2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
18
Ranked Colleges
783
Degrees Awarded
$12,400
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
General Education is the 41st most popular major in the country with 29,810 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 783 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $43,358 and $19,756 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general education program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wyoming. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Laramie, Wyoming, this fairly large public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
UW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wyoming is $6,905 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wyoming General Education Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Idaho landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Idaho is located in Moscow, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
U of I not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Idaho is $10,816 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Idaho General Education Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Boise State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Boise State University is a large public school situated in Boise, Idaho. It awarded 16 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Boise State also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $12,561 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Boise State University.
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 more about General Education at Boise State
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.
CU Anschutz did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $10,404 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CU Anschutz.
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 General Education at CU Anschutz
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Weber State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Weber State University is a public institution located in Ogden, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
WSU also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $9,748 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 General Education at Weber State University
The University of Montana - Western landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Dillon, Montana, this small public school handed out 38 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Montana Western also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $8,596 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Montana - Western.
Read more about General Education at The University of Montana - Western
Southern Utah University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cedar City, Utah is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 146 students in 2020-2021.
Southern Utah University also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Utah University is $9,873 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at Southern Utah University
With a ranking of #8, Utah State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Logan, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.
USU also took the #10 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Utah State University is $9,148 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Education at USU
University of Northern Colorado landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Greeley, Colorado, and it awarded 70 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Northern Colorado also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $13,150 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Northern Colorado General Education Report
Westminster College Utah landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Westminster College Salt Lake is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Westminster College Salt Lake did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Westminster College Salt Lake is $20,003 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.
Full Westminster College Utah General Education Report
Montana State University - Billings landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Billings, Montana, and it awarded 3 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Montana State University - Billings did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Montana State University - Billings is $11,652 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Education at Montana State University - Billings
Metropolitan State University of Denver ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a fairly large school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 74 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Denver also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $11,867 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MSU Denver.
Read more about General Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver
Montana State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Montana State University is a fairly large school located in Bozeman, Montana that handed out 2 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, MSU Bozeman has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MSU Bozeman is $15,986 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 General Education at MSU Bozeman
With a ranking of #14, Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Colorado State University - Pueblo is a medium-sized school located in Pueblo, Colorado that handed out 42 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Colorado State University - Pueblo has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo is $11,243 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Education at Colorado State University - Pueblo
With a ranking of #15, Colorado Mesa University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Colorado Mesa University is a public institution located in Grand Junction, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado Mesa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado Mesa University is $12,685 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about General Education at Colorado Mesa
With a ranking of #16, Western Colorado University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Western also made our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Western is $13,146 for Rocky Mountains Region Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about General Education at Western Colorado University
Idaho State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Pocatello, Idaho, and it awarded 27 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
ISU also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Idaho State University is $15,185 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on General Education at ISU
Regis University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Regis U is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 3 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Regis U also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Regis U is $20,499 for rocky mountains region education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 Regis U General Education Report
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a More Focused Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.