Metropolitan State University of Denver Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~83%
- Middle 50% ACT: 20
- Middle 50% SAT: 1000
- Average GPA: 3.23
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 Metropolitan State University of Denver at a Glance
MSU Denver is built for access and affordability—but you have to approach scholarships differently here. There’s no big automatic merit grid or guaranteed full-tuition path. Instead, most of the real money comes through the general scholarship application, departmental awards, and stacking smaller funding sources.
This is a “be proactive and apply” school. Students who take the time to complete the scholarship application early and thoroughly tend to come out ahead, while those waiting for automatic offers may leave money on the table. If your goal is a flexible, lower-cost path in Colorado, this can absolutely work—but it rewards effort more than stats alone.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Metropolitan State University of Denver is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 20; SAT: 1000.
Average net price? About $13,727/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in WUE.
University scholarship page: https://www.msudenver.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
University scholarship page: https://www.msudenver.edu/transfer-student/transfer-student-financial-aid/
AcademicWorks scholarship listing: https://msudenver.academicworks.com/opportunities/7962
University scholarship page: https://www.msudenver.edu/scholarships/current-students
Department scholarship page: https://www.msudenver.edu/music/music-scholarships/
University scholarship page: https://www.msudenver.edu/online/prospective/
Program application page: https://www.msudenver.edu/multicultural-center/student-leadership-programming/urban-leadership-program/apply/
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at Metropolitan State University of Denver 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $9,403 | $25,602 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $17,658 | $17,658 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $27,061 | $43,260 |
Average Federal Net Price: $13,727 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
MSU Denver participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and its own Roadrunner Interstate Tuition (RIT) program.
• WUE/RIT students pay about $17,366 in tuition instead of $25,602.
• That’s roughly $8,200 in annual savings compared to the standard non-resident rate.
• Discounts apply automatically once eligibility is confirmed by MSU Denver.
Who qualifies for WUE or RIT?
Students from participating Western states (WUE) or approved neighboring states (RIT), depending on residency and major eligibility.
How much can families save?
Around $8,000 per year on average compared to standard non-resident tuition rates.
Do you have to apply separately?
No — the WUE and RIT discounts are applied automatically once your residency status and program qualify.
University COA page (Undergraduate Budgets): https://www.msudenver.edu/financialaid/cost-of-attendance/
Tuition & Fees (Resident and Non-Resident): https://www.msudenver.edu/bursar/tuition/
Housing & Dining (Estimated Costs): https://www.msudenver.edu/housing/
WUE and Roadrunner Interstate Tuition Programs: https://www.msudenver.edu/admissions/scholarships/wue-rit/
College Scorecard (Average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?127565-Metropolitan-State-University-of-Denver=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Student Scholarship | $1,000 first term fully online; $500 per term after | Fully online enrollment each term; not test-based | No | Yes (as long as conditions met) | Students who continue with all-online schedules and meet credit minimums | Before start of term (for enrollment) |
| RaiseMe Micro-Scholarships | Up to $4,000 (freshmen) or $2,000 (transfers) | Complete RaiseMe profile, follow MSU Denver, meet GPA/enrollment minimums, FAFSA/CASFA filed | Yes (RaiseMe account required) | Yes (with GPA and enrollment maintained) | Students who bank micro-awards and finish profile by deadline | July 1 (freshmen); varies (transfers) |
Note: Most other MSU Denver scholarships require the General Scholarship Application and are not automatic. There is no published automatic merit grid for GPA/SAT/ACT. National Merit/STAMPS is not offered.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Do I need a separate application?
Online Student Scholarship: No, it is automatic for fully online enrollees each term.
RaiseMe: Yes, you must complete the RaiseMe profile and follow MSU Denver by the stated deadlines.
Are test scores required or superscored for these?
No. MSU Denver is test-optional and these scholarships do not use test scores or superscoring.
Can these stack with other scholarships?
Tuition-rate programs like WUE do not stack with other tuition-changing waivers. However, scholarships such as RaiseMe or department awards may stack with others. Always verify stacking policies for each award.
Are there priority dates I could miss?
Yes. The RaiseMe profile must be completed by July 1 for incoming freshmen. Most other scholarships require the General Scholarship Application, which typically opens December 1 and has a priority deadline of March 1.
