2026 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for economics in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

2

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.

3

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #3 place for economics. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,642 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $64,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Utah State University
Logan, UT

A rank of #4 makes Utah State University one of the best values for economics. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $15,250. Early-career economics graduates make about $60,472. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #5. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

6

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University placed #6 among the best values for economics. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Economics graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $43,266 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

7

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo came in at #7 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $63,332 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana landed the #9 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,342. Early-career economics graduates make about $42,654. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

10

Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $18,888 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $30,676. That is a strong return on a $18,888 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado came in at #11 for value in economics this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,257 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver came in at #12 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,049 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $56,201 early in their careers. Set against $23,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

13

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. 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, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,675 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $46,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $48,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #15 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Economics graduates carry a median of $17,119 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,521. That is a strong return on a $17,119 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.

16

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University earned the #16 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $47,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.

17

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #17 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $76,298. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.

18

Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College earned the #18 position for value in economics this year. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $58,082. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.

19

University Of Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Denver came in at #19 for value in economics this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $60,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.