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2023 Best Economics Colleges for Veterans in the Rocky Mountains Region

21 Ranked Colleges
2,050 Degrees Awarded
$29,100 Avg Cost*
Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics

When it comes to choosing a college, veterans have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Economics is the 19th most popular major in the country with 49,055 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 2,050 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,347 and $21,716 respectively.

This year’s “Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent economics programs, but they also offer a lot of support to veterans and active service members.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as veteran satisfaction, veteran affordability, and overall quality of the economics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics”.

Top 21 Best Economics Colleges for Veterans in the Rocky Mountains Region

1
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

Out of the 21 schools in the Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Utah landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Utah is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 224 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of U, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 33,081 students enrolled at U of U were GI Bill® students, of which 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $0. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

[Read full report on veteran student life at U of U]](/colleges/university-of-utah/student-life/veterans/)

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Colorado Boulder. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school awarded 343 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Of the 37,437 students enrolled at University of Colorado Boulder, 1,379 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 968 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,889. In addition to receiving other benefits, 46 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

[Read full report on veteran student life at University of Colorado Boulder]](/colleges/university-of-colorado-boulder/student-life/veterans/)

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Utah State University. The school came in at #3 for the Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics. Logan, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 424 students in 2020-2021.

USU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.According to our most recent data, Utah State University supports 27,691 students, and 3 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 1 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $285. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Utah State University does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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

Read More…

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, this large public school awarded 169 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Colorado State, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 32,428 students enrolled at Colorado State, 1,606 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 1,183 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,701. During this same period, 68 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Colorado State]](/colleges/colorado-state-university-fort-collins/student-life/veterans/)

5
DU crest
University of Denver
Denver, Colorado

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Denver. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. University of Denver is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 71 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DU, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 13,856 students enrolled at University of Denver, 571 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 373 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $12,359. To help with additional expenses, 155 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

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

Full DU Veteran Student Life Report

6

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking. Located in Denver, Colorado, this large public school awarded 153 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

CU Anschutz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 24,723 students enrolled at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus were GI Bill® students, of which 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $0. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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

Read More…

7
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking. Mines is a public institution located in Golden, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mines, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 6,744 students enrolled at Mines, 234 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 145 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $12,456. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

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

Read More…

8
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking. Laramie, Wyoming is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.

UW also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 11,829 students enrolled at UW, 473 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 255 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $3,738. In addition to receiving other benefits, 13 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

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

Read More…

9

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs ranked #9 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is a fairly large public school situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It awarded 34 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCCS, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 12,380 students enrolled at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 11 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 8 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,808. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 UCCS Veteran Student Life Report

10
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

With a ranking of #10, Montana State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. Located in Bozeman, Montana, this fairly large public school handed out 35 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

MSU Bozeman also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Among the 16,218 students enrolled at MSU Bozeman, 656 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 393 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,023. During this same period, 37 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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…

11

With a ranking of #11, Boise State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. Boise State University is a large public school situated in Boise, Idaho. It awarded 18 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Boise State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Boise State University supports 24,069 students, and 1,134 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 798 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,559. During this same period, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Boise State University offers credit for military training for eligible students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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…

12

University of Northern Colorado did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking, coming in at #12. Greeley, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Among the 11,460 students enrolled at University of Northern Colorado, 1 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $0. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. University of Northern Colorado does offer credit for military training for eligible students.

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

Full University of Northern Colorado Veteran Student Life Report

13
UM crest
The University of Montana
Missoula, Montana

With a ranking of #13, The University of Montana did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. Located in Missoula, Montana, this fairly large public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UM, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 1 of the 9,808 students enrolled at UM were GI Bill® students, of which 0 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $0. On top of their other funding sources, 0 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

14

Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 174 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU also took the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Our most recent data shows that 368 of the 36,461 students enrolled at BYU were GI Bill® students, of which 220 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $3,856. During this same period, 0 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full BYU Veteran Student Life Report

15
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking, coming in at #15. U of I is located in Moscow, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

U of I also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 10,791 students enrolled at U of I, 382 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 248 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $6,784. On top of their other funding sources, 29 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

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

Full U of I Veteran Student Life Report

16
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, Colorado

With a ranking of #16, Colorado College did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. Colorado College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 69 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.According to our most recent data, Colorado College supports 2,050 students, and 16 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 7 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $17,329. During this same period, 5 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of [DEFAULT_RATE_STRING]% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read More…

17

Metropolitan State University of Denver landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

MSU Denver also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Of the 19,086 students enrolled at Metropolitan State University of Denver, 1,222 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 867 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $6,619. On top of their other funding sources, 7 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Metropolitan State University of Denver offers credit for military training for eligible students.

[Read full report on veteran student life at Metropolitan State University of Denver]](/colleges/metropolitan-state-college-of-denver/student-life/veterans/)

18

With a ranking of #18, Weber State University did quite well on the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. WSU is a public institution located in Ogden, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WSU also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].According to our most recent data, WSU supports 29,596 students, and 747 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 472 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $4,815. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

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

Read More…

19
ISU crest
Idaho State University
Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University ranked #19 on this year’s Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics list. Idaho State University is a fairly large public school situated in Pocatello, Idaho. It awarded 12 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ISU, the school also landed the #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] spot in our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” ranking.Of the 11,766 students enrolled at Idaho State University, 422 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 221 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $5,419. In addition to receiving other benefits, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.

Read More…

20
Western crest
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University did quite well in the 2023 Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking, coming in at #20. Western is a public institution located in Gunnison, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS] on our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list.Among the 3,203 students enrolled at Western, 75 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 46 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $7,543. To help with additional expenses, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Western offers credit for military training for eligible students.

Read More…

21

Brigham Young University - Idaho came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Veteran Friendly in the Rocky Mountains Region for Economics ranking. Brigham Young University - Idaho is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Rexburg, Idaho. It awarded 19 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU - I also made our “[COLLEGE_QUALITY_NAME_ALL_LEVELS]” list, coming in at #[COLLEGE_QUALITY_RANK_ALL_LEVELS].Our most recent data shows that 471 of the 44,481 students enrolled at Brigham Young University - Idaho were GI Bill® students, of which 200 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $2,677. In addition to receiving other benefits, 0 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.

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

Read More…

Notes and References

References

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