2026 Best Value Education Schools in Colorado

1

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

For return on investment in education, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,953. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Community College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Community College Of Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $18,399. Set against $14,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Community College Of Aurora
Aurora, CO

A rank of #3 makes Community College Of Aurora one of the best values for education. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,365. Early-career education graduates make about $38,587. Set against $15,365 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO

Morgan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,252, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Education graduates carry a median of $11,746 in student loans. Education graduates of Morgan Community College earn a median of $70,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,746 median debt.

5

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

A rank of #5 makes Red Rocks Community College one of the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Students borrow a median of $14,471 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. That is a strong return on a $14,471 median debt.

6

Aims Community College
Greeley, CO

Aims Community College came in at #6 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,199. Education graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Set against $11,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO

Arapahoe Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Students borrow a median of $20,448 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,579. That is a strong return on a $20,448 median debt.

8

Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College landed the #8 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $16,066 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $41,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, CO

Pueblo Community College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $26,812. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.

10

Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO

Front Range Community College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,150. Early-career education graduates make about $29,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Trinidad State Junior College
Trinidad, CO

Trinidad State Junior College landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $10,502 in student loans. Education graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Colorado Northwestern Community College
Rangely, CO

Colorado Northwestern Community College placed #12 among the best values for education. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $18,127 in student loans. Education graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of $56,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #13 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Education graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Education graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $48,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,325 median debt. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.

14

Northeastern Junior College
Sterling, CO

Northeastern Junior College landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,730, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. Education graduates carry a median of $13,156 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $38,543. Set against $13,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Colorado State University Global Campus
Denver, CO

Colorado State University Global Campus earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $9,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,955. Early-career education graduates make about $62,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

16

Adams State College
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $54,743. Set against $25,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $26,640 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $41,582 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,640 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.

18

Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $52,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #19 position for value in education this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $45,259 early in their careers. Set against $25,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

20

Western State College Of Colorado
Gunnison, CO

Western State College Of Colorado earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,455. Early-career education graduates make about $51,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.

21

Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $18,888. Early-career education graduates make about $30,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

22

Montessori Education Center Of The Rockies
Denver, CO

Montessori Education Center Of The Rockies placed #22 among the best values for education. Montessori Education Center Of The Rockies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,643. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado placed #23 among the best values for education. 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 $23,970 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver landed the #24 spot for education value this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,936 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $64,552. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.

25

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #25 position for value in education 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, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $82,159 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,843 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.