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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

38 Colleges in the United States
$15,972 Avg Student Debt
$45,698 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Studies Badge [General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 62 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Studies Schools

1
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Leading the list is Colorado Mountain College, our #1 best value for general studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,541. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $32,551. That is a strong return on a $7,541 median debt.

2
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,313 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $35,804 early in their careers. Set against $7,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Snow College crest
Snow College
Ephraim, UT

Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,521. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,687. That is a strong return on a $6,521 median debt.

4

College Of Southern Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,603 in student loans. General Studies graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $39,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,603 median debt.

5
Morgan Community College crest
Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO

Morgan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Morgan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $70,412. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.

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6
Miles Community College crest
Miles Community College
Miles City, MT

Miles Community College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,500, while out-of-state students pay about $11,220. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,949. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Miles Community College generally make around $67,708. That is a strong return on a $11,949 median debt.

7

Brigham Young University Idaho placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $25,104. That is a strong return on a $9,289 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

8

Community College Of Aurora came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,250. General Studies graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Utah Valley University came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,729. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $36,228. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Sheridan College crest
Sheridan College
Sheridan, WY

Sheridan College landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,211. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,308. That is a strong return on a $10,211 median debt.

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11
Northwest College crest
Northwest College
Powell, WY

Northwest College came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Northwest College earn a median of $19,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Laramie County Community College placed #12 among the best values for general studies. 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. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,309. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Fort Peck Community College placed #13 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Poplar, Fort Peck Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250. Median earnings reach $14,747 ten years out.

14

Aims Community College landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,152. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $29,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Western Wyoming Community College earned the #15 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public institution. 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 $16,175 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Western Wyoming Community College earn a median of $53,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Flathead Valley Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,912, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. General Studies graduates of Flathead Valley Community College earn a median of $30,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Red Rocks Community College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Students borrow a median of $11,913 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $27,242. Set against $11,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
Casper College crest
Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College placed #18 among the best values for general studies. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Students from in state pay about $4,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Community College Of Denver came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Students borrow a median of $14,445 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $29,078 early in their careers. Set against $14,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Latter Day Saints Business College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,004. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,630.

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21

Weber State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $17,208. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,015. That is a strong return on a $17,208 median debt.

22
Pikes Peak Community College crest
Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College landed the #22 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $26,779. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Dawson Community College came in at #23 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Glendive, Dawson Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,010, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Dawson Community College earn a median of $25,631 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Arapahoe Community College came in at #24 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $38,592. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt.

25

Front Range Community College placed #25 among the best values for general studies. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $35,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:

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34
Otero Junior College crest
Otero Junior College
La Junta, CO
35
North Idaho College crest
North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene, ID
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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 62 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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