2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,541. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $32,551. Set against $7,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $35,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Wyoming College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,290, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,690. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $34,058 early in their careers. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Morgan Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $70,412. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Students borrow a median of $8,603 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,658. That is a strong return on a $8,603 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #6 for value in liberal arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,729. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $36,228. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt.
Laramie County Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $13,083 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,932.
Eastern Idaho Technical College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,038 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern Idaho Technical College earn a median of $29,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Wyoming Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Students borrow a median of $16,175 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts 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.
Aims Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,152 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $29,845. Set against $9,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Red Rocks Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts 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. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $27,242. That is a strong return on a $11,913 median debt.
Casper College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Casper College earn a median of $23,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Community College Of Denver landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,445 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $29,078 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $17,208 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,015. Set against $17,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pikes Peak Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $26,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,125. Liberal Arts graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $38,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $35,023 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Lamar Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Lamar Community College is a small public school located in the town of Lamar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,550, while out-of-state students pay about $7,260. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,300. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pueblo Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,962 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts 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 #22 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $30,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,995 median debt.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of $56,978 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts. 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, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,959. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $29,916. That is a strong return on a $15,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Lewis Clark State College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $22,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $36,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
