2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
When pursuing a college degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its Best Associate Degree Colleges in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.
What's on This Page: * Our Methodology
Choosing the Best School for You
We analyzed 46 colleges and universities across the Rocky Mountains Region to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. Our ranking for the best schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. The following gives more info on what goes into our ranking factors and why we consider those factors.
Average Early-Career Salaries
To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving an associate degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.
Student Loan Borrowing
Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well.
During their time at college, associate degree seekers from schools in the Rocky Mountains Region take out an average of $10,720.
We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.
Additional Ranking Factors We Use
In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking.
These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.
Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology
Other Rankings
Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list
by location. Also, check out our other
college rankings to help you with your college decision.
Top Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
3,110
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,214
Average Early-Career Earnings
Our 2025 rankings named Weber State University the best school in the Rocky Mountains Region in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. Weber State University is a large public school located in Ogden, Utah that handed out 3,110 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $40,214 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Weber State University
1,092
Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,429
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Utah State University. The school came in at #2 in the Rocky Mountains Region on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Utah State University is a large public school located in Logan, Utah that handed out 1,092 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from USU is $34,429 during the early years of their career.
Full Utah State University Report
4,917
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,745
Average Early-Career Earnings
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Utah Valley University. It ranked #3 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Utah Valley University is a large public school located in Orem, Utah that handed out 4,917 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from UVU is $32,745 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Utah Valley University
1,906
Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,375
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,938
Average Student Debt
Out of the 46 associate degree schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Front Range Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Front Range Community College is a large public school located in Westminster, Colorado that handed out 1,906 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from FRCC go into careers with an average salary of $42,375 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $9,938 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Front Range Community College
3,261
Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,865
Average Early-Career Earnings
$7,198
Average Student Debt
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Salt Lake Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the large public school awarded 3,261 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Salt Lake Community College go into careers with an average salary of $41,865 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $7,198 after getting their degree.
Full Salt Lake Community College Report
728
Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,651
Average Early-Career Earnings
$11,717
Average Student Debt
Community College of Denver did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #6. CCD is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 728 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from CCD make an average of $40,651 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $11,717 in student loans.
Learn More About Community College of Denver
620
Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,715
Average Early-Career Earnings
Community College of Aurora did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #7. Aurora, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 620 students in 2021-2022.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $37,715 during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Community College of Aurora
484
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,551
Average Early-Career Earnings
Colorado Mountain College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized public school is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and it awarded 484 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Colorado Mountain College make an average of $32,551 per year during the early years of their career.
Full Colorado Mountain College Report
686
Associate Degrees Awarded
$33,224
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,000
Average Student Debt
Aims Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Aims Community College is a public institution located in Greeley, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 686 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Aims Community College make an average of $33,224 a year. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $14,000.
Full Aims Community College Report
593
Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,750
Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,511
Average Student Debt
Red Rocks Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Red Rocks Community College is located in Lakewood, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 593 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Those who receive a associate degree from Red Rocks Community College go into careers with an average salary of $35,750 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,511.
Full Red Rocks Community College Report
296
Associate Degrees Awarded
$52,884
Average Early-Career Earnings
The University of Montana did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #11. UM is located in Missoula, Montana and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 296 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $52,884 during the early years of their career.
Full The University of Montana Report
115
Associate Degrees Awarded
$33,151
Average Early-Career Earnings
Montana State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Bozeman, Montana, the fairly large public school handed out 115 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from MSU Bozeman is $33,151 during the early years of their career.
Full Montana State University Report
210
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,380
Average Early-Career Earnings
Colorado Christian University did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #13. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Lakewood, Colorado, and it awarded 210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from CCU make an average of $39,380 a year.
Read full report on Colorado Christian University
660
Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,806
Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,500
Average Student Debt
Pueblo Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Pueblo, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 660 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Pueblo Community College is $45,806 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $9,500.
Learn More About Pueblo Community College
729
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,420
Average Early-Career Earnings
North Idaho College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the small public school handed out 729 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from NIC make an average of $32,420 a year.
Learn More About North Idaho College
215
Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,510
Average Early-Career Earnings
Northeastern Junior College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Sterling, Colorado, the small public school handed out 215 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from NJC is $38,510 during the early years of their career.
Full Northeastern Junior College Report
754
Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,507
Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,325
Average Student Debt
Arapahoe Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #17. Arapahoe Community College is a fairly large public school located in Littleton, Colorado that handed out 754 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Arapahoe Community College make an average of $45,507 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $17,325 after getting their degree.
Learn More About Arapahoe Community College
1,734
Associate Degrees Awarded
$24,258
Average Early-Career Earnings
Southern Utah University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Southern Utah University is a fairly large public school located in Cedar City, Utah that handed out 1,734 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from Southern Utah University go into careers with an average salary of $24,258 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Southern Utah University
1,611
Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,781
Average Early-Career Earnings
$7,175
Average Student Debt
Pikes Peak Community College did quite well in the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking, coming in at #19. PPCC is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,611 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $32,781 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $7,175.
Read full report on Pikes Peak Community College
472
Associate Degrees Awarded
$57,038
Average Early-Career Earnings
Northern Wyoming Community College District came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Northern Wyoming Community College District is located in Sheridan, Wyoming and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 472 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Northern Wyoming Community College District is $57,038 during the early years of their career.
Full Northern Wyoming Community College District Report
221
Associate Degrees Awarded
Adams State University landed the #21 spot on the 2025 Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Adams State University is a small public school located in Alamosa, Colorado that handed out 221 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full Adams State University Report
241
Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,053
Average Early-Career Earnings
Trinidad State Junior College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Trinidad State Junior College is located in Trinidad, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 241 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.
Graduates with a associate degree from Trinidad State Junior College make an average of $43,053 per year during the early years of their career.
Learn More About Trinidad State Junior College
137
Associate Degrees Awarded
$65,324
Average Early-Career Earnings
Colorado Northwestern Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Rangely, Colorado, the small public school handed out 137 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from CNCC is $65,324 during the early years of their career.
Full Colorado Northwestern Community College Report
204
Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,613
Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,937
Average Student Debt
Lewis - Clark State College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This small public school is located in Lewiston, Idaho, and it awarded 204 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Graduates with a associate degree from Lewis - Clark State College make an average of $39,613 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $14,937 after getting their degree.
Read full report on Lewis - Clark State College
445
Associate Degrees Awarded
$66,784
Average Early-Career Earnings
Laramie County Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This small public school is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and it awarded 445 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Those who receive a associate degree from LCCC go into careers with an average salary of $66,784 during the early years of their career.
Read full report on Laramie County Community College
