2027 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) 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 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
For return on investment in economics, no school beat Brigham Young University Idaho this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,287. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #2 place for economics. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Economics graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for economics. 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. Economics graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $43,266. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Colorado Denver one of the best values for economics. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,049 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $56,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $20,283. Economics graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Utah State University earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Economics graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Economics graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $60,472 early in their careers. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $63,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. 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, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,642 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $64,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #9 for value in economics this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Economics graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $44,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $46,748 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Economics graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #12 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #13 spot for economics value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $48,462. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,675 in student loans. Economics graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $46,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,675 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Montana State University earned the #15 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,098 early in their careers. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #16 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Students borrow a median of $17,119 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $51,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado School Of Mines earned the #17 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
Colorado College earned the #18 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $58,082 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 18%.
University Of Denver ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,534 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $60,796. Set against $22,534 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
