2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 81 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Our analysis ranked Colorado Mountain College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the Rocky Mountains Region. 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. Students borrow a median of $7,541 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $32,551. That is a strong return on a $7,541 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Salt Lake Community College, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $7,313 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,804. Set against $7,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Eastern Wyoming College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Eastern Wyoming College is a small public school located in the town of Torrington. Students from in state pay about $4,290 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,690 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern Wyoming College earn a median of $34,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,690 median debt.
Snow College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $6,521 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Snow College earn a median of $21,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,521 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,603. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $28,658. Set against $8,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Morgan, Morgan Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,852. Students borrow a median of $6,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $70,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Aurora came in at #7 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Community College Of Aurora generally make around $38,729. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Miles Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Miles City, Miles Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,220 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,949 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Miles Community College earn a median of $67,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,289 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,104. Set against $9,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,729 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $36,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Northwest College is a small public school located in the town of Powell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, compared with $11,262 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $19,235. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Sheridan College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Sheridan, Sheridan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $11,130. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,211 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Sheridan College earn a median of $38,308 early in their careers. Set against $10,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laramie County Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. Students from in state pay about $4,613 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,913 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Idaho Technical College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $6,750. Students borrow a median of $14,038 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Eastern Idaho Technical College generally make around $29,507. Set against $14,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Greeley, Aims Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,258, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Students borrow a median of $9,152 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Aims Community College generally make around $29,845. That is a strong return on a $9,152 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $13,083. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $30,932.
Fort Peck Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Poplar, Fort Peck Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $14,747.
Western Wyoming Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $10,530. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $16,175. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Western Wyoming Community College generally make around $53,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Red Rocks Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,459. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,913 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Red Rocks Community College earn a median of $27,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Flathead Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,912, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Flathead Valley Community College generally make around $30,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,445. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Community College Of Denver generally make around $29,078. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Casper College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Casper College generally make around $23,784. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Latter Day Saints Business College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Latter Day Saints Business College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $4,004 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Weber State University landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,208 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,510, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $26,779 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
