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| Motto | Where life and learning meet |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university |
| Established | 1971; 55 years ago (1971) |
Parent institution | Minnesota State System |
Academic affiliations | CUMU |
| Endowment | $6.0 million (2019)[1] |
| Budget | $108 million (2019)[2] |
| President | Ginny Arthur |
Academic staff | 750 community faculty 174 resident faculty |
| Students | 7861[3] |
| Undergraduates | 7031 |
| Postgraduates | 830 |
| Location | , U.S. 44°57′25″N93°4′26″W / 44.95694°N 93.07389°W /44.95694; -93.07389 |
| Campus | Urban |
| Website | www |
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Metropolitan State University (Metro State) is apublic university in theMinneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota metropolitan area. It is a member of theMinnesota State Colleges and Universities system.[4][5]
The institution was founded in 1971 asMinnesota Metropolitan State College with a mission to educate non-traditional students from the Twin Cities metropolitan area whose needs were not served by other existing institutions.[6]David E. Sweet was appointed the university's first president[7] and the school, with offices above a drugstore in downtown St. Paul, admitted the first class of 50 students in 1972. The university had no campus and held classes in rented space throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. When Metropolitan State began, it was a college for working adults. It was strictly an upper-division college where students could complete only their junior and senior years of academic study.[8] The university initially followed a non-traditional course: it offered competence-based learning whereby students were recognized for learning gained outside the classroom—including prior learning through experience. Letter grades were available, but they were always optional. Students designed their own degree plans.
During the 1980s, enrollment grew from around 1,000 students to over 2,500. The university expanded its programs to 30 baccalaureate programs as the state increased funding for the institution.[8]
The university began admittingfreshmen andsophomores and adopted general education requirements and a grading policy withgrade point averages in 1994. In 1992, the main campus moved to theDayton's Bluff section of eastSaint Paul.[8] The university maintained a commitment to offering classes in spaces throughout the metropolitan area. Today the main campus is in Saint Paul, and additional campus facilities are in Midway, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Park.
During the 2009–2010 school year, Metro State enrolled 6,000 full-time equivalent students. From 2008 to June 30, 2014, Sue K. Hammersmith was Metro State's president. During Hammersmith's six-year tenure, the number of degrees conferred increased by 38%. Devinder Malhotra became Metro State's president on July 1, 2014. During the 2014–2015 school year, Metro State served 12,000 full and part-time students. Virginia Arthur was Metro State'sprovost from 2012 until 2016, when she became the university's president.
As part of its mission to educate working adults and non-traditional students, Metro State previously had an open admissions policy with rolling applications accepted throughout the year.[8][11] According toU.S. News & World Report's 2022 "Best Colleges" ranking guide, Metro State University is a 'national university' with a 56% acceptance rate.[12]
Metro State offers 62 undergraduate degree programs, a self-designed B.A. degree in liberal arts, a self-designed/individualized B.A. degree, and three undergraduate certificates through its four colleges and three schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Management, the College of Health, Community and Professional Studies, the School of Nursing, the School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, the School of Urban Education and the College of Individualized Studies.[13]
Metro State University offers 25 master's degree programs, an MA or MS degree in individualized studies, and an interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree in liberal studies. The university also offers eleven graduate certificate programs. In 2007, Metro State began offering an applied doctor of nursing practice degree. Metro State launched the first applied doctorate in business administration within the Minnesota State system during fall semester 2010. The Bachelor of Science in Accounting program is the largest in Minnesota. Moreover, graduates of Metro State's accounting program consistently place among the top-10 finishers in Minnesota's exacting CPA examination.[14] Altogether, Metro State offers a total of 108 undergraduate and graduate academic degrees and certificates—this does not include any undergraduate minor programs.[15]
The university isaccredited by theHigher Learning Commission with specific programs accredited by relevant discipline-specific accreditors such as theAccreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP),[16]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)[17] andCouncil on Social Work Education (CSWE).[18] Metro State is also accredited by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB), the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), and theSociety for Human Resource Management (SHRM). In addition, Metro State has received recognition and endorsements from theInstitute of Management Accountants (IMA) and from the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.[19][20]
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 36% | ||
| Black | 32% | ||
| Asian | 17% | ||
| Hispanic | 8% | ||
| Two or more races | 4% | ||
| International student | 2% | ||
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 1% | ||
| Unknown | 1% | ||
| Economic diversity | |||
| Pell Grant Recipients | 47% | ||
Based on data from the 2016–2017 academic year, 45% of Metro State University's student body were students of color, while 4% were from out of state and 2% were international. 42% of students were male and 58% were female.[22] Students ranged in age from 15 to 84. The Class of 2015 had an 82% licensure exam pass rate. Metro State has a 67% six-year graduation rate.
Metro State University accommodates the needs of working adults by scheduling many of its classes in the evening and on weekends. It is possible for recent graduates of Minneapolis and St. Paul public high schools to attend Metro State tuition free.[5]
In 2002, the Minnesota legislature approved funding for the construction of a library at the St. Paul campus; the building opened in 2004. Thelibrary also houses a branch of theSaint Paul Public Library. This is Minnesota's only university/public library partnership and one of only a few nationwide.[citation needed]
To encourage the spiritual development of students and members of the community, the library built the David Barton Community Labyrinth and Reflective Garden, named in honor of the library's first dean. The labyrinth is open to the public and has been the setting for several events.[23]
Metro State's first graduating class consisted of 12 people on February 1, 1973. As of December 16, 2024, Metro State has 56,354 alumni. Notable alumni include:
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