2027 Best Value English Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
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2027 Best Value English Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value English Schools
For return on investment in english, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,728 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for english. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. English graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $28,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #3 place for english. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $12,497. Early-career english graduates make about $40,963.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #4 place for english. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $12,399. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $34,224. Set against $12,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for english. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Typical student debt for english graduates is $10,855. Early-career english graduates make about $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $28,818 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #7 among the best values for english. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,586. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $35,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Wyoming placed #8 among the best values for english. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,415 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $33,677. That is a strong return on a $20,415 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Idaho State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $31,441. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah State University placed #10 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $32,199. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho came in at #11 for value in english this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #12 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. English graduates carry a median of $11,248 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $29,305. Set against $11,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Mesa State College came in at #13 for value in english this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,412. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $33,622. Set against $22,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #14 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $35,487. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #15 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $34,627 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah earned the #16 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,000. Early-career english graduates make about $38,644. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah came in at #17 for value in english this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $16,530. Early-career english graduates make about $42,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Lewis College landed the #18 spot for english value this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $16,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $25,718. That is a strong return on a $16,250 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #19 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,557 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $30,689 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,557 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Montana landed the #20 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,000. Early-career english graduates make about $21,447. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Regis University earned the #21 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,140. Typical student debt for english graduates is $31,773. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #22 spot for english value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for english graduates is $20,500. English graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $27,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Montana State University placed #23 among the best values for english. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,472 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $33,483. Set against $20,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,522. Early-career english graduates make about $31,825. Set against $19,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $25,678 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $30,246. Set against $25,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
