2027 Best Value Education Schools in Colorado
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,953. Education graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $48,694 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Community College Of Aurora, which ranked #2. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,365 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $38,587. That is a strong return on a $15,365 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot 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. Education graduates carry a median of $16,066 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $41,037. Set against $16,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Red Rocks Community College earned it the #4 place for education. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Education graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $76,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Community College Of Denver one of the best values for education. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Students borrow a median of $14,375 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $18,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Morgan Community College placed #6 among the best values for education. Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Students from in state pay about $4,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Education graduates carry a median of $11,746 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $70,412. Set against $11,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,199. Early-career education graduates make about $45,909. That is a strong return on a $11,199 median debt.
Trinidad State Junior College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,502. Education graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $53,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #9 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Education graduates carry a median of $25,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $48,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Arapahoe Community College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Arapahoe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Students borrow a median of $20,448 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College generally make around $47,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #11 position for value in education this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Education graduates carry a median of $27,936 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $65,121. That is a strong return on a $27,936 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Pueblo Community College placed #12 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,750. Education graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $26,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Set in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,594 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Students borrow a median of $18,127 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $56,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adams State College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,523. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $54,801. Set against $25,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Education graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $29,749 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College came in at #16 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $52,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Northeastern Junior College placed #17 among the best values for education. Northeastern Junior College is a small public school located in the town of Sterling. Students from in state pay about $5,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. Students borrow a median of $13,156 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Northeastern Junior College earn a median of $38,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,156 median debt.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Education graduates carry a median of $26,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $41,527. That is a strong return on a $26,640 median debt. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #19 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Education graduates carry a median of $25,040 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,164. That is a strong return on a $25,040 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Western State College Of Colorado came in at #20 for value in education this year. 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, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,949. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Colorado State University Global Campus landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Denver, Colorado State University Global Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,000. Education graduates carry a median of $16,955 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $62,868. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Fort Lewis College came in at #22 for value in education this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,888 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $30,676. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #23 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $23,970. Early-career education graduates make about $49,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Regis University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,773. Early-career education graduates make about $59,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regis University admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $82,133. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
