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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Colorado

9 Colleges in the United States
$22,522 Avg Student Debt
$53,003 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value General Education Badge [General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general education education at a price that pays off.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.

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2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Colorado

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Education Schools

1
Colorado Mountain College crest
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO

Our analysis ranked Colorado Mountain College the best value for a degree in general education in Colorado. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,694. Set against $12,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for general education. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,936 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $44,479 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,936 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.

3

Colorado State University Pueblo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $48,078. That is a strong return on a $25,325 median debt. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.

4
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO

Mesa State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #4 spot this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $52,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

5

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $49,122 early in their careers. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

6

Western State College Of Colorado ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Students borrow a median of $23,455 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $51,949. Set against $23,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

7
Fort Lewis College crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College placed #7 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $30,676. That is a strong return on a $18,888 median debt. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.

8

University Of Northern Colorado earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,262. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. General Education graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

View All General Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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