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2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

26 Ranked Colleges
3,156 Degrees Awarded
$12,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 66,787 degrees were awarded to students with this major. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Brigham Young University - Idaho is a large school located in Rexburg, Idaho that handed out 236 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU - I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $2,073 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at BYU - I

2

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 95 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Provo is $9,445 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at BYU

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Colorado Boulder. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school awarded 193 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder also took the #1 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,141 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CU - Boulder.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at CU - Boulder

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, this large public school handed out 202 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Colorado State also took the #3 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State is $11,924 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Colorado State

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Utah. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Utah is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 343 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

U of U also took the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Utah is $10,431 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full U of U Communication & Media Studies Report

6

Utah Valley University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 203 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Utah Valley University is $7,707 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Utah Valley University

7
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wyoming is a fairly large public school situated in Laramie, Wyoming. It awarded 53 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $6,905 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wyoming.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at UW

8

Boise State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boise State is a large public school situated in Boise, Idaho. It awarded 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. The yearly cost to attend Boise State is $12,561 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Boise State University Communication & Media Studies Report

9

With a ranking of #9, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CU Anschutz is a large school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 173 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CU Anschutz, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CU Anschutz is $10,404 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at CU Anschutz

10

Weber State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ogden, Utah, this large public school handed out 139 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

WSU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Weber State University is $9,748 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

11
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

With a ranking of #11, University of Denver did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 294 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

DU also took the #2 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $20,307 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k 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%.

Full DU Communication & Media Studies Report

12

Utah State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Utah State University is a large school located in Logan, Utah that handed out 59 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

USU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Utah State University is $9,148 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

13
Dixie State College crest
Dixie State University
Saint George, Utah

Dixie State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dixie State College is a public institution located in Saint George, Utah. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Dixie State College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $12,208 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dixie State College.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Dixie State University

14

University of Northern Colorado came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. 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 also took the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,150 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.

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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Northern Colorado

15
Westminster College Salt Lake crest
Westminster College Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Westminster College Utah ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Westminster College Utah is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 39 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Westminster College Salt Lake has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Westminster College Salt Lake is $20,003 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. 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.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Westminster College Utah

16
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

With a ranking of #16, University of Idaho did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Moscow, Idaho, and it awarded 14 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, U of I has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $10,816 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend U of I.

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 U of I

17

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it awarded 164 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UCCS also took the #12 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is $11,543 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UCCS

18
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

With a ranking of #18, Southern Utah University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Utah University is a public institution located in Cedar City, Utah. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 107 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Southern Utah University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $9,873 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southern Utah University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

19
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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 also took the #16 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $12,739 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UM.

Full UM Communication & Media Studies Report

20
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gunnison, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, Western has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,146 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Western

21

Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Colorado State University - Pueblo is located in Pueblo, Colorado and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,243 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo.

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

22
ISU crest
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Pocatello, Idaho, and it awarded 45 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, ISU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $15,185 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ISU.

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

23

Northwest Nazarene University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nampa, Idaho is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k list, NNU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $19,253 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NNU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 NNU

24
Colorado Mesa crest
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, Colorado

Colorado Mesa University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, this medium-sized public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Colorado Mesa is $12,685 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Colorado Mesa Communication & Media Studies Report

25
Regis U crest
Regis University
Denver, Colorado

With a ranking of #25, Regis University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Regis U is a medium-sized school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 23 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Regis U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Regis University is $20,499 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Regis University

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