2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Value](/majors/engineering-technologies/energy-systems/energy-systems-technology-technician/) 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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Colorado Mountain College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,616 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,953. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $48,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Idaho Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Typical student debt for value graduates is $17,066. Value graduates of Eastern Idaho Technical College earn a median of $48,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,066 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Idaho State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $51,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
