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2023 Best Value Colleges for Education in the Rocky Mountains Region

37 Ranked Colleges
22,173 Degrees Awarded
$14,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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” 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” ranking looked at 37 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #1 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 491 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU also made our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $13,474 for rocky mountains region education students per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 Brigham Young University - Provo

2
WGU crest
Western Governors University
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western Governors University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 12,503 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WGU, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WGU is $9,969 for rocky mountains region education students.

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 more about Education at WGU

3

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the #3 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Idaho is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Rexburg, Idaho. It awarded 380 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region education students 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 $6,698 for rocky mountains region education students.

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%.

Read more about Education at BYU - I

4
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wyoming. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. This fairly large school is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and it awarded 345 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UW also made our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for UW is $11,085 for rocky mountains region education students.

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 UW Education Report

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Utah State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Logan, Utah, this large public school handed out 542 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Utah State University is $13,257 for rocky mountains region education students.

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 USU Education Report

6

Colorado State University - Global Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Colorado State University - Global Campus is a fairly large school located in Greenwood Village, Colorado that handed out 136 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado State University - Global Campus also took the #24 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State University - Global Campus is $14,954 for rocky mountains region education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Full Colorado State University - Global Campus Education Report

7

With a ranking of #7, Weber State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. WSU is a large public school situated in Ogden, Utah. It awarded 215 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region education students list, WSU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Weber State University is $11,647 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students.

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 Education Report

8

Utah Valley University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Orem, Utah, this large public school handed out 429 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region education students list, UVU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UVU is $9,955 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students.

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%.

Full Utah Valley University Education Report

9

The University of Montana - Western did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #9. Montana Western is a small school located in Dillon, Montana that handed out 160 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Montana Western also made our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Montana - Western is $12,240 for rocky mountains region education students.

Read more about Education at The University of Montana - Western

10
Regis U crest
Regis University
Denver, Colorado

Regis University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #10. Regis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 293 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Regis U also took the #15 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Regis U is $24,961 for rocky mountains region education students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Regis U

11

Northwest Nazarene University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. NNU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Nampa, Idaho. It awarded 112 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

NNU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $21,647 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students per year to attend Northwest Nazarene University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at Northwest Nazarene University

12
Adams State crest
Adams State University
Alamosa, Colorado

Adams State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Alamosa, Colorado, and it awarded 95 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Adams State University is $13,388 for rocky mountains region education students.

Read full report on Education at Adams State University

13
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 ranking, coming in at #13. Dixie State University 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.

It costs about $14,459 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students per year to attend Dixie State College.

Read full report on Education at Dixie State College

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

Southern Utah University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Southern Utah University is a fairly large school located in Cedar City, Utah that handed out 272 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Southern Utah University also made our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Southern Utah University is $13,578 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Southern Utah University Education Report

15
Westminster College Salt Lake crest
Westminster College Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Westminster College Utah came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Westminster College Salt Lake is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 51 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Westminster College Salt Lake, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $24,503 for rocky mountains region education students per year to attend Westminster College Utah.

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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Education at Westminster College Utah

16
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school awarded 277 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

U of U also made our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of Utah is $13,572 for rocky mountains region education 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Education at University of Utah

17
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. MSU Bozeman is located in Bozeman, Montana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 354 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

MSU Bozeman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $19,453 for rocky mountains region education students per year to attend Montana State University.

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 Montana State University Education Report

18

University of Northern Colorado ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this fairly large public school awarded 732 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Colorado is $15,570 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students.

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

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

Salt Lake Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Salt Lake Community College is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Salt Lake Community College is $6,197 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students.

Read more about Education at Salt Lake Community College

20
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Moscow, Idaho, and it awarded 219 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

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 $13,964 for rocky mountains region education students.

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 University of Idaho

21

Boise State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Boise, Idaho, this large public school awarded 587 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boise State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Boise State is $16,153 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students.

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 full report on Education at Boise State University

22

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this fairly large public school handed out 304 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

UCCS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is $15,648 for rocky mountains region education students.

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%.

Full UCCS Education Report

23

With a ranking of #23, Lewis - Clark State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Lewis - Clark State College is located in Lewiston, Idaho and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 56 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Lewis - Clark State College is $10,775 for rocky mountains region education students.

Read more about Education at Lewis - Clark State College

24
ISU crest
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho

With a ranking of #24, Idaho State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This fairly large school is located in Pocatello, Idaho, and it awarded 158 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ISU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ISU is $17,410 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students.

Read more about Education at Idaho State University

25
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The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Missoula, Montana, this fairly large public school handed out 163 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

UM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UM is $14,755 for rocky mountains region education students.

Read more about Education at The University of Montana

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