Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public university located in downtown Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1965, it serves as part of the Auraria Higher Education Center campus and offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs across business, health professions, education, liberal arts, and sciences. The university was established to expand access to higher education for working adults and underrepresented students, and it continues to emphasize affordability and urban engagement. With flexible scheduling and strong ties to the Denver metropolitan community, Metropolitan State University of Denver attracts traditional students, transfer students, and adult learners seeking career-focused programs in a diverse, city-based academic environment.

Metropolitan State University of Denver was founded in 1965 as Metropolitan State College, created by the Colorado General Assembly to expand access to affordable four-year education in Denver. Classes began in October 1965, serving students who often balanced work and family responsibilities. In 1966, Kenneth Phillips was named the first president, guiding the young institution through its early growth and the establishment of four-year status. During the late 1960s and 1970s, the college became part of the Auraria Higher Education Center, sharing a campus in downtown Denver with other public institutions. The school added graduate programs and broadened its academic offerings over the following decades. In 1990, the name changed to Metropolitan State College of Denver, and in 2012 it officially became Metropolitan State University of Denver. Today, Metropolitan State University of Denver remains focused on access, urban engagement, and workforce-oriented education in Colorado’s capital city.