2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong humanities education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Humanities Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Humanities Schools
Salt Lake Community College earned the #1 spot for value among humanities schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $7,313. Humanities graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $35,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,313 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,289 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $25,104. Set against $9,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $15,729. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $36,228. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Idaho College earned it the #4 place for humanities. Set in the city of Coeur d'Alene, North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,114 in student loans. Humanities graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $49,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in humanities will find it at Adams State College, which ranked #5. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,824, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,879 in student loans. Humanities graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $48,101 early in their careers. Set against $24,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for humanities. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the humanities program here. Early-career humanities graduates make about $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
The University Of Montana came in at #7 for value in humanities this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $18,500. Humanities graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #8 for value in humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $66,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Boise State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities 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. Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,894 in student loans. Early-career humanities graduates make about $49,059. That is a strong return on a $15,894 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #10 position for value in humanities this year. 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. Typical student debt for humanities graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, humanities degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Denver ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value humanities schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the humanities program here. Humanities graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
