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2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

21 Ranked Colleges
2,050 Degrees Awarded
$16,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Economics is the 19th most popular major in the country with 49,055 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 2,050 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,347 and $21,716 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent economics 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 economics 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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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for rocky mountains region economics students.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Economics 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 Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Provo, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 174 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

BYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $13,474 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students per year to attend BYU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. 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%.

Full BYU Economics Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Utah State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. USU is a large school located in Logan, Utah that handed out 424 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

USU also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend USU is $13,257 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students.

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 more about Economics at Utah State University

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

BYU - I also took the #17 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BYU - I is $6,698 for rocky mountains region economics students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Brigham Young University - Idaho

4
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Wyoming is a public institution located in Laramie, Wyoming. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW is $11,085 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%.

Full UW Economics Report

5
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 224 students in 2020-2021.

U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U of U is $13,572 for rocky mountains region economics students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Utah Economics Report

6

With a ranking of #6, Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 169 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Colorado State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State is $18,679 for rocky mountains region economics students.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Colorado State University - Fort Collins

7

Weber State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. WSU is a public institution located in Ogden, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region economics students list, WSU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $11,647 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%.

Full WSU Economics Report

8
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #8. Western is located in Gunnison, Colorado and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region economics students list, Western has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Western Colorado University is $16,690 for rocky mountains region economics students.

Read more about Economics at Western

9

University of Northern Colorado ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. University of Northern Colorado is a public institution located in Greeley, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $15,570 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at University of Northern Colorado

10

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 153 students in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for CU Anschutz is $14,470 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Economics Report

11
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. University of Idaho is a fairly large public school situated in Moscow, Idaho. It awarded 8 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

U of I also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend U of I is $13,964 for rocky mountains region economics students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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%.

Full U of I Economics Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. UCCS is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

UCCS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCCS is $15,648 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics 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%.

Full UCCS Economics Report

13
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Bozeman, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Bozeman, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Montana State University is $19,453 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Montana State University

14

Boise State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This large school is located in Boise, Idaho, and it awarded 18 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boise State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $16,153 for rocky mountains region economics students per year to attend Boise State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Boise State University Economics Report

15
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Golden, Colorado, and it awarded 41 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mines, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $27,114 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students per year to attend Mines.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Economics at Mines

16
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Missoula, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

UM also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend The University of Montana is $14,755 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students.

Read full report on Economics at The University of Montana

17

University of Colorado Boulder came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. CU - Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 343 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

CU - Boulder not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for CU - Boulder is $20,967 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students.

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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at CU - Boulder

18
ISU crest
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #18. ISU is a fairly large school located in Pocatello, Idaho that handed out 12 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

ISU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ISU is $17,410 for rocky mountains region economics students.

Read full report on Economics at ISU

19

With a ranking of #19, Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Denver also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $14,313 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students per year to attend Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Read more about Economics at Metropolitan State University of Denver

20
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. DU is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

DU also took the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $33,830 for rocky mountains region economics students per year to attend University of Denver.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Economics at DU

21
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, Colorado

Colorado College landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Colorado College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It awarded 69 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado College is $24,703 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Colorado College

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