2026 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

College Of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls, ID

Leading the list is College Of Southern Idaho, our #1 best value for education in the Rocky Mountains Region. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Education graduates carry a median of $8,006 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Eastern Wyoming College
Torrington, WY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Wyoming College earned it the #2 place for education. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,290, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $7,690. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.

3

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

A rank of #3 makes Snow College one of the best values for education. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.

4

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Colorado Mountain College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,878 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $42,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

6

Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne, WY

Laramie County Community College placed #6 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, compared with $10,913 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,649 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $42,031. Set against $13,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University came in at #8 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $17,890 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $49,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Community College Of Aurora
Aurora, CO

Community College Of Aurora came in at #9 for value in education this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Education graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Western Wyoming Community College
Rock Springs, WY

Western Wyoming Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Students borrow a median of $12,628 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Western Wyoming Community College earn a median of $53,554 early in their careers. Set against $12,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO

Morgan Community College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,252, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Students borrow a median of $11,746 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $70,412. Set against $11,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

College Of Western Idaho
Nampa, ID

College Of Western Idaho earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,626. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.

13

Northwest College
Powell, WY

Northwest College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. In-state tuition and fees average $4,962, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,996 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Sheridan College
Sheridan, WY

Sheridan College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Education graduates carry a median of $11,334 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $49,039. That is a strong return on a $11,334 median debt.

15

Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College placed #15 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,408. Education graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. Set against $10,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Fort Peck Community College
Poplar, MT

Fort Peck Community College earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Fort Peck Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Poplar. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $14,747.

17

Community College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Community College Of Denver placed #17 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Education graduates carry a median of $14,375 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $18,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Aims Community College
Greeley, CO

Aims Community College landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,199 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $45,909. Set against $11,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,471. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Education graduates carry a median of $25,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $52,238. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, UT

Western Governors University came in at #21 for value in education this year. Western Governors University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $8,658 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $25,146 in student loans. Education graduates of Western Governors University earn a median of $52,727 early in their careers. Set against $25,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Salish Kootenai College
Pablo, MT

Salish Kootenai College earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Salish Kootenai College is a small public school located in the rural area of Pablo. In-state tuition and fees average $4,311, with out-of-state students paying around $11,583. Early-career education graduates make about $52,607.

23

Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO

Arapahoe Community College came in at #24 for value in education this year. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,448 to complete the education program here. Education 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.

25

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $16,151 in student loans. Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $45,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.