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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

27 Ranked Colleges
3,156 Degrees Awarded
$15,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

With 66,787 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, communication and media studies is the 10th most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 3,156 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,142 and $23,352 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent communication and media studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The communications school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. BYU is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 95 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students list, BYU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,474 for rocky mountains region communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. BYU - I is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rexburg, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 236 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students list, BYU - I has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $6,698 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students per year to attend BYU - I.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Brigham Young University - Idaho

3

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Global Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Greenwood Village, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Colorado State University - Global Campus, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State University - Global Campus is $14,954 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Colorado State University - Global Campus

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Utah Valley University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a large school located in Orem, Utah that handed out 203 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UVU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Utah Valley University is $9,955 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UVU Communication & Media Studies Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Weber State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. WSU is a large school located in Ogden, Utah that handed out 139 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $11,647 for rocky mountains region communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at WSU

6
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school handed out 343 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students list, U of U has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,572 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students per year to attend U of U.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Utah

7
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and it awarded 53 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $11,085 for rocky mountains region communications students per year to attend University of Wyoming.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UW

8
Dixie State College crest
Dixie State University
Saint George, Utah

Dixie State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Dixie State College is a fairly large public school situated in Saint George, Utah. It awarded 91 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Dixie State College also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $14,459 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students per year to attend Dixie State University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Dixie State University

9
Westminster College Salt Lake crest
Westminster College Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Westminster College Utah landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Westminster College Salt Lake is a small school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 39 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Westminster College Salt Lake also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $24,503 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students per year to attend Westminster College Salt Lake.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Westminster College Salt Lake

10

Boise State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #10. Boise State University is a large school located in Boise, Idaho that handed out 202 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Boise State also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $16,153 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students per year to attend Boise State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Boise State University Communication & Media Studies Report

11

Utah State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Logan, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students list, USU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,257 for rocky mountains region communications students per year to attend Utah State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Utah State University

12
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Cedar City, Utah is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 107 students in 2020-2021.

Southern Utah University also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Southern Utah University is $13,578 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Southern Utah University

13

Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, this large public school handed out 202 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Colorado State, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $18,679 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students per year to attend Colorado State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Colorado State

14

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is a public institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 164 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCCS also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is $15,648 for rocky mountains region communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UCCS

15

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #15. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is a large public school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 173 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend CU Anschutz is $14,470 for rocky mountains region communications students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CU Anschutz Communication & Media Studies Report

16

University of Northern Colorado did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #16. University of Northern Colorado is a public institution located in Greeley, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 79 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $15,570 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Colorado Communication & Media Studies Report

17
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. University of Idaho is a fairly large school located in Moscow, Idaho that handed out 14 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of I, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,964 for rocky mountains region communications students per year to attend University of Idaho.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Idaho

18
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #18. Missoula, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 45 students in 2020-2021.

UM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UM is $14,755 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students.

Full The University of Montana Communication & Media Studies Report

19
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Western Colorado University is a small school located in Gunnison, Colorado that handed out 15 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western is $16,690 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students.

Full Western Communication & Media Studies Report

20
ISU crest
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #20. ISU is a fairly large public school situated in Pocatello, Idaho. It awarded 45 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ISU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $17,410 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students per year to attend ISU.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at ISU

21

Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #21. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a public institution located in Pueblo, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo is $13,695 for rocky mountains region communications students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Colorado State University - Pueblo

22

With a ranking of #22, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school handed out 193 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CU - Boulder, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CU - Boulder is $20,967 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CU - Boulder

23

With a ranking of #23, Colorado Christian University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Colorado Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lakewood, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students list, CCU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado Christian University is $25,051 for rocky mountains region communications students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Colorado Christian University

24

Northwest Nazarene University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Northwest Nazarene University is a small school located in Nampa, Idaho that handed out 16 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

NNU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend NNU is $21,647 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwest Nazarene University Communication & Media Studies Report

25
Colorado Mesa crest
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, Colorado

With a ranking of #25, Colorado Mesa University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, this medium-sized public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Colorado Mesa University is $16,118 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Colorado Mesa

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