2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in curriculum & instruction in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $65,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

A rank of #2 makes Western Governors University one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,658. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,277 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $62,910. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.

3

Salish Kootenai College
Pablo, MT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salish Kootenai College earned it the #3 place for curriculum & instruction. Set in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,311, while out-of-state students pay about $11,583. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.

4

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $96,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

A rank of #5 makes University Of Idaho one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $47,187. That is a strong return on a $23,844 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

6

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #6 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $44,861. That is a strong return on a $27,484 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

7

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #7 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $23,559 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $50,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

8

Montana State University Billings
Billings, MT

Montana State University Billings placed #8 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $49,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver earned the #9 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $61,095 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.

10

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $44,274. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.

11

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $50,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

12

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University placed #12 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $48,880 early in their careers. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $51,379. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

14

Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO

Colorado Christian University placed #14 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $36,092. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $53,567 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,092 median debt.

15

Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University placed #15 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,824. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $27,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Northwest Nazarene University generally make around $47,049. Set against $27,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver came in at #16 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,534. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $58,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.