Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University stands as a beacon for non-traditional learners, particularly working adults in the vibrant Twin Cities metropolitan area. Since its founding in 1971, Metro State has been dedicated to meeting the unique educational needs of students whose paths don't fit conventional molds. Embodying its motto, "Where life and learning meet," the university fosters an environment where real-world experience is valued and integrated into academic pursuits.

The university began its journey with an innovative spirit, starting without a dedicated campus and holding classes in various rented spaces across the metro. Initially an upper-division college, it pioneered competence-based learning, recognizing students for knowledge gained outside traditional classrooms and allowing them to design personalized degree plans. This forward-thinking approach allowed thousands of working professionals to advance their education, with enrollment swelling from around 1,000 to over 2,500 students in the 1980s.

Over the decades, Metropolitan State has evolved while staying true to its founding mission. By 1994, it began welcoming freshmen and sophomores and adopted more conventional academic structures like general education requirements and grade point averages, expanding its offerings to 30 baccalaureate programs. Today, with a main campus in Saint Paul and additional facilities in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Park, Metro State continues to serve a diverse student body of over 7,800, providing accessible, quality education that truly integrates with students' lives and careers.