2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Colorado
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 30 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is Colorado Mountain College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Colorado. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,541. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. Set against $7,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Morgan Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $70,412. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Community College Of Aurora one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Aims Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,152 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $29,845 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Red Rocks Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,859 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,913. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,445 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $29,078. That is a strong return on a $14,445 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Arapahoe Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,592. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,300. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lamar Community College generally make around $25,669. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $30,640. That is a strong return on a $14,962 median debt.
Trinidad State Junior College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,995 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $30,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Northwestern Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,594, compared with $7,304 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $56,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $38,502. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Otero Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $7,270. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $66,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Junior College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Northeastern Junior College is a small public school located in the town of Sterling. In-state tuition and fees average $5,730, while out-of-state students pay about $8,267. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northeastern Junior College generally make around $24,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adams State College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Students borrow a median of $24,879 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $39,546 early in their careers. Set against $24,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,484. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $44,861. That is a strong return on a $27,484 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $23,485. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $37,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $45,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,022 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $34,540. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado Christian University placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,846. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $47,333 early in their careers. Set against $32,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Denver landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 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.
