2023 Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
The Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 212 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Western Governors University to be the most popular school for students in the Rocky Mountains Region . Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 49,508 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from WGU accumulate an average of $26,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, WGU graduates make an average of $62,838 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Utah Valley University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. UVU is located in Orem, Utah and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12,591 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,616 in student loans.After graduating from UVU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,719 during the early years of their career. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Colorado Boulder. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This large public school is located in Boulder, Colorado, and it awarded 9,728 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,697 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $566 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CU - Boulder graduates make an average of $48,893 annually. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of Utah helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . U of U is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,174 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from U of U accumulate an average of $22,086 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, U of U graduates make an average of $51,388 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 8,028 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,534 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from BYU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,470 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
With a ranking of #6, Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, the large public school awarded 7,914 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,304 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $397 if they 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. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Brigham Young University - Idaho did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 7,639 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,533 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BYU - I graduates make an average of $37,650 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Utah State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Utah State University is a large public school located in Logan, Utah that handed out 6,936 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,083 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from USU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,623 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs is a large private for-profit school located in Colorado Springs, Colorado that handed out 6,864 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs accumulate an average of $36,481 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $170, assuming you 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. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Read full report on Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs
With a ranking of #10, Weber State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. WSU is located in Ogden, Utah and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,445 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $21,703 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, WSU graduates make an average of $46,655 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
With a ranking of #11, Front Range Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Westminster, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 6,238 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,922 in student loans. During the early years of their career, FRCC graduates make an average of $36,174 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Boise State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This large public school is located in Boise, Idaho, and it awarded 5,898 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,461 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $259 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Boise State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,749 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #13 on the list. This large public school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 5,658 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $28,012 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $251. During the early years of their career, CU Anschutz graduates make an average of $56,691 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Read full report on University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Salt Lake Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Salt Lake Community College is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,519 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College accumulate an average of $13,438 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Salt Lake Community College graduates make an average of $36,151 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
University of Denver ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Denver, Colorado, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5,008 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from DU accumulate an average of $25,437 in student debt by the time they complete 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. During the early years of their career, DU graduates make an average of $51,736 annually. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Colorado State University - Global Campus landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Colorado State University - Global Campus is located in Greenwood Village, Colorado and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,895 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,798 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Colorado State University - Global Campus graduates make an average of $59,059 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Metropolitan State University of Denver came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. MSU Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,635 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,409 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MSU Denver graduates make an average of $39,544 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Pikes Peak Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This fairly large public school is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and it awarded 3,559 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,776 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, PPCC graduates make an average of $31,856 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Montana State University ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. MSU Bozeman is a public institution located in Bozeman, Montana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,410 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,435 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $305 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from MSU Bozeman, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,198 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
University of Wyoming ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Laramie, Wyoming, the fairly large public school handed out 3,170 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,087 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UW, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,258 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #21, The University of Montana did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Missoula, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,113 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,131 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $275. Once they receive their degree, UM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,416 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
University of Northern Colorado landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, Colorado and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,009 degrees to qualified students.
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. During the early years of their career, University of Northern Colorado graduates make an average of $40,180 annually. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
Southern Utah University ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Cedar City, Utah, the fairly large public school handed out 2,812 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,205 in student loans.After graduating from Southern Utah University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,962 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Idaho State University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. ISU is a fairly large public school situated in Pocatello, Idaho. It awarded 2,831 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $27,404 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from ISU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,640 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. UCCS is a public institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,788 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UCCS accumulate an average of $24,627 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $289, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UCCS graduates make an average of $44,256 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 32 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Mountainland Technical College | Lehi, UT |
| 34 | Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO |
| 35 | Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO |
| 36 | Aims Community College | Greeley, CO |
| 37 | North Idaho College | Coeur d’Alene, ID |
| 38 | Davis Technical College | Kaysville, UT |
| 39 | Snow College | Ephraim, UT |
| 40 | Colorado Christian University | Lakewood, CO |
| 41 | Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs, CO |
| 42 | College of Southern Idaho | Twin Falls, ID |
| 43 | Community College of Denver | Denver, CO |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
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%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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