2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Colorado
[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.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Colorado Mountain College the best value for a degree in general studies in Colorado. Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Glenwood Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,616, with out-of-state students paying around $12,840. Students borrow a median of $7,541 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College generally make around $32,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Pikes Peak Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,779. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. 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, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,729. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Red Rocks Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,913. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $27,242. Set against $11,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Morgan Community College, which ranked #5. Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Students from in state pay about $4,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Community College Of Denver ranked #6 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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Community College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,550, compared with $7,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,300 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of $25,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,300 median debt.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $38,502. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Aims Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, with out-of-state students paying around $7,318. Students borrow a median of $9,995 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $30,532 early in their careers. Set against $9,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,582. Early-career general studies graduates make about $66,288. That is a strong return on a $26,582 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Arapahoe Community College placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Arapahoe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Littleton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, while out-of-state students pay about $17,034. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $38,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt.
Otero Junior College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Otero Junior College is a small public school located in the town of La Junta. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $66,338. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Colorado Northwestern Community College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,594, while out-of-state students pay about $7,304. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $56,978. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pueblo Community College placed #15 among the best values for general studies. Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Pueblo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,962 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $30,640 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,962 median debt.
Adams State College placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Students borrow a median of $24,879 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $48,101 early in their careers. Set against $24,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Front Range Community College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $35,023. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Northeastern Junior College came in at #18 for value in general studies this year. Northeastern Junior College is a small public school located in the town of Sterling. In-state tuition and fees average $5,730, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,287. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #19 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $44,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western State College Of Colorado landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $36,712 early in their careers. Set against $23,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #21 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $45,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,540. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado Christian University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. General Studies graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $47,333 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Denver ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
More General Studies Rankings
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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 · 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.
