2026 Best Value History Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

For return on investment in history, no school beat Brigham Young University Idaho this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

2

College Of Western Idaho
Nampa, ID

College Of Western Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. History graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.

3

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in history, landing the #3 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for history graduates is $16,478. Early-career history graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

4

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Students looking for strong value in history will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,750. History graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.

5

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #5 place for history. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for history graduates is $18,209. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $35,450. Set against $18,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

6

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. History graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. History graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $28,277 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University placed #8 among the best values for history. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. History graduates carry a median of $25,237 in student loans. Early-career history graduates make about $31,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

9

Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo placed #9 among the best values for history. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for history graduates is $21,000. Early-career history graduates make about $32,603. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo earned the #10 position for value in history this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $15,000. History graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $38,643 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

11

University Of Idaho
Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $27,965 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

12

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #12 position for value in history 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, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $34,125 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $42,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

13

Dixie State College Of Utah
Saint George, UT

Dixie State College Of Utah placed #13 among the best values for history. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,246. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete the history program here. History graduates of Dixie State College Of Utah earn a median of $42,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,666 median debt.

14

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #14 among the best values for history. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the history program here. Early-career history graduates make about $38,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

15

Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College came in at #15 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for history graduates is $22,310. Early-career history graduates make about $43,617. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

16

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana placed #16 among the best values for history. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for history graduates is $26,500. Early-career history graduates make about $28,508. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.

17

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado came in at #17 for value in history this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. History graduates carry a median of $23,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $35,403. Set against $23,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

18

Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID

Idaho State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $30,793. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Set against $30,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver landed the #19 spot for history value this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the history program here. History graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $38,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.

20

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #20 among the best values for history. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. History graduates carry a median of $24,152 in student loans. History graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $39,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

21

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University came in at #21 for value in history this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. History graduates carry a median of $28,050 in student loans. History graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $34,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,050 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

22

The College Of Idaho
Caldwell, ID

The College Of Idaho placed #22 among the best values for history. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,845 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for history graduates is $23,789. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from The College Of Idaho generally make around $30,968. Set against $23,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Idaho admits about 49% of applicants.

23

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University landed the #23 spot for history value this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the history program here. Soon after graduation, history degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $29,692. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #24 for value in history this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,905. History graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $37,044 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,905 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

25

Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value history schools. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,734. Typical student debt for history graduates is $17,921. History graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.