2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Eastern Wyoming College
Torrington, WY

Eastern Wyoming College earned the #1 spot for value among secondary education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $7,690. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.

2

Snow College
Ephraim, UT

A rank of #2 makes Snow College one of the best values for secondary education. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,776. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Laramie County Community College
Cheyenne, WY

Laramie County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,302. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.

4

College Of Western Idaho
Nampa, ID

A rank of #4 makes College Of Western Idaho one of the best values for secondary education. 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, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,626 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.

5

Northwest College
Powell, WY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest College earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,962, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $12,996. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. That is a strong return on a $12,996 median debt.

6

Sheridan College
Sheridan, WY

Sheridan College came in at #6 for value in secondary 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. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $11,334. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Sheridan College generally make around $49,039. Set against $11,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Western Wyoming Community College
Rock Springs, WY

Western Wyoming Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $12,628. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Western Wyoming Community College generally make around $53,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Weber State University placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $18,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $56,210. Set against $18,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming came in at #9 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $45,901. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

10

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $56,279. That is a strong return on a $16,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

11

Salish Kootenai College
Pablo, MT

Salish Kootenai College placed #11 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,311, compared with $11,583 for out-of-state students. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $52,607.

12

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho placed #12 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,750. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $48,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

13

Central Wyoming College
Riverton, WY

Central Wyoming College landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the town of Riverton, Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $11,100. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $12,820 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $65,164. Set against $12,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #14 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,040. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $40,198 early in their careers. Set against $25,040 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.

15

Montana State University Northern
Havre, MT

Montana State University Northern placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,875 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,855 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,896. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

The University Of Montana Western
Dillon, MT

The University Of Montana Western earned the #16 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,669, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,269 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,269 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

17

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana earned the #17 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,880 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,654. Set against $24,880 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University landed the #18 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $43,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt.

19

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado came in at #19 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $25,906 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $40,614. That is a strong return on a $25,906 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.

20

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $42,237. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

22

Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.

23

Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa, ID

Northwest Nazarene University landed the #23 spot for secondary education value this year. 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. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Northwest Nazarene University earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northwest Nazarene University admits about 65% of applicants.

24

Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College came in at #24 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 18%.