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Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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2023 Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

69 Schools Ranked
$42,590 Average Earnings
$23,061 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 69 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana
$49,532 Average Earnings
$21,640 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Providence to be the best school for students in the Rocky Mountains Region .

Degree recipients from University of Providence accumulate an average of $21,640 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from University of Providence, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,532 during the early years of their career.

Full University of Providence Report

#2

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, Colorado
$72,191 Average Earnings
$26,133 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Colorado School of Mines. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

On average, students take out $26,133 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $549, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Mines graduates make an average of $72,191 annually.

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#3

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
$62,838 Average Earnings
$26,218 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Governors University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

On average, students take out $26,218 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WGU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $62,838 during the early year of their career.

Full Western Governors University Report

#4

Colorado State University - Global Campus

Greenwood Village, Colorado
$59,059 Average Earnings
$31,798 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Colorado State University - Global Campus is a great place for students.

Degree recipients from Colorado State University - Global Campus accumulate an average of $31,798 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Colorado State University - Global Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $59,059 during the early years of their career.

Full Colorado State University - Global Campus Report

$45,865 Average Earnings
$23,304 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 69 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the # 5 spot on the list.

Degree recipients from Colorado State accumulate an average of $23,304 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $397, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Colorado State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,865 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Colorado State University - Fort Collins

#6

Colorado College

Colorado Springs, Colorado
$29,468 Average Earnings
$16,653 Avg Student Debt

Colorado College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $16,653 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Colorado College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,468 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Colorado College

#7

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
$48,893 Average Earnings
$20,697 Avg Student Debt

University of Colorado Boulder did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #7 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,697 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $566, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CU - Boulder graduates make an average of $48,893 annually.

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$46,470 Average Earnings
$14,534 Avg Student Debt

Brigham Young University - Provo came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

On average, students take out $14,534 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, BYU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,470 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Brigham Young University - Provo

$63,042 Average Earnings
$22,903 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Montana Technological University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from Montana Tech accumulate an average of $22,903 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Montana Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $63,042 during the early years of their career.

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#10

Utah Valley University

Orem, Utah
$43,719 Average Earnings
$20,616 Avg Student Debt

Utah Valley University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

Degree recipients from UVU accumulate an average of $20,616 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UVU graduates make an average of $43,719 annually.

Read full report on Utah Valley University

#11

Red Rocks Community College

Lakewood, Colorado
$53,516 Average Earnings
$17,601 Avg Student Debt

Red Rocks Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

On average, students take out $17,601 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Red Rocks Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,516 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Red Rocks Community College

#12

Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake City, Utah
$36,151 Average Earnings
$13,438 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Salt Lake Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

Degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College accumulate an average of $13,438 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Salt Lake Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,151 during the early year of their career.

Full Salt Lake Community College Report

#13

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
$51,388 Average Earnings
$22,086 Avg Student Debt

University of Utah did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $22,086 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, U of U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,388 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on University of Utah

$56,691 Average Earnings
$28,012 Avg Student Debt

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $28,012 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $251 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CU Anschutz graduates make an average of $56,691 annually.

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#15

Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, Colorado
$38,257 Average Earnings
$19,702 Avg Student Debt

Arapahoe Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College accumulate an average of $19,702 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Arapahoe Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,257 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Arapahoe Community College

#16

Carroll College

Helena, Montana
$33,212 Average Earnings
$23,566 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Carroll College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $23,566 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Carroll Montana graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,212 during the early year of their career.

Full Carroll College Report

#17

Front Range Community College

Westminster, Colorado
$36,174 Average Earnings
$20,922 Avg Student Debt

Front Range Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list.

On average, students take out $20,922 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, FRCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,174 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Front Range Community College

#18

University of Denver

Denver, Colorado
$51,736 Average Earnings
$25,437 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, University of Denver did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $25,437 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $579, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from DU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,736 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of Denver

#19

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
$44,258 Average Earnings
$21,087 Avg Student Debt

University of Wyoming came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking.

On average, students take out $21,087 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UW graduates make an average of $44,258 annually.

Full University of Wyoming Report

#20

College of Western Idaho

Nampa, Idaho
$38,051 Average Earnings
$15,009 Avg Student Debt

College of Western Idaho ranked #20 on this year’s Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,009 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CWI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,051 during the early year of their career.

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#21

Weber State University

Ogden, Utah
$46,655 Average Earnings
$21,703 Avg Student Debt

Weber State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,703 in student loans.After graduating from WSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,655 during the early years of their career.

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#22

Westminster College Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
$58,249 Average Earnings
$23,131 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #22, Westminster College Utah did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $23,131 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Westminster College Salt Lake graduates make an average of $58,249 annually.

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#23

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
$40,180 Average Earnings
$23,336 Avg Student Debt

University of Northern Colorado did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #23 on the list.

Degree recipients from University of Northern Colorado accumulate an average of $23,336 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $281 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Northern Colorado graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,180 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#24

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
$42,623 Average Earnings
$18,083 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, Utah State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,083 in student loans.After graduating from USU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,623 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Utah State University

$49,482 Average Earnings
$36,481 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs ranked #25 on this year’s Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

On average, students take out $36,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $170 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs graduates make an average of $49,482 annually.

Read More…

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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