MSU Denver Scholarships – [https://msudenver.edu/scholarships/](https://msudenver.edu/scholarships/)
MSU Denver Financial Aid – [https://msudenver.edu/scholarships/financialaid/](https://msudenver.edu/scholarships/financialaid/)
MSU Denver General Scholarship Application – [https://msudenver.academicworks.com/](https://msudenver.academicworks.com/)
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships – [https://msudenver.edu/financialaid/](https://msudenver.edu/financialaid/)
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
MSU Denver routes all competitive, university-level scholarships through the General Scholarship Application. Unlike some large flagship universities, it does not publicly offer named full-ride or full-tuition merit packages. Most awards are donor-funded and updated annually; students are matched to eligible scholarships after submitting the General Application, but those awards are not pre-announced or big enough for flagship charting.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No competitive, university-wide merit scholarships are published. All awards are run through the General Scholarship Application and are not named or guaranteed prior to selection. | ||||||
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Does MSU Denver offer full-ride or full-tuition merit scholarships?
No. The university does not list any flagship competitive merit scholarships; all major awards are donor-based and routed through the General Scholarship Application.
How do students compete for scholarships?
Students are matched to awards by completing the General Scholarship Application (open December 1, priority deadline March 1). Selection is based on essays, GPA, or leadership criteria listed for each donor award.
Are separate applications required?
No for most awards — only one General Scholarship Application is needed. Some specialty programs (e.g., specific departmental or state grants) may require additional steps outside of this process.
Are departmental or Honors scholarships included here?
No. Departmental and Honors awards are covered separately in “Hidden Gems” and Honors sections. Flagship competitive awards refer only to university-wide, high-value merit scholarships.
MSU Denver Scholarships – [https://msudenver.edu/scholarships/](https://msudenver.edu/scholarships/)
MSU Denver General Scholarship Application – [https://msudenver.academicworks.com/](https://msudenver.academicworks.com/)
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships – [https://msudenver.edu/financialaid/](https://msudenver.edu/financialaid/)
Scholarships for MSU Denver Students – [https://msudenver.edu/scholarships/current-students/](https://msudenver.edu/scholarships/current-students/)
🎖️ Honors College
MSU Denver does not run a traditional “Honors College” with separate tuition and its own set of scholarships. Instead, it offers a selective Honors Program for motivated students interested in small seminars, priority registration, and the opportunity to complete a senior research or creative project alongside faculty mentors. Admission to this program is not automatic—students apply and are evaluated on their essays, academic record, and leadership experience.
Around a 3.5+ GPA in high school or college*, strong writing samples, evidence of leadership or community involvement, and a willingness to take on a senior thesis or capstone project.
*Exact GPA cutoffs are not published; this is based on typical profiles.
- Priority course registration to help you graduate on time
- Access to the Honors House and a tight-knit student community
- Small, discussion-based classes across disciplines
- Funding support for research and travel tied to your senior project
- Special recognition on your transcript and diploma
Honors Program FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Students apply separately and are evaluated primarily on their essay responses and academic record.
Does the Honors Program add time to my degree?
No — projects and seminars are designed to fit within your existing major requirements.
Are there extra scholarships for Honors students?
Not directly. While Honors provides perks and research funding, major scholarships at MSU Denver are handled through the General Scholarship Application and departmental funds.
When should I apply?
Applications typically open in the spring for the following fall cohort. Early submission is encouraged since spaces are limited.
MSU Denver Honors Program: https://msudenver.edu/honors
Honors Program Admission Criteria: https://msudenver.edu/honors/admission-criteria
MSU Denver Scholarships: https://msudenver.edu/scholarships
MSU Denver General Scholarship Application: https://msudenver.academicworks.com
⭐ College Specialty
If you ask Denver employers what MSU Denver grads bring to the table, they’ll point to hands-on skills in industries that matter to Colorado’s economy. From aerospace labs to on-campus restaurants and breweries, programs here are built around direct pipelines to jobs. That makes MSU Denver less about prestige labels and more about what you can do the day after graduation.
🏭 Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing — Home to the Advanced Manufacturing Sciences Institute, with a $1M Lockheed Martin additive manufacturing lab and an Aerospace & Engineering Sciences building that connects directly to Colorado’s growing space industry.
- Hospitality, Tourism & Events — Recognized statewide for its SpringHill Suites® hotel and on-campus restaurant/brewpub, giving students real-world hospitality management experience.
- Brewery Operations — One of the only four-year Brewing Industry programs in the U.S., featuring the Charlie Papazian Brewing Education Lab and partnerships across Colorado’s craft beer sector.
- Teacher Education — MSU Denver is consistently among the top producers of teacher graduates in Colorado, preparing more licensed educators than most universities in the state.
- Criminal Justice & Criminology — Noted in state workforce reports as one of Colorado’s largest pipelines into law enforcement and justice careers.