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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Colorado

12 Colleges in the United States
$23,846 Avg Student Debt
$59,825 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Social Sciences Badge [Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for social sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Colorado

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Social Sciences Schools

1

Front Range Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Colorado. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,354 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Colorado State University Pueblo, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $37,389. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes Adams State College one of the best values for social sciences. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,441 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $46,948 early in their careers. Set against $29,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,013 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $32,310. Set against $27,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

5
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa State College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. 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 social sciences graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.

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6

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,629 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,424. That is a strong return on a $21,629 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

7
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College came in at #7 for value in social sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $18,091 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $26,883 early in their careers. Set against $18,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

8

University Of Northern Colorado earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $23,170 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,569. That is a strong return on a $23,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

University Of Colorado Denver earned the #9 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,022. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $53,327 early in their careers. Set against $27,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

10

Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. 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, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,298 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,831. That is a strong return on a $23,298 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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11

University Of Colorado Boulder placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,894 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $44,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

12
Regis University crest
Regis University
Denver, CO

Regis University placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $39,337 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $48,522. Set against $39,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13

Colorado School Of Mines landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,521. Social Sciences graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.

14
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $58,082. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.

15

University Of Denver ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,357 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $51,501 early in their careers. Set against $21,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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