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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

7 Colleges in the United States
$19,778 Avg Student Debt
$57,697 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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

Best Value Value Schools

1

For return on investment in value, no school beat Brigham Young University Idaho this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

2

Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

3
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

A rank of #3 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $67,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

4

University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Value graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

5

A rank of #5 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for value. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $55,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $58,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #7 among the best values for value. 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, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $70,497. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

8

University Of Colorado Denver earned the #8 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,582. Early-career value graduates make about $66,943. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

9

The University Of Montana landed the #9 spot for value value this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Value graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,746. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.

10

Boise State University placed #10 among the best values for value. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,311 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $55,582 early in their careers. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

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11

Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #11 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $51,693. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

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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 · 20 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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