2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which computer science program is right 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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Computer Science Degree Search has created its Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 27 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which programs offered the best value experiences for computer science students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Brigham Young University - Idaho the best value school in the Rocky Mountains Region for computer science students working on their degree. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 379 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,533 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from BYU - I, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,650 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Western Governors University is a great place for computer science students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. WGU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 5,881 degrees in 2020-2021.
WGU undergraduate students pay an average of $7,452 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WGU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $62,838 during the early years of their career.
WGU not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
The excellent programs at Brigham Young University - Provo helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value computer science schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . Located in Provo, Utah, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 471 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BYU are $6,120 a year. 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.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, BYU is ranked #3 for overall quality in the Rocky Mountains Region .
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Colorado State University - Global Campus is a great place for computer science students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Located in Greenwood Village, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 559 degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado State University - Global Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $8,400 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,798 in student loans.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.
Colorado State University - Global Campus excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Western Idaho. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. CWI is located in Nampa, Idaho and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 173 degrees to qualified students.
CWI undergraduate students pay an average of $7,344 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,009 in student loans. During the early years of their career, CWI graduates make an average of $38,051 annually.
Salt Lake Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #6 on the list. Salt Lake Community College is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 677 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Salt Lake Community College are $12,734 per year. On average, students take out $13,438 in loans while pursuing 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.
Salt Lake Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Red Rocks Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Lakewood, Colorado, and it awarded 52 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Red Rocks Community College are $15,811 a year. On average, students take out $17,601 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Red Rocks Community College graduates make an average of $53,516 annually.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Red Rocks Community College is ranked #5 for overall quality in the Rocky Mountains Region .
Front Range Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #8 on the list. Westminster, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 330 students in 2020-2021.
FRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,454 in tuition and fees each year. 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.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the large private for-profit school handed out 826 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs are $12,581 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,481 in student loans. 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. Once they receive their degree, Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,482 during the early year of their career.
Full Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Report
Pikes Peak Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fairly large public school awarded 141 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at PPCC are $15,403 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,776 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, PPCC graduates make an average of $31,856 annually.
Utah Valley University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. UVU is located in Orem, Utah and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 644 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UVU are $17,092 a year. On average, students take out $20,616 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UVU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,719 during the early years of their career.
Weber State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. WSU is a large public school situated in Ogden, Utah. It awarded 511 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WSU are $16,644 per year. 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.
Regis University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Regis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 241 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Regis U are $39,610 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,679 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $373.After graduating from Regis U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,795 during the early years of their career.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. CU Anschutz is located in Denver, Colorado and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 179 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CU Anschutz are $26,376 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,012 in student loans. 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.
Full University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Report
Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, the large public school handed out 332 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado State are $31,470 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,304 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $397.After graduating from Colorado State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,865 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Colorado State is ranked #4 for overall quality in the Rocky Mountains Region .
Read full report on Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Utah State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Logan, Utah, the large public school handed out 231 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at USU are $23,435 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,083 in student debt by the time they complete 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.
University of Utah landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. University of Utah is a large public school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 709 degrees in 2020-2021.
U of U undergraduate students pay an average of $28,345 in tuition and fees each year. 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.
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value computer science programs. Colorado Springs, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 134 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UCCS are $22,270 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,627 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $289 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UCCS graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,256 during the early year of their career.
Read full report on University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
University of Idaho came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. University of Idaho is a fairly large public school located in Moscow, Idaho that handed out 74 degrees in 2020-2021.
U of I undergraduate students pay an average of $27,576 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,511 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $241. During the early years of their career, U of I graduates make an average of $38,989 annually.
Boise State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Boise State is a public institution located in Boise, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 142 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Boise State are $24,980 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,461 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $259. During the early years of their career, Boise State graduates make an average of $42,749 annually.
Colorado Mesa University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for computer science students. It came in at #21 on the list. Grand Junction, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Colorado Mesa are $22,322 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,997 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $176 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Colorado Mesa graduates make an average of $38,493 annually.
University of Colorado Boulder came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. CU - Boulder is a large public school situated in Boulder, Colorado. It awarded 641 degrees in 2020-2021.
CU - Boulder undergraduate students pay an average of $38,358 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,697 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $566.After graduating from CU - Boulder, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,893 during the early years of their career.
The University of Montana came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. UM is a public institution located in Missoula, Montana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 73 degrees in 2020-2021.
UM undergraduate students pay an average of $28,476 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $25,131 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $275, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UM, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,416 during the early years of their career.
Metropolitan State University of Denver came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science 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 111 degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Denver undergraduate students pay an average of $27,502 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $28,409 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MSU Denver graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,544 during the early year of their career.
Dixie State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Computer Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Dixie State College is a public institution located in Saint George, Utah. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 79 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Dixie State College are $16,986 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,955 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Dixie State College graduates make an average of $35,951 annually.
View Best Value Computer Science Schools Nationwide >
More Rocky Mountains Rankings
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.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |