Top National Rankings for Social Mobility
Metropolitan State University’s proudest achievement is its outstanding performance in the area of social mobility. According to the 2025 Washington Monthly College Guide and Rankings, the university ranks 13th in the nation out of 585 institutions. This ranking highlights the institution’s “contribution to the nation,” with a particular focus on how much student graduation rates have improved relative to the student body’s background.
Metro State’s performance is even more impressive on the Social Mobility Index. CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index measures a university’s success in helping students move from low-income backgrounds into the middle class. Based on 2022 data, Metro State ranked 22nd in the nation (in the top 1.6%) and first in Minnesota. The latest data for 2025 propels the university into the top 1% in the U.S. (12th place) and the number one spot in the Midwest.
In the U.S. News 2026 Best Colleges rankings, Metropolitan State University ranks 107th among universities in the Midwest and 18th in social mobility. These rankings collectively attest to the university’s outstanding success in helping economically disadvantaged students achieve upward mobility. Societal Benefits of Obtaining an American College Degree
A Unique Model of Personalized Education
Metropolitan State University’s most distinctive educational resource is its College of Individualized Studies. As the university’s largest college, it allows students to design customized degree programs based on their educational, professional, and personal goals. This tradition stems from the university’s early competency-based model and remains a core feature that sets it apart from other universities.
As President Virginia “Ginny” Arthur noted in her welcome address, the university embraces a “problem-solving” approach to education. She quoted Google education expert Jaime Casap: “Instead of asking students, ‘What major do you want to pursue?’ ask them, ‘What problem do you want to solve?’ and then help them create a curriculum that supports solving that problem.”
The School’s Department of Human Services and Counseling offers nationally recognized programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Educational Programs in Human Services. The department’s core curriculum includes 600 hours of field experience, during which students apply classroom learning in community agencies while building professional networks and career opportunities.
Affordable Tuition and Generous Financial Aid
Metropolitan State University attracts many students with its exceptional value. For the 2025–2026 academic year, undergraduate tuition and fees are $10,354 per year (based on 15 credits per semester), and $9,562 per year for graduate students. Including books, living expenses, transportation, and personal expenses, the total cost is approximately $36,782 per year. According to U.S. News data, in-state and out-of-state tuition is $9,840, with an average net cost of $19,523.
The university offers a variety of financial aid options. The Metropolitan State University Foundation provides multiple scholarship application opportunities each March and October. The Federal Work-Study Program and on-campus student jobs also allow students to earn money to cover living expenses while studying. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university’s mission to serve low-income students.
Strong Employment Prospects and Career Support
Metropolitan State University graduates perform strongly in the job market. The median salary six years after graduation is $54,828. The university conducts an annual graduate employment survey, with data broken down by major, helping students understand career prospects for each field.
The university’s Career Development Center provides lifelong support to alumni. Graduates can continue to access job opportunities through the Handshake platform and attend employer information sessions on campus. For students wishing to pursue further education, the university also offers graduate school application counseling and personal statement writing support.
The university’s alumni network spans Minnesota and the entire United States, including leaders in business, finance, healthcare, and public service.
The accounting program is the largest in Minnesota, and its graduates consistently rank in the top ten on the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.
Comprehensive Campus Facilities and Student Support
The Metropolitan State University Student Center is the heart of campus life, offering a variety of amenities for all students, including family-friendly study rooms, bookable meeting and event spaces, quiet reflection areas, a fitness center, and computer and printing services. The Office of Student Life and Leadership Development supports student organizations and club activities.
The university was also honored with the Diversity Excellence Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine in 2025, receiving widespread recognition for its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching designated Metropolitan State University as a “Community Engagement” institution in both 2008 and 2015, recognizing its outstanding performance in community engagement.
Choosing Metropolitan State University means choosing a public university that excels in social mobility, offers a uniquely personalized education, and provides exceptional value for money. Whether you are a working adult looking to complete your bachelor’s degree or a transfer student seeking a flexible learning path, Metropolitan State University can help you take a leap forward in your life with its fifty-year tradition of education and robust career support.
