2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for social sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the social sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Utah Valley University tops our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $21,413. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $36,857. Set against $21,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,790 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $32,383. That is a strong return on a $15,790 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Idaho earned it the #3 place for social sciences. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,175. Social Sciences graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $39,099 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
College Of Western Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,497. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Weber State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,401 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $30,139 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,401 median debt.
Colorado State University Pueblo ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $37,389. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $12,886. Social Sciences graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $43,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #9 spot for social sciences value this year. 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. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,022. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $53,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Front Range Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. 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, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $20,354. Social Sciences graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,354 median debt.
Adams State College landed the #11 spot for social sciences value this year. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $29,441. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $22,215 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,777. That is a strong return on a $22,215 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #13 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,051 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $54,576 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Idaho State University earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $30,547 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $35,086. Set against $30,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #15 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,708 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $53,640. Set against $11,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Idaho earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,679 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $29,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #17 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,796 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $49,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value social sciences schools. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,013. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $31,636. Set against $27,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Mesa State College placed #19 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,629 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $37,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #21 position for value in social sciences this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,666 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $42,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western State College Of Colorado placed #22 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $38,595 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Montana placed #23 among the best values for social sciences. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,730 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $32,468. That is a strong return on a $24,730 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College landed the #24 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $26,731. Set against $18,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,170 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $40,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 35 Best Value Social Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for social sciences this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
