2026 Best Value Value Schools in Colorado
[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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Colorado
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 University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs, our #1 best value for value in Colorado. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,559 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $70,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for value. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $66,943. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,843. Value graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $51,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
