Student Body

Who comes to Metro State?
People like you! Whether you are arriving straight from high school, transferring from another college or are an adult completing your degree, you will find many other Metro State students just like you. Varying backgrounds—including differences in culture, age, sexuality, ethnicity, religion and opinions—lead to the diversity that is Metro State.

Our students.
Students of all ages go to Metro State—from 16 to 60 and beyond. However, the average age is 26; 56 percent of our students are 24 and younger. Last fall more than 2,400 students came directly from high school and 2,300 transferred from other colleges.

Multiple cultures.
At Metro State, diversity invigorates the learning environment. We have the highest number of ethnic minorities in attendance of all four-year colleges in the state. Additionally, Metro State is ranked:

• Second in the state in graduating Hispanic students
• Among the top 100 colleges and universities in the nation for graduating Hispanic students –Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education
• Among the top 100 institutions in the nation for awarding baccalaureate degrees to minority students –Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

We support individuality.
The College fosters diversity in many ways. Almost one-fifth of our tenured and tenure-track professors are ethnic minorities; our diverse faculty hold world views that support each student’s individuality. The Rachel B. Noel and Richard T. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorships bring noted African American and Latina/o scholars to campus each year. Programs for women and for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students offer support and counseling.