2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Colorado
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 30 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 Colorado
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
Our analysis ranked Colorado Mountain College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Colorado. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Students borrow a median of $7,541 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,541 median debt.
Morgan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,252, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $70,412. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,729. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Aims Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,258, 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.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $27,242. That is a strong return on a $11,913 median debt.
Community College Of Denver earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,445 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $26,779. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,125. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $38,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt.
Front Range Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $35,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,550, while out-of-state students pay about $7,260. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,300. Liberal Arts 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.
Pueblo Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,962 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinidad State Junior College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies 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, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,995 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $30,532. Set against $9,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies 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. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $56,978. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Otero Junior College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,270 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $66,338. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Northeastern Junior College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,730, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,287. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adams State College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,879. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $39,546. Set against $24,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #18 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $44,861. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Mesa State College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,485 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $45,705. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $26,582. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,022. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,540. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,373. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $47,333. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt.
University Of Denver landed the #25 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $22,534. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $56,999. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
