Best value colleges in the West in Colorado
Colleges in the West with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price after aid, earnings and debt.
Best value colleges in the West in Colorado6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by Value.
How this list is made
- Schools in Colorado.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- In the West (U.S. Census Bureau region).
- Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Value, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Regis University
Denver, CO · Private nonprofitTop 13% for earnings
- Value grade A- · Top 20%
- Net price $18,397 a year
- 2
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Value grade B+ · Top 33%
- Net price $25,346 a year
- 3
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public#7 in Colorado
- Value grade B+ · Top 34%
- Net price $21,279 a year
- 4
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO · PublicHonor RollTop 3% for earnings
- Value grade B · Top 46%
- Net price $28,690 a year
- 5
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Value grade B-
- Net price $33,375 a year
- 6
University of Denver
Denver, CO · Private nonprofit#4 in Colorado
- Value grade B-
- Net price $36,131 a year
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regis University | $18,397 | $25,000 | $72,105 | 61% |
| University of Colorado Boulder | $25,346 | $19,500 | $69,738 | 74% |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | $21,279 | $20,000 | $60,543 | 67% |
| Colorado School of Mines | $28,690 | $23,000 | $97,335 | 82% |
| Colorado College | $33,375 | $18,257 | $65,222 | 88% |
| University of Denver | $36,131 | $21,844 | $71,155 | 76% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.