2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Colorado

1

Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Our analysis ranked Colorado Mountain College the best value for a degree in general studies in Colorado. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,541 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. Set against $7,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Morgan Community College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,250. General Studies graduates of Morgan Community College earn a median of $70,412 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Community College Of Aurora
Aurora, CO

Community College Of Aurora came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,729. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,913. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,242. Set against $11,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Aims Community College
Greeley, CO

Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Aims Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,152 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $29,845 early in their careers. Set against $9,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Community College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Community College Of Denver landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,445 median debt.

7

Pikes Peak Community College
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Community College landed the #7 spot for general studies 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 general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO

Arapahoe Community College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Lamar Community College
Lamar, CO

Lamar Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Lamar Community College is a small public school located in the town of Lamar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,550, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,300 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of $25,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,300 median debt.

10

Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO

Front Range Community College came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $35,023. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.

11

Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, CO

Pueblo Community College landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,962 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $30,640. That is a strong return on a $14,962 median debt.

12

Trinidad State Junior College
Trinidad, CO

Trinidad State Junior College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Students borrow a median of $9,995 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $30,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Colorado Northwestern Community College
Rangely, CO

Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $56,978. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Otero Junior College
La Junta, CO

Otero Junior College placed #14 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $66,338. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo placed #15 among the best values for general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $38,502. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

16

Northeastern Junior College
Sterling, CO

Northeastern Junior College placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,730, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,287. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #17 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $27,484. Early-career general studies graduates make about $44,861. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

18

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado placed #18 among the best values for general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $23,974. Early-career general studies graduates make about $45,705. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.

19

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. 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 $26,582 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $66,022. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

20

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,540. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

22

Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO

Colorado Christian University placed #22 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,333. Set against $32,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver landed the #23 spot for general studies value this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. General Studies graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.