2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $36,228. Set against $15,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado Mountain College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,541. General Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,541 median debt.
Pikes Peak Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,779. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,521 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,687. Set against $6,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,000. General Studies graduates of Northwest College earn a median of $19,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,470, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,913 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $27,242 early in their careers. Set against $11,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan College placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,211. General Studies graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $38,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Wyoming Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. General Studies graduates carry a median of $16,175 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $53,554. That is a strong return on a $16,175 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,289 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $25,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Morgan Community College landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Morgan Community College earn a median of $70,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,313 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $35,804. Set against $7,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Flathead Valley Community College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,912, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Flathead Valley Community College earn a median of $30,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Laramie County Community College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,309. Early-career general studies graduates make about $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Students borrow a median of $14,445 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,078. That is a strong return on a $14,445 median debt.
Fort Peck Community College earned the #16 position for value in general studies this year. Fort Peck Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Poplar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $14,747 ten years after entry.
Weber State University earned the #17 position for value in general studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $17,208 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $37,015 early in their careers. Set against $17,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar Community College came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,260. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Lamar Community College generally make around $25,669. That is a strong return on a $9,300 median debt.
Southern Utah University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,667 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $30,036 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,667 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Dawson Community College landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Glendive, Dawson Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,010, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,631. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $38,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Casper College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, while out-of-state students pay about $10,710. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. General Studies graduates of Casper College earn a median of $23,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Latter Day Saints Business College earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Aims Community College landed the #24 spot for general studies value this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,152 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $29,845. That is a strong return on a $9,152 median debt.
North Idaho College placed #25 among the best values for general studies. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,396, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,114 in student loans. General Studies graduates of North Idaho College earn a median of $27,940 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:
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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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
