2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Colorado
[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 26 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 Colorado
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
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Colorado Mountain College this year. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,616, compared with $12,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,541. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $32,551. That is a strong return on a $7,541 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Pikes Peak Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $4,510, compared with $17,110 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $26,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Aurora earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Aurora, Community College Of Aurora is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,250. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,729 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Red Rocks Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,913. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,242. Set against $11,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $70,412. Set against $6,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Denver placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,058, while out-of-state students pay about $17,658. Students borrow a median of $14,445 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,078. Set against $14,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,550, while out-of-state students pay about $7,260. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,300. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Lamar Community College generally make around $25,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $38,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,750 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Aims Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,152. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 #10 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Trinidad. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,608, compared with $7,318 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,995. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Trinidad State Junior College earn a median of $30,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,995 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $66,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Arapahoe Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,125. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,592. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt.
Otero Junior College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the town of La Junta, Otero Junior College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,270. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,750. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $66,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. Students from in state pay about $4,594 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,304. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Colorado Northwestern Community College generally make around $56,978. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Pueblo Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,962. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $30,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adams State College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Students borrow a median of $24,879 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $39,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $35,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeastern Junior College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Sterling, Northeastern Junior College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,267 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northeastern Junior College earn a median of $24,287 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mesa State College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,485 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,298. That is a strong return on a $23,485 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Western State College Of Colorado came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $36,712. Set against $23,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,974. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,705 early in their careers. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $34,540 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. That is a strong return on a $20,373 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $32,500. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $47,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
