Undergraduate Tuition & Fees, Cost of Attendance (COA)

Tuition and fees are an average of all undergraduate programs based on full-time enrollment. Costs may vary depending on the program of study.

Books and Supplies are defined annually by the Colorado Department of Higher Education based on the high range of textbook costs published annually by the College Board.

• Off-campus housing costs are defined annually by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and based on 50% of the average rent and utility costs for a two-bedroom apartment in guidance with the Fair Market and Rent Documentation System.
• On-campus housing costs are based on the U.S. Department of Education’s federal guidance and determined annually by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships based on whichever is the greater- the average or the median amount assessed to students residing at Lynx Crossing in the prior academic year.
• With parent housing costs are defined annually by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) based on splitting the cost of a three-bedroom apartment split three ways in guidance with the Fair Market Rent Documentation System.

• Off-campus food costs are determined by CDHE based on the average annual expenditure for food in guidance with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey and adjusted for inflation costs
• On-campus food costs are based on the U.S. Department of Education’s federal guidance and determined annually by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships which include a standard allowance that provides the equivalent of three meals per day through the meal plans provided through Lynx Crossing.
• With parent food costs are defined by the Colorado Department of Higher Education for students who live with their parents and assumes that food is a shared cost across the household.

Health insurance costs are based on MSU Denver’s annual health insurance cost. Costs may vary per semester due to MSU Denver’s billing policy.

Transportation costs are established annually by CDHE who define local transportation expenses as the cost of using public transportation or sharing the operation of an automobile for the purpose of transporting to school, to home and to work.

Personal Miscellaneous costs include the costs of laundry, dry cleaning, toiletries, clothing, recreation, and recreational transportation.

Students may appeal for an increase to the standard cost of attendance if they have expenses that are greater than those of the typical student due to special circumstances.

The standard COA includes allowances for tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation, medical insurance, and a reasonable living allowance.

Special circumstances that may be considered could include a variety of items such as:

• High medical/dental costs not covered by insurance
• Costs of equipment or supplies required for a specific class
• Disability related expenses not covered by other programs
• Dependent childcare expenses incurred during periods of university attendance
• Purchase of a computer or computer-related equipment or upgrades
• Actual tuition and/or course fees that are higher than the average

Students with expenses not included in the standard estimated COA may appeal to increase their COA by using the financial aid forms.

This fee is used to support the debt service requirements of the debt financing for the Auraria Child Care Center, the Tivoli Student Union, and the Auraria Event Center.

This fee allows MSU Denver students access to all MSU Denver intercollegiate sporting events. This fee also funds the operating budget for MSU Denver’s NCAA-II intercollegiate athletic program, which consists of nine women’s and seven men’s varsity teams.

This student-approved fee is used for the operation of a wide range of high-quality, and inclusive recreational and wellness opportunities. The fee supports equipment replacement, program, and facility improvements.

This tri-institution student-approved fee is used to fund the development, enhancement, and ongoing maintenance of the Tivoli Park/Quad, Tivoli Patio and Coffee Lounge, and future campus-wide student gathering spaces.

This student-approved fee is for purchasing clean, renewable, electrical power for the Auraria Campus.

This fee funds a portion of the Health Center at Auraria and the MSU Denver Counseling Center operating budgets. Fees support the cost of campus safety infrastructure, medical and mental health personnel, and health education.

This student-approved fee is used to support the Phoenix Center at Auraria (PCA). The Center is a victim advocacy program providing free, confidential resources and assistance.

This student-approved fee will provide capital financing for the construction of a new Metropolitan State University Neighborhood, student scholarships, and student equipment and classroom enhancements.

This fee supports student services through the following programs: Auraria Early Learning Center, Career Services, Club Sports, Center for Visual Arts, Institute for Women’s Studies and Services, LGBTQ Student Resource Center, Music, Student Activities, Student Engagement and Wellness, Student Government, Student Media, Student Organization Funding, Student Travel, and Theatre.

This fee makes possible design/accessibility enhancements to existing online courses, expansion of online student services (enrollment, advising, tutoring, testing, career services), faculty training for online instruction, development of new courses, creation of fully-online programs, and support for online education technology. This fee will also support, maintain, and enhance technology and software in classrooms, labs, and online learning environments.

This fee is charged to ALL students including non-degree seeking and students auditing courses. The matriculation fee is assessed during the 1st semester only and is used to offset orientation, student ID card, and graduation costs. This fee is not included in the Tuition and Fees Table but will appear on the billing statement.

This program fee is charged exclusively for online classes at $20.00 per credit hour to support online education and the online classroom environment.