2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools to find the best return on investment for secondary education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
For return on investment in secondary education, no school beat Snow College this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $10,440 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, compared with $10,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $12,628. Secondary Education graduates of Western Wyoming Community College earn a median of $53,554 early in their careers. Set against $12,628 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Laramie County Community College earned it the #3 place for secondary education. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,613 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Students borrow a median of $15,309 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $51,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Wyoming College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,290, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $7,690. Secondary Education graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $34,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $10,626 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Northwest College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,962, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,996 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Northwest College generally make around $40,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sheridan College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,334 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $49,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,334 median debt.
Weber State University earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $18,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $56,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salish Kootenai College earned the #9 position for value in secondary education this year. Salish Kootenai College is a small public school located in the rural area of Pablo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,311, with out-of-state students paying around $11,583. Secondary Education graduates of Salish Kootenai College earn a median of $52,607 early in their careers.
University Of Wyoming placed #10 among the best values for secondary education. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $45,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #11 for value in secondary education this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $43,105. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt.
Utah State University placed #12 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,574 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $56,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Idaho came in at #13 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $48,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University Northern placed #14 among the best values for secondary education. Montana State University Northern is a small public school located in the town of Havre. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,982, while out-of-state students pay about $21,875. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,855. Secondary Education graduates of Montana State University Northern earn a median of $50,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,855 median debt.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #15 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $25,040 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $40,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana Western ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,269. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $36,742. That is a strong return on a $23,269 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana earned the #17 position for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,880 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,880 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $25,906. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $40,614 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Regis University placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,140. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Boise State University landed the #20 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $42,237. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #21 position for value in secondary education 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, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $20,373. Soon after graduation, secondary 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Westminster College Utah came in at #22 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Westminster College Utah is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,090 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $55,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Nazarene University placed #23 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,824. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $40,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $17,921. Secondary Education graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 18%.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
