2027 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.
College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2027 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
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,729. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,228. That is a strong return on a $15,729 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. 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 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pikes Peak Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Pikes Peak Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $4,510 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,110. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,779. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Idaho earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Students borrow a median of $8,603 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $28,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Wyoming College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $7,690 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Eastern Wyoming College generally make around $34,058. Set against $7,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Snow College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,521. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Snow College generally make around $21,687. That is a strong return on a $6,521 median debt.
Northwest College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Powell, Northwest College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,962, while out-of-state students pay about $11,262. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $19,235. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Aurora landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Wyoming Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Rock Springs, Western Wyoming Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,530. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $16,175 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $53,554. Set against $16,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,289. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $25,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,289 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Red Rocks Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Red Rocks Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,859, compared with $17,459 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,913 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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 earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Kalispell, Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Flathead Valley Community College earn a median of $30,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sheridan College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Sheridan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheridan. Students from in state pay about $4,830 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,130. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,211. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,308. That is a strong return on a $10,211 median debt.
Eastern Idaho Technical College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, compared with $6,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,038. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Eastern Idaho Technical College generally make around $29,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salt Lake Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,313 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,804. Set against $7,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laramie County Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, 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.
Fort Peck Community College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Fort Peck Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Poplar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $13,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $30,932.
Community College Of Denver earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,058, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,445 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Community College Of Denver earn a median of $29,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,445 median debt.
Weber State University landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. 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.
Lamar Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Lamar Community College is a small public school located in the town of Lamar. 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 liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University came in at #23 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,667 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,036. Set against $10,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Dawson Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Glendive, Dawson Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,010 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,631. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado State University Pueblo landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $38,502. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
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), 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.
