2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[General Business/Commerce](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/general-business-commerce/business-commerce-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools to find the best return on investment for general business/commerce students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general business/commerce degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Business/Commerce Schools
Snow College earned the #1 spot for value among general business/commerce schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $42,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,525 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $43,359 early in their careers. Set against $9,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laramie County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Aurora earned it the #4 place for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Sheridan College one of the best values for general business/commerce. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, compared with $11,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,463 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Sheridan College generally make around $49,039. Set against $8,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #6 spot for general business/commerce value this year. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $31,455 early in their careers.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #7 for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver earned the #8 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $18,830. General Business/commerce graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $45,202 early in their careers. Set against $18,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College earned the #9 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Students borrow a median of $20,448 to complete the general business/commerce program here. General Business/commerce graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $47,579 early in their careers. Set against $20,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $17,384. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $40,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Utah landed the #11 spot for general business/commerce value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
North Idaho College landed the #12 spot for general business/commerce value this year. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. In-state tuition and fees average $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $49,489. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #13 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $43,067. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Northeastern Junior College came in at #14 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,730, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $13,156 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $38,543. Set against $13,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #15 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. General Business/commerce graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Adams State College earned the #16 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,624 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $40,181. Set against $23,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs came in at #17 for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $51,764. General Business/commerce graduates of Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs earn a median of $37,212 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montana State University Billings placed #18 among the best values for general business/commerce. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $44,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana placed #19 among the best values for general business/commerce. Set in the town of Butte, Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $21,271. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $46,181. Set against $21,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana admits about 91% of applicants.
Idaho State University earned the #20 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Set against $24,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fort Lewis College placed #21 among the best values for general business/commerce. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for general business/commerce graduates is $20,500. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $33,376. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
Boise State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general business/commerce schools. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,800 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $41,116. That is a strong return on a $24,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Montana State University earned the #23 position for value in general business/commerce this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. General Business/commerce graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general business/commerce graduates make about $48,164. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Denver placed #24 among the best values for general business/commerce. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the general business/commerce program here. Soon after graduation, general business/commerce degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $89,350. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
