2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Pikes Peak Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $26,779. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $15,729 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $36,228. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt.
Colorado Mountain College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,541 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $32,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Eastern Wyoming College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Torrington, Eastern Wyoming College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,290, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $34,058. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Idaho earned it the #5 place for liberal arts. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,603 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,658. That is a strong return on a $8,603 median debt.
Western Wyoming Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Rock Springs. 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 liberal arts graduates is $16,175. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $53,554. That is a strong return on a $16,175 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $4,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,729. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Laramie County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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 liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $51,302. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Idaho Technical College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Idaho Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, compared with $6,750 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,038 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Eastern Idaho Technical College earn a median of $29,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,038 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,913 in student loans. Liberal Arts 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.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $13,083 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,932.
Morgan Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Morgan Community College generally make around $70,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,313. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,445 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $29,078 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,208 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $37,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,208 median debt.
Lamar Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,550, with out-of-state students paying around $7,260. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,300. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lamar Community College generally make around $25,669. That is a strong return on a $9,300 median debt.
Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #17 for value in liberal arts this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,750. Liberal Arts graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,502 early in their careers. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Casper College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,410, with out-of-state students paying around $10,710. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $23,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aims Community College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,152. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $29,845. That is a strong return on a $9,152 median debt.
Trinidad State Junior College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. In-state tuition and fees average $4,608, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Students borrow a median of $9,995 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,532. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arapahoe Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,434, compared with $17,034 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,125. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,592. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt.
Colorado Northwestern Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Rangely, Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,594 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $56,978. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Otero Junior College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $7,270. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $66,338. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Pueblo Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,049 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,962 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Pueblo Community College generally make around $30,640. That is a strong return on a $14,962 median debt.
Front Range Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,023. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
