2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Colorado
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Colorado
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, no school beat Colorado Mountain College 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, 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Colorado Mountain College earn a median of $32,551 early in their careers. Set against $7,541 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Pikes Peak Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,110. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Pikes Peak Community College earn a median of $26,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Community College Of Aurora one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Community College Of Aurora is a large public school located in the city of Aurora. In-state tuition and fees average $4,470, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Community College Of Aurora earn a median of $38,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,250 median debt.
Red Rocks Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $27,242. Set against $11,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Morgan Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Morgan Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fort Morgan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,252, while out-of-state students pay about $16,852. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Morgan Community College earn a median of $70,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,250 median debt.
Community College Of Denver ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Community College Of Denver is a large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $5,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,445 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $29,078. That is a strong return on a $14,445 median debt.
Lamar Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Lamar, Lamar Community College is a small public university. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lamar Community College generally make around $25,669. Set against $9,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado State University Pueblo ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $25,750. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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%.
Aims Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,258, compared with $11,786 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,152 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Aims Community College earn a median of $29,845 early in their careers. Set against $9,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinidad State Junior College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Trinidad, Trinidad State Junior College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,318. Students borrow a median of $9,995 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,532. 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 / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $26,582. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,288 early in their careers. Set against $26,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Arapahoe Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Littleton, Arapahoe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,034. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Arapahoe Community College earn a median of $38,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Otero Junior College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Otero Junior College is a small public school located in the town of La Junta. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,270 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Otero Junior College generally make around $66,338. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Rangely. In-state tuition and fees average $4,594, while out-of-state students pay about $7,304. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,049, with out-of-state students paying around $17,649. Students borrow a median of $14,962 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Students borrow a median of $24,879 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,023. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.
Northeastern Junior College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,267. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,287. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Mesa State College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,485 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,298. That is a strong return on a $23,485 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #20 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Students borrow a median of $27,484 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. Set against $27,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,455 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $36,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Students borrow a median of $23,974 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $45,705. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $34,540. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Lakewood, Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,846. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $47,333. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
