2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[Philosophy](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/philosophy/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy students.
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2027 Best Value Philosophy Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy Schools
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among philosophy schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $15,636. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $43,699. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $36,307. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #3. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the best values for philosophy. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy schools. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $27,484. Philosophy 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. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Utah placed #6 among the best values for philosophy. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the philosophy program here. Soon after graduation, philosophy degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earned the #7 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Students borrow a median of $28,495 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $32,480 early in their careers. Set against $28,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #8 spot for philosophy value this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Philosophy graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. Philosophy graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #9 position for value in philosophy this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Typical student debt for philosophy graduates is $18,894. Early-career philosophy graduates make about $27,810. Set against $18,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #10 position for value in philosophy this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $25,218 to complete the philosophy program here. Philosophy graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Set against $25,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.