Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 35.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 38.4%
- Retention Rate
- 73.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $64,705
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $17,100
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 56.8%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $181/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $76,998 | $12,541 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $68,821 | $19,287 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $65,131 | $38,159 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $63,005 | $50,693 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $62,012 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $57,318 | $22,786 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $57,318 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $54,713 | $16,499 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor | $53,775 | $17,640 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $51,077 | $18,976 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $49,784 | $17,500 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $48,097 | $21,335 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $46,087 | $16,625 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $45,891 | $18,750 |
Outcomes Overview
Metropolitan State graduates enter the workforce with a median debt of $17,100, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 27% against their $64,705 median salary after ten years. Monthly loan payments of $181 represent only 4% of typical graduate income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The university's focus on career-oriented programs for working adults pays off with a 95.1% employment rate. Many graduates work in healthcare administration, social services, and business management roles throughout the Twin Cities metro area. The combination of relatively low debt, strong employment outcomes, and solid earnings growth from $53,416 at one year to $64,705 at ten years delivers a strong return on investment for students seeking practical career advancement.