students sitting around a table sharing ideas

Tenacious

We are determined to succeed and achieve. If we get knocked down, we get back up.

women playing basketball
health services students study outside

Primed

We have career-ready skills and a deep knowledge of the issues and dynamics that shape the workforce.

medical student near IV stand and gurney

Purposeful

We want to use our education to make change. Every degree earned has a ripple effect, spreading benefits across the metro area and beyond.

Entrepreneurial

We don’t settle for walking on well-worn trails. We aim for the best outcomes for ourselves and our communities.

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The Roadrunner Difference

Discover Your Path
MSU Denver graduates walk off the Commencement stage with their diplomas.