Finance and Financial Management Services at Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver's finance program manages an impressive feat: delivering above-national-average earnings while keeping debt far below typical levels. At $54,579 in first-year earnings, graduates edge past the national median, and that 27% earnings bump to nearly $70,000 by year four shows solid career momentum. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 is particularly noteworthy—this program ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden, meaning 95% of finance programs saddle students with more debt.

The Colorado picture tells a more complex story. While MSU Denver's graduates trail the state median by about $900 initially and sit at the 40th percentile among Colorado programs, they're within striking distance of University of Denver ($56,402) despite MSU Denver's open-admission model and average debt that's $10,000 lower than the state median. For families who would pay similar in-state tuition at Colorado's limited finance program options, that debt advantage matters more than a modest earnings gap.

The practical math works: with under $30,000 in debt and starting salaries in the mid-$50s, graduates face manageable monthly payments while building toward $70,000+ mid-career earnings. For Colorado residents choosing between in-state options, MSU Denver offers legitimate value—you're getting similar outcomes to more selective programs without the debt burden that typically comes with them.