2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cybersecurity-defense/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Boise State University, our #1 best value for value in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Value graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $49,059. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #2 makes Montana State University one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Value graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $47,703. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
