by our College Data Analytics TeamColorado School Of Mines ranks #1 of 79 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 60% six-year graduation rate and $70,739 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in the Rocky Mountains Region, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **79** schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 79 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Colorado School Of Mines leads the 79 ranked colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region, followed by University Of Denver (#2) and University Of Colorado Boulder (#3). Explore the leading colleges below:
Our analysis found Colorado School Of Mines to be the best college in the Rocky Mountains Region. Based in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $24,521.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Denver one of the top colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region. University Of Denver is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. University Of Denver graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,398. University Of Denver graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,999. Typical student debt is $22,534.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Colorado Boulder one of the top colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school based in Boulder, CO. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,861. The median student debt is $20,373.
Out of the 79 colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region in this year's ranking, University Of Utah landed the #4 spot. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Median early-career earnings reach $60,527. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #5 this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. About 66% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,693. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete a degree here.
Colorado College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Colorado Springs, CO, Colorado College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Colorado College graduates report median early-career earnings of $37,342. The median student debt is $17,921.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete a degree here.
Western Governors University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit institution. Western Governors University graduates 46% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Early-career graduates earn a median of $74,771. Typical student debt is $23,277.
Neumont University landed the #9 spot in the Rocky Mountains Region this year. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, Neumont University is a private for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,360.
University Of Wyoming came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Located in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,890. University Of Wyoming students take on a median of $20,283 in debt.
Utah State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,348. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete a degree here.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Located in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. University Of Colorado Denver graduates 46% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $66,288. University Of Colorado Denver students take on a median of $26,582 in debt.
Denver School Of Nursing placed #13 among the best colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region. This private for-profit school is set in Denver, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $19,458. Early-career graduates earn a median of $80,304. Denver School Of Nursing students take on a median of $32,832 in debt.
Nightingale College landed the #14 spot in the Rocky Mountains Region this year. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, Nightingale College is a private for-profit institution. About 26% of students finish within six years. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $73,271. Nightingale College students take on a median of $27,875 in debt.
Regis University placed #15 among the best colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region. Regis University is a private not-for-profit school based in Denver, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. In-state tuition and fees run about $28,140. Median early-career earnings reach $72,028. Graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans.
Boise State University did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. Boise State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Early-career graduates earn a median of $49,059. Graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans.
Montana State University landed the #17 spot in the Rocky Mountains Region this year. Located in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $47,703. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete a degree here.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Greeley, CO, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,705. The median student debt is $23,974.
Westminster College Utah placed #19 among the best colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, Westminster College Utah is a private not-for-profit institution. Westminster College Utah graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $43,528. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,433. Students borrow a median of $23,090 to complete a degree here.
Weber State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Ogden, UT, Weber State University is a public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,920. Typical student debt is $19,176.
Carroll College landed the #21 spot in the Rocky Mountains Region this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Helena, MT. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $41,484. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,797 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $24,912 in student loans.
Utah Valley University placed #22 among the best colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in Orem, UT, Utah Valley University is a public institution. Utah Valley University posts a six-year graduation rate of 40%. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,242. Utah Valley University students take on a median of $16,478 in debt.
Colorado State University Global Campus placed #23 among the best colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in Denver, CO, Colorado State University Global Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $68,936. Typical student debt is $31,361.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #24 among the best colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public school based in Colorado Springs, CO. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,626. The median student debt is $23,559.
Southern Utah University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Cedar City, UT, Southern Utah University is a public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Southern Utah University graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,998. Typical student debt is $12,886.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 79 in the Rocky Mountains Region. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
