2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in social sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Social Sciences Schools
Front Range Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools in Colorado. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,354 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Colorado State University Pueblo, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $37,389. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Adams State College one of the best values for social sciences. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,441 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $46,948 early in their careers. Set against $29,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a great value for students pursuing a degree in social sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,013 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $32,310. Set against $27,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa State College earned it the #5 place for social sciences. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #6 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,629 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,424. That is a strong return on a $21,629 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College came in at #7 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,091 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $26,883 early in their careers. Set against $18,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #8 position for value in social sciences this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $23,170 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,569. That is a strong return on a $23,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #9 position for value in social sciences 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $27,022. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $53,327 early in their careers. Set against $27,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #10 among the best values for social sciences. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,298 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $38,831. That is a strong return on a $23,298 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #11 among the best values for social sciences. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,894 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $44,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Regis University placed #12 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $39,337 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $48,522. Set against $39,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #13 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $24,521. Social Sciences graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $76,298 early in their careers. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
Colorado College came in at #14 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $58,082. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
University Of Denver ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $61,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,357 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $51,501 early in their careers. Set against $21,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[Social Sciences](/majors/social-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
