College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)

26 Ranked Colleges
3,156 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 26 colleges that offered a degree in communication and media studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great communication and media studies programs and cost less that 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Communications Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)

1
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 #1 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. U of U is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 343 ’s 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 U of U is $13,572 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at U of U

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Utah Valley University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. UVU is a large school located in Orem, Utah that handed out 203 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UVU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UVU is $9,955 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid.

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

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. BYU is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

BYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $13,474 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid per year to attend BYU.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Full BYU Communication & Media Studies Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid. 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.

BYU - I not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $6,698 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid per year to attend BYU - I.

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

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Fort Collins, Colorado, and it awarded 202 ’s communications degrees 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 with aid per year to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins.

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.

Full Colorado State Communication & Media Studies Report

6

Boise State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Boise, Idaho, this large public school awarded 202 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Boise State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State is $16,153 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at Boise State University

7

Weber State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Weber State University 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 estimated yearly cost for Weber State University is $11,647 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid.

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 Communication & Media Studies Report

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. CU - Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 193 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

CU - Boulder not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $20,967 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid per year to attend University of Colorado Boulder.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full CU - Boulder Communication & Media Studies Report

9
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW is located in Laramie, Wyoming and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

UW also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $11,085 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid per year to attend UW.

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 University of Wyoming Communication & Media Studies Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. CU Anschutz is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 173 ’s 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. It costs about $14,470 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid per year to attend CU Anschutz.

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 University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Communication & Media Studies Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Utah State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. USU is a large public school situated in Logan, Utah. It awarded 59 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students with aid list, USU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Utah State University is $13,257 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 USU

12
Dixie State College crest
Dixie State University
Saint George, Utah

Dixie State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Dixie State University 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dixie State College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dixie State University is $14,459 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Dixie State College

13
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Montana is a fairly large school located in Missoula, Montana that handed out 45 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $14,755 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid per year to attend The University of Montana.

Full The University of Montana Communication & Media Studies Report

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 Getting Aid ranking. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large public school situated in Greeley, Colorado. It awarded 79 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Northern Colorado, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $15,570 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid 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%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Northern Colorado

15

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this fairly large public school awarded 164 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

UCCS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCCS is $15,648 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid.

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 more about Communication & Media Studies at UCCS

16
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southern Utah University is a fairly large school located in Cedar City, Utah that handed out 107 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

Southern Utah University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $13,578 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Southern Utah University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Southern Utah University 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 For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Moscow, Idaho, and it awarded 14 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

U of I not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Idaho is $13,964 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid.

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 Communication & Media Studies Report

18
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 For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Idaho State University is located in Pocatello, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

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. The yearly cost to attend Idaho State University is $17,410 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid.

Full ISU Communication & Media Studies Report

19
Westminster College Salt Lake crest
Westminster College Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Westminster College Utah came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s communications degrees to 39 students 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. The yearly cost to attend Westminster College Utah is $24,503 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Full Westminster College Salt Lake Communication & Media Studies Report

20

Northwest Nazarene University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Nampa, Idaho, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

NNU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend NNU is $21,647 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at NNU

21
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Gunnison, Colorado, this small public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

Western also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $16,690 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid per year to attend Western.

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

22

Colorado State University - Pueblo landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a medium-sized school located in Pueblo, Colorado that handed out 30 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo is $13,695 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid.

Full Colorado State University - Pueblo Communication & Media Studies Report

23
Colorado Mesa crest
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, Colorado

Colorado Mesa University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Colorado Mesa University is a medium-sized school located in Grand Junction, Colorado that handed out 22 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Colorado Mesa University is $16,118 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students with aid.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Colorado Mesa

24
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

With a ranking of #24, University of Denver did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Denver, Colorado, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 294 degrees to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

DU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $33,830 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid 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 Communication & Media Studies at University of Denver

25

Colorado Christian University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Colorado Christian University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Lakewood, Colorado. It awarded 24 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

CCU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $25,051 for rocky mountains region communications students with aid per year to attend Colorado Christian University.

Full CCU Communication & Media Studies Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options