Economics at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's economics program lands squarely in the middle of Colorado's competitive landscape, with estimated first-year earnings around $51,500—matching the state median and nearly identical to the national benchmark. The $23,750 in typical debt sits just above both state and national averages, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 that most financial advisors would consider manageable. What's less certain is whether these statewide estimates accurately reflect Met State's specific outcomes, since the school's actual graduate data was too small for the Department of Education to publish.

The four-year earnings figure of $55,472 offers a more concrete data point, though the modest jump from year one to year four—about $4,000—suggests economics graduates here may not see the rapid salary progression found at some peer institutions. Colorado College's economics grads, for instance, start around $58,000, while CU Boulder and CSU-Fort Collins cluster in similar territory to Met State. Given the university's 99% admission rate and accessibility mission (35% of students receive Pell grants), these outcomes represent solid returns for students who might not have access to more selective programs.

For parents, the practical calculus is straightforward: if your student can graduate with debt near $24,000 and land work paying around $51,000, they'll have a reasonable debt burden to manage. The uncertainty around whether Met State's specific graduates match these statewide estimates means you should push for conversations with the department about job placement and alumni outcomes before committing.