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2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k

21 Ranked Colleges
2,050 Degrees Awarded
$12,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 49,055 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 2,050 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,347 and $21,716 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the economics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

1
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, Colorado

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Colorado College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Colorado College is a small school located in Colorado Springs, Colorado that handed out 69 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Colorado College has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $8,602 for rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Colorado College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Economics at Colorado College

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Provo, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 174 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, BYU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $10,333 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at BYU

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k. BYU - I is located in Rexburg, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

BYU - I also took the #17 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho is $3,357 for rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at BYU - I

4

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Utah State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Utah State University is a large public school situated in Logan, Utah. It awarded 424 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend USU is $9,821 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Utah State University Economics Report

5
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Utah landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 224 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for U of U is $11,823 for rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at U of U

6

With a ranking of #6, Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Colorado State is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 169 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Colorado State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State is $12,736 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Colorado State University - Fort Collins Economics Report

7
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

With a ranking of #7, University of Wyoming did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wyoming is a fairly large school located in Laramie, Wyoming that handed out 40 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

UW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW is $6,776 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at UW

8

University of Colorado Boulder came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school handed out 343 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for CU - Boulder is $13,901 for rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at CU - Boulder

9
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Mines is a public institution located in Golden, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mines has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $13,690 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Mines.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Mines

10

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Denver, Colorado, this large public school awarded 153 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend CU Anschutz is $12,017 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Economics Report

11
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Moscow, Idaho, this fairly large public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

U of I did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Idaho is $11,148 for rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at U of I

12

University of Northern Colorado ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this fairly large public school awarded 42 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Colorado is $13,774 for rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at University of Northern Colorado

13

Boise State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Boise State is located in Boise, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Boise State also took the #13 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State is $13,582 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Boise State

14

With a ranking of #14, Weber State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ogden, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Weber State University is $10,173 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at WSU

15

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Colorado Springs, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCCS, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $11,395 for rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

16
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Missoula, Montana, this fairly large public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

UM also made our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $13,429 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UM.

Read more about Economics at UM

17
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western Colorado University is a small public school situated in Gunnison, Colorado. It awarded 11 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Western has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western is $13,136 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Economics at Western

18
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

University of Denver ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Denver is a private not-for-profit institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 71 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $21,285 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Denver.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at DU

19

Metropolitan State University of Denver came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Denver also took the #20 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $11,884 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSU Denver.

Full MSU Denver Economics Report

20
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MSU Bozeman is located in Bozeman, Montana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

MSU Bozeman also took the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Montana State University is $16,779 for Rocky Mountains Region Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Montana State University

21
ISU crest
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Pocatello, Idaho, this fairly large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

ISU also took the #21 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $16,214 for rocky mountains region economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ISU.

Full ISU Economics Report

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