Metro State University

What Metro State University does

Metro State University is a public university established in 1971 and headquartered at 700 East Seventh Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota, operating as a member institution of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 136F. The university serves a primarily nontraditional student population — including working adults, parents, first-generation college students, transfer students, veterans, and international learners — across three physical campuses in Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Brooklyn Park, plus embedded course delivery at three Minnesota State partner institutions (Century College, Hennepin Technical College, Minneapolis College) and 100% online degree pathways. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees, graduate certificates, and continuing education, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and designated Beyond the Yellow Ribbon for veteran support.

The institution's core academic technology stack is built on D2L Brightspace as the Learning Management System, with StarID providing single-sign-on authentication across the Minnesota State system, Microsoft 365 for email and collaboration, eServices for registration and financial aid, Handshake for career management, and supplementary platforms including Zoom, Kaltura/MediaSpace, LinkedIn Learning, and Togetherall for peer mental health support. No proprietary technology is developed in-house; all platforms are commercial or system-shared. Supporting services are extensive and include TRIO Student Support Services (a federally-funded program serving 380 first-generation, low-income, and disabled students with $851,242 in annual U.S. Department of Education grant funding), the Center for Accessibility Resources, Counseling Services, Career Center, Veterans Services, Food Pantry, and Public Safety contracted through Allied Universal Security.

Metro State's revenue model is that of a public higher-education institution: tuition and fees (varying by residency and level), Minnesota State appropriations, federal student aid (Pell Grants, GI Bill, Title IV programs), and private donations channeled through the University Foundation. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer enrollment via the institutional website, social media, campus visits, Meet Metro information sessions, and community partnerships; the undergraduate final application deadline is August 1. The institution is recognized as Top 1% for social mobility (1st in the Midwest, 12th nationally per CollegeNet's 2025 Social Mobility Index) and ranked 13th by Washington Monthly for value in higher education. The university is governed by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees and is not privately owned or investment-backed.

Name

Metro State University

Legal name

Metropolitan State University

Website

https://metrostate.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Metro State University is a public university in the Minnesota State system, founded in 1971 and headquartered in Saint Paul, serving primarily nontraditional undergraduate and graduate students across three Twin Cities campuses and online programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban/Metropolitan Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate degrees
• Graduate programs
• Online learning
• Continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from undergraduate and graduate tuition, along with various student fees for educational services and programs.
2. State Funding: Public university funding from the State of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.
3. Federal Financial Aid: Federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, GI Bill benefits, and other federal education assistance that flows through the institution.
4. Donations and Foundation: Private donations and philanthropy through the University Foundation supporting scholarships and institutional programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Metro State University is a public higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and continuing education across disciplines including liberal arts, sciences, business, nursing, and community studies. The university serves primarily nontraditional students through flexible scheduling, online and hybrid learning, and comprehensive student support services across multiple Twin Cities campus locations. It operates within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Product overview

Metro State University offers a comprehensive suite of educational and student support services delivered through an integrated digital ecosystem. The core academic platform includes D2L Brightspace as the primary learning management system, supplemented by specialized services for career development (Handshake, Career Center), student health (Counseling Services), accessibility (Center for Accessibility Resources), and campus operations (Gateway Student Services, Registrar's Office). The university provides multiple integrated technology platforms including Microsoft 365, Zoom, Handshake, and the Minnesota State eServices portal. Student support services form a coordinated network covering academic advising, mental health, basic needs (food pantry), veteran services, TRIO programs, judicial affairs, and public safety. Financial aid services include the North Star Promise Scholarship and various federal and state assistance programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs
• Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs
• 100% Online Degree Programs
• Financial Aid Services
• Career Center Services
• Counseling and Mental Health Services
• Veterans Services
• TRIO Student Support Services
• Center for Accessibility Resources (CAR)
• Library and Information Services
• Student Health and Basic Needs Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked 1st in the Midwest and 12th in the nation in CollegeNet's 2025 Social Mobility Index
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kitchen CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide free meals for the Metro State community through local restaurants, delivered as single-serving microwavable take-out trays available at the food pantry.
• Second Harvest HeartlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood pantry partner providing food resources to Metro State students, staff, and community members. Students can also be connected to SNAP benefits through Second Harvest Heartland Care Center.
• Century CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner institution campus security coordination. Metro State offers classes at Century College location with security services provided through Century College Campus Security at 651-747-4000.
• Hennepin Technical CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner institution at Public Safety and Police Science Center in Brooklyn Park. Security contact: 763-488-2655. Metro State offers classes at this location.
• Minneapolis CollegecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner institution with public safety coordination. Security contact: 612-659-6900. Metro State offers classes at Minneapolis College location.
• Allied Universal SecuritycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMetro State University contracts with Allied Universal Security for uniformed professional security staff including Security Director Nathaniel Williams, Security Manager Tristan Rew, and Security Supervisor Andrew Walker.
• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetro State University is a member of the Minnesota State system, governed by the Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities under Minnesota Statutes chapter 136F.
• University of Minnesota Army ROTCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerROTC resources and programs available to Metro State students including scholarships. Students can transfer ROTC credits to Metro State. Contact: Department of Military Science at University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• St. Cloud State University: Minnesota State system peer serving a similar mix of traditional and nontraditional students. Comparable pricing tier, system governance, and reliance on state appropriations.
• Bemidji State University: Minnesota State system public university serving traditional and nontraditional students under similar funding and pricing dynamics; competes within the same enrollment ecosystem.
• Minnesota State University Moorhead: Minnesota State system public university with comparable undergraduate offerings and tuition model, serving overlapping transfer and regional populations.
• Cleveland State University: Metropolitan public university with a comparable mission of access and social mobility, serving working adults and urban learners. Operates under similar budget constraints and competitive dynamics.
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee: Urban public research university serving a similarly diverse, nontraditional student population in a major Midwest metro. Closest structural analog outside the Minnesota State system.
• Winona State University: Sister Minnesota State institution with overlapping undergraduate programs and tuition structure. Competes for the same regional Minnesota applicant pool within the system.
• Minnesota State University, Mankato: Another comprehensive public university within the Minnesota State system. Comparable size, mission, and student profile; competes for similar Minnesota-resident and transfer students across overlapping program areas.

Regional players

• Augsburg University: Minneapolis-based private university with strong nontraditional-student programs. Directly comparable mission serving working adults and diverse learners in the same Twin Cities market.
• Hamline University: Private nonprofit university in Saint Paul serving similar undergraduate and graduate populations. Competes on program breadth and student experience but at a significantly higher price point.

Broad incumbents

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities: Minnesota's flagship public research university, located in the same Twin Cities metro. Competes for high-achieving students and transfers, and offers a much broader program portfolio that can pull prospective applicants away from Metro State.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/metrostateu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCWqIRPMMnBeUe0tgJB9n1hg
• Facebookfacebook.com/MetroStateUniversity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metro-state-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/metrostate

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metro State University