Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State
University of Denver
Former names
Metropolitan State College (1965–1990)
Metropolitan State College of Denver
(1990–2012)
Motto"Changemakers Wanted"
On Seal: "Excellence in Teaching and Learning"
TypePublic university
Established1965
Academic affiliations
Endowment$26.2 million (2024)
PresidentJanine A. Davidson
ProvostMatthew S. Makley
Total staff
2,848 (faculty, student, and non-academic staff as of Jan. 2022)
Students18,336 (fall 2025)
Undergraduates17,111 (fall 2025)
Postgraduates1,225 (fall 2025)
Location,
U.S.

39°44′38″N 105°00′41″W / 39.7440°N 105.0115°W / 39.7440; -105.0115 (Metropolitan State University of Denver)
CampusUrban,126 acres (51 ha)
NewspaperThe Metropolitan
Colors   Blue & red
NicknameRoadrunners
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IIRocky Mountain
MascotRowdy the Roadrunner
Websitemsudenver.edu

Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver or Metro State) is a public university in Denver, Colorado, United States. It is located on the Auraria Campus, along with the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Denver, in downtown Denver, adjacent to Speer Boulevard and Colfax Avenue. In the fall 2025 semester, MSU Denver had an enrollment of 17,111 undergraduate students and 1,225 graduate students.