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

26 Ranked Colleges
3,156 Degrees Awarded
$13,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Communication & Media Studies is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 10th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 66,787 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, communication and media studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,115 and had an average of $25,414 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 3,156 communication and media studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,142 and $23,352 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree in communication and media studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality communication and media studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the communication and media studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Communication & Media Studies Schools

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Communication & Media Studies (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 236 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

BYU - I not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Idaho is $3,357 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications 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%.

Full BYU - I Communication & Media Studies Report

2

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #2 spot on the list. Colorado State is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 202 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Colorado State has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $12,736 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Colorado State.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Colorado State

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. BYU is a large school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 95 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Provo is $10,333 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Brigham Young University - Provo

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Colorado Boulder. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boulder, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 193 students in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $13,901 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CU - Boulder.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 CU - Boulder Communication & Media Studies Report

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

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Communications 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. U of U is located in Salt Lake City, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 343 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of U, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $11,823 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Utah.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at University of Utah

6

Utah Valley University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Orem, Utah, and it awarded 203 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Utah Valley University is $9,992 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Communication & Media Studies at UVU

7
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

With a ranking of #7, University of Wyoming did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wyoming is a fairly large public school situated in Laramie, Wyoming. It awarded 53 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

UW also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend UW is $6,776 for rocky mountains region communications 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at UW

8

Boise State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boise State University is located in Boise, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 202 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Boise State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State University is $13,582 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Communication & Media Studies at Boise State University

9

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 173 students in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for CU Anschutz is $12,017 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at CU Anschutz

10

With a ranking of #10, Weber State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Ogden, Utah, and it awarded 139 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $10,173 for rocky mountains region communications 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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at Weber State University

11
Dixie State College crest
Dixie State University
Saint George, Utah

With a ranking of #11, Dixie State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dixie State College is a public institution located in Saint George, Utah. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Dixie State College also took the #19 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dixie State University is $13,087 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at Dixie State College

12

Utah State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Logan, Utah, and it awarded 59 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

USU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Utah State University is $9,821 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications 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%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at USU

13

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is a public institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 164 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCCS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $11,395 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Communication & Media Studies at UCCS

14

University of Northern Colorado landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large public school situated in Greeley, Colorado. It awarded 79 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Northern Colorado, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Colorado is $13,774 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Northern Colorado

15
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

With a ranking of #15, University of Denver did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Denver is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 294 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, DU has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for DU is $21,285 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at University of Denver

16
Southern Utah University crest
Southern Utah University
Cedar City, Utah

Southern Utah University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cedar City, Utah, this fairly large public school handed out 107 diplomas to qualified ’s communications students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k list, Southern Utah University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Utah University is $10,697 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Communication & Media Studies at Southern Utah University

17
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Moscow, Idaho is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

U of I not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $11,148 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Idaho.

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 full report on Communication & Media Studies at U of I

18
Westminster College Salt Lake crest
Westminster College Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Westminster College Utah landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Westminster College Utah is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a small population, and it awarded 39 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Westminster College Salt Lake also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Westminster College Utah is $19,656 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 Communication & Media Studies at Westminster College Utah

19
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Missoula, Montana, and it awarded 45 ’s communications degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at UM

20

Northwest Nazarene University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nampa, Idaho. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

NNU also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for NNU is $18,633 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 Communication & Media Studies at NNU

21

With a ranking of #21, Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a public institution located in Pueblo, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo is $11,440 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Colorado State University - Pueblo

22
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western is located in Gunnison, Colorado and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s communications degrees to qualified students.

Western also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $13,136 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Western Colorado University.

Full Western Communication & Media Studies Report

23
ISU crest
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. ISU is a public institution located in Pocatello, Idaho. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

ISU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $16,214 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Idaho State University.

Read more about Communication & Media Studies at ISU

24
Colorado Mesa crest
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, Colorado

Colorado Mesa University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grand Junction, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s communications degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Colorado Mesa is $13,640 for Rocky Mountains Region Communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Colorado Mesa

25
Regis U crest
Regis University
Denver, Colorado

Regis University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Communications Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Regis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Regis U also made our “Best Communication & Media Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Regis U is $22,023 for rocky mountains region communications students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Communication & Media Studies at Regis University

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