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2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

36 Ranked Colleges
22,173 Degrees Awarded
$10,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 327,871 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 22,173 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,204 and $21,571 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 36 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent education 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 education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $30-$48k) 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 Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Rexburg, Idaho, and it awarded 380 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k list, BYU - I has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BYU - I is $3,357 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full Brigham Young University - Idaho Education Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Brigham Young University - Provo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Provo, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 491 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k list, BYU has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $10,333 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend BYU.

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

Full BYU Education Report

3
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Governors University landed the #3 spot on the list. WGU is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 12,503 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

WGU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Governors University is $8,387 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Education at Western Governors University

4
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 345 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW also took the #4 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $6,776 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k 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 full report on Education at UW

5

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Utah Valley University landed the #5 spot on the list. Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 429 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

UVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $9,992 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UVU.

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 Education at Utah Valley University

6

With a ranking of #6, Utah State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Utah State University is located in Logan, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 542 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

USU also took the #3 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $9,821 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Utah State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Utah State University Education Report

7

Colorado State University - Fort Collins came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Colorado State is a large school located in Fort Collins, Colorado that handed out 202 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins is $12,736 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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 more about Education at Colorado State University - Fort Collins

8
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, Utah

With a ranking of #8, Salt Lake Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school handed out 68 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Salt Lake Community College is $5,780 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Education at Salt Lake Community College

9

Weber State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Ogden, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 215 students in 2020-2021.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Weber State University is $10,173 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at WSU

10
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. U of I is located in Moscow, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 219 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of I, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U of I is $11,148 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Education at U of I

11
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. U of U is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 277 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of U, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend U of U is $11,823 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read full report on Education at U of U

12

With a ranking of #12, The University of Montana - Western did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Dillon, Montana, this small public school handed out 160 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Montana Western also took the #20 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $10,947 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Montana Western.

Full Montana Western Education Report

13

Boise State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boise State University is located in Boise, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 587 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Boise State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,582 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Boise State University.

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%.

Read more about Education at Boise State University

14
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Utah University is a fairly large public school situated in Cedar City, Utah. It awarded 272 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southern Utah University, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Utah University is $10,697 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read more about Education at Southern Utah University

15

University of Northern Colorado did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Northern Colorado is a public institution located in Greeley, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 732 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Northern Colorado, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Colorado is $13,774 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full University of Northern Colorado Education Report

16

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school handed out 146 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder also made our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for CU - Boulder is $13,901 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 2.4% 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 more about Education at CU - Boulder

17
Dixie State College crest
Dixie State University
Saint George, Utah

Dixie State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Dixie State College is a public institution located in Saint George, Utah. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Dixie State University is $13,087 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Dixie State University Education Report

18

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 357 students in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for CU Anschutz is $12,017 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Education at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

19

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCCS is a public institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 304 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCCS, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is $11,395 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Education at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

20

Lewis - Clark State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Lewis - Clark State College is a small school located in Lewiston, Idaho that handed out 56 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lewis - Clark State College is $9,194 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Education at Lewis - Clark State College

21
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Montana is a fairly large school located in Missoula, Montana that handed out 163 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Montana is $13,429 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Education at UM

22
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Bozeman, Montana, this fairly large public school awarded 354 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

MSU Bozeman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Montana State University is $16,779 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full MSU Bozeman Education Report

23

Montana State University - Billings did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. This small school is located in Billings, Montana, and it awarded 112 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,257 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Montana State University - Billings.

Read more about Education at Montana State University - Billings

24

Metropolitan State University of Denver landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MSU Denver is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 220 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend MSU Denver is $11,884 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Metropolitan State University of Denver Education Report

25
Adams State crest
Adams State University
Alamosa, Colorado

Adams State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Adams State University is located in Alamosa, Colorado and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $10,301 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Adams State University.

Read full report on Education at Adams State University

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