2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for value in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Boise State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,311. Value graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $49,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,311 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Montana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Narrow Value Schools by State
View All Value Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
