2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Individualized Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/individualized-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for individualized studies students.
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Featured Individualized Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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2026 Best Value Individualized Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in individualized studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Individualized Studies Schools
For return on investment in individualized studies, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $7,541 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $32,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Morgan Community College one of the best values for individualized studies. Set in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $70,412. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Aurora is a great value for students pursuing a degree in individualized studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $38,729. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #4 place for individualized studies. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $11,913 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $27,242 early in their careers. Set against $11,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Aims Community College earned it the #5 place for individualized studies. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, while out-of-state students pay about $11,786. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $9,152. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $29,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $14,445. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $29,078. Set against $14,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #7 spot for individualized 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. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $26,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Community College placed #8 among the best values for individualized studies. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,550, with out-of-state students paying around $7,260. Students borrow a median of $9,300 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized 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.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $38,592. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College came in at #10 for value in individualized studies this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $35,023. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Great Falls College Montana State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Great Falls College Montana State University is a small public school located in the city of Great Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $4,028, while out-of-state students pay about $12,911. Median earnings reach $38,034 ten years out.
Pueblo Community College landed the #12 spot for individualized studies value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,962 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $30,640 early in their careers. Set against $14,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinidad State Junior College landed the #13 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $30,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Northwestern Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value individualized studies schools. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. Students from in state pay about $4,594 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $56,978. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Otero Junior College landed the #15 spot for individualized studies value this year. Set in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,270. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Otero Junior College earn a median of $66,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis Clark State College earned the #16 position for value in individualized studies this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, while out-of-state students pay about $22,028. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $22,099 in student loans. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $36,271. That is a strong return on a $22,099 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #17 for value in individualized studies this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Individualized Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,502 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Northeastern Junior College came in at #18 for value in individualized studies this year. Northeastern Junior College is a small public school located in the town of Sterling. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,730, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the individualized studies program here. Individualized Studies graduates of Northeastern Junior College earn a median of $24,287 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Northern came in at #19 for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Havre, Montana State University Northern is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,982, with out-of-state students paying around $21,875. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete the individualized studies program here. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $50,896. That is a strong return on a $23,855 median debt.
Adams State College earned the #20 position for value in individualized studies this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Typical student debt for individualized studies graduates is $24,879. Early-career individualized studies graduates make about $39,546. Set against $24,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College landed the #21 spot for individualized studies value this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Individualized Studies graduates carry a median of $23,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $37,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
The University Of Montana placed #22 among the best values for individualized studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the individualized studies program here. Soon after graduation, individualized studies degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $30,794. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
