2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 81 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Colorado Mountain College, our #1 best value for liberal arts general studies in the Rocky Mountains Region. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,541 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general 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 Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,313. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $35,804. Set against $7,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Wyoming College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,290, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,690. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
Snow College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,521 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Snow College earn a median of $21,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Southern Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,603 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $28,658. That is a strong return on a $8,603 median debt.
Morgan Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Morgan Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,252, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $70,412. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miles Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,500, compared with $11,220 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,949 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $67,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,289. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $25,104 early in their careers. Set against $9,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University came in at #10 for value in liberal arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $36,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,962, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $19,235. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Students borrow a median of $10,211 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $38,308 early in their careers. Set against $10,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laramie County Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Idaho Technical College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,038 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Aims Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,152. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,845. Set against $9,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $13,083 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,932.
Fort Peck Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Fort Peck Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Poplar. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250. Median earnings reach $14,747 ten years out.
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $10,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $16,175. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $53,554. That is a strong return on a $16,175 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,913. Liberal Arts General 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.
Flathead Valley Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. In-state tuition and fees average $4,912, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,079. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,445 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,078. Set against $14,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Casper College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Latter Day Saints Business College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Median earnings reach $50,630 ten years out.
Weber State University earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,208. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $37,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:
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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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
