2027 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 65 schools to find the best return on investment for education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Our analysis ranked College Of Southern Idaho the best value for a degree in education in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Education graduates carry a median of $8,006 in student loans. Education graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $39,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,006 median debt.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for education graduates is $17,890. Education graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $49,388 early in their careers. Set against $17,890 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Snow College, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,440. Early-career education graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Colorado Mountain College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,953 in student loans. Education graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
Laramie County Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,309. Education graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,066. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $41,037. That is a strong return on a $16,066 median debt.
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,628. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Western Wyoming Community College generally make around $53,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $10,626 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
Eastern Wyoming College placed #9 among the best values for education. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. In-state tuition and fees average $4,290, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Education graduates carry a median of $13,878 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $42,011. Set against $13,878 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #11 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,365. Early-career education graduates make about $38,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest College came in at #12 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Students borrow a median of $12,996 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Northwest College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. Set against $12,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Red Rocks Community College landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,471. Early-career education graduates make about $76,340. Set against $14,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Students borrow a median of $11,334 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Sheridan College generally make around $49,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salish Kootenai College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Pablo, Salish Kootenai College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,311, with out-of-state students paying around $11,583. Early-career education graduates make about $52,607.
Casper College earned the #16 position for value in education this year. Casper College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Casper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,408. Education graduates of Casper College earn a median of $49,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,408 median debt.
Community College Of Denver earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Education graduates carry a median of $14,375 in student loans. Education graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $18,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,375 median debt.
Weber State University came in at #18 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,799 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $52,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,799 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College placed #19 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,649. Early-career education graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $13,649 median debt.
Southern Utah University came in at #20 for value in education this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $16,151. Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $45,393 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Morgan Community College earned the #21 position for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,252, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Students borrow a median of $11,746 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $70,412. Set against $11,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,199. Education graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $45,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #23 spot for education value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,325. Education graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $48,078 early in their careers. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #24 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,434, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Education graduates carry a median of $20,448 in student loans. Education graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $47,579 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinidad State Junior College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,502. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Trinidad State Junior College generally make around $53,086. Set against $10,502 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
Narrow Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
