2026 Best Value Journalism Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Leading the list is Salt Lake Community College, our #1 best value for journalism in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Journalism graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,710 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $41,431 early in their careers. Set against $16,710 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in journalism, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $14,953 to complete the journalism program here. Early-career journalism graduates make about $46,652. Set against $14,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

4

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #4. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $24,500. Journalism graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $37,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.

5

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

Students looking for strong value in journalism will find it at The University Of Montana, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Journalism graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Journalism graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $35,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado landed the #6 spot for journalism value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,750 to complete the journalism program here. Journalism graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $30,216 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #7 for value in journalism this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the journalism program here. Soon after graduation, journalism degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $36,352. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

8

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #8 for value in journalism this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for journalism graduates is $15,750. Journalism graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $34,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

9

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver earned the #9 position for value in journalism this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Journalism graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Early-career journalism graduates make about $56,999. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.