2027 Best Value Geography Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geography schools.
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2027 Best Value Geography Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography Schools
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in geography 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Western Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $40,963.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $10,855. Geography graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Geography graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Colorado Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $22,468 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $39,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Front Range Community College earned the #6 position for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Students borrow a median of $20,354 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $40,414. That is a strong return on a $20,354 median debt.
University Of Wyoming placed #7 among the best values for geography. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $49,890 early in their careers. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Idaho earned the #8 position for value in geography this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $43,246. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #9 position for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $10,360 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $40,051. That is a strong return on a $10,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #10 spot for geography value this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $36,426. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana landed the #11 spot for geography value this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,342 in student loans. Geography 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 acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #12 for value in geography this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $23,974. Early-career geography graduates make about $36,996. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Denver earned the #13 position for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,398. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,534. Early-career geography graduates make about $58,717. 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 ranking is produced 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
