2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Colorado Mountain College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,541 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Pikes Peak Community College generally make around $26,779. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Idaho earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Students borrow a median of $8,603 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $28,658. Set against $8,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Wyoming College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,290, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
Snow College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Students borrow a median of $6,521 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Snow College earn a median of $21,687 early in their careers. Set against $6,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,962 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,262. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $19,235. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Community College Of Aurora earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.
Western Wyoming Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Students borrow a median of $16,175 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Western Wyoming Community College earn a median of $53,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,289. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $25,104. That is a strong return on a $9,289 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,913. Liberal Arts 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.
Flathead Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,659 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $30,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sheridan College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,211 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Idaho Technical College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Idaho Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,038. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Eastern Idaho Technical College earn a median of $29,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,313. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,804. That is a strong return on a $7,313 median debt.
Laramie County Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,309. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $51,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Peck Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Fort Peck Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Poplar. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250. Graduates go on to earn a median of $14,747 ten years after entry.
Morgan Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,252, compared with $16,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $70,412. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $13,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $30,932.
Community College Of Denver came in at #20 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,445 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,078. Set against $14,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $17,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $37,015. Set against $17,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,550, while out-of-state students pay about $7,260. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,300 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lamar Community College earn a median of $25,669 early in their careers. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,667. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $30,036. Set against $10,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Dawson Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Dawson Community College is a small public school located in the town of Glendive. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,010, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 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.
