Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) is a public university founded in 1965 with an explicit mission to serve students underrepresented in higher education. Located on the Auraria Campus in the heart of Denver, Colorado, it is the state's third-largest public university, enrolling over 16,000 students. MSU Denver holds designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and claims to serve the most diverse undergraduate population in Colorado, with more first-generation students than any other university in the state.
The university offers a broad range of credentials across its academic portfolio:
- Undergraduate programs: Over 100 majors and minors across multiple disciplines
- Graduate programs: More than 10 post-baccalaureate degree programs
- Certificate programs: 42 shorter credentials focused on specific skills or topics
MSU Denver's academic model is oriented toward affordability and career preparation. The institution operates according to its CADRE values - Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence - with an emphasis on accessibility regardless of a student's background or life path. Multicultural and global perspectives are woven into its institutional priorities.
