2023 Best Value Trade School Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Value Trade School Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 36 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which ones offered the best value bachelor's degree programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. 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.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Trade Bachelor's Degree 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 trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 6,226 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,536 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,385 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at BYU - I, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
BYU - I also took the #3 spot in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region rankings.
Out of the 36 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Western Governors University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 24,230 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WGU are $8,010 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,244 in loans while pursuing their degree.
WGU is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
WGU also made our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list, coming in at #1.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Colorado State University - Global Campus is a great place for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Aurora, Colorado, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,881 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Colorado State University - Global Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $8,400 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $25,821 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Colorado State University - Global Campus is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Colorado State University - Global Campus did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Read full report on Colorado State University - Global Campus
Out of the 36 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the # 4 spot on the list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a large private not-for-profit school located in Provo, Utah that handed out 6,562 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
BYU undergraduate students pay an average of $6,304 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $14,480 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BYU. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Pueblo. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Pueblo, Colorado, and it awarded 748 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Colorado State University - Pueblo undergraduate students pay an average of $16,324 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,825 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Colorado State University - Pueblo does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Colorado State University - Pueblo also claimed a spot on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Montana State University - Northern landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Havre, Montana, and it awarded 135 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Montana State University - Northern are $18,665 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,284 in student loans.
Montana State University - Northern does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Montana State University - Northern not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #5 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Utah Valley University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. UVU is a large public school situated in Orem, Utah. It awarded 4,072 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
UVU undergraduate students pay an average of $17,830 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,494 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
UVU does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, UVU also did well on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
University of Wyoming landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. UW is a fairly large public school situated in Laramie, Wyoming. It awarded 2,325 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW are $17,745 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $18,569 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at UW, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Weber State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. WSU is a public institution located in Ogden, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,639 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WSU are $17,084 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,225 in loans while pursuing their degree.
WSU does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 47% took at least some of their classes online.
Lewis - Clark State College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Lewis - Clark State College is a small public school located in Lewiston, Idaho that handed out 580 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Lewis - Clark State College undergraduate students pay an average of $20,252 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,300 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Lewis - Clark State College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
Montana State University - Billings did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Montana State University - Billings is a small public school situated in Billings, Montana. It awarded 435 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Montana State University - Billings are $19,924 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,018 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Montana State University - Billings does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Fort Collins, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 5,383 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado State are $32,517 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Colorado State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 52% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Colorado State not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #2 on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.
Pueblo Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Pueblo Community College is a public institution located in Pueblo, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pueblo Community College are $16,275 a year.
Pueblo Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #15, Montana Technological University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. Montana Tech is a public institution located in Butte, Montana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 282 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Montana Tech are $23,142 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,523 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Montana Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 35% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
University of Utah ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. This large public school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 5,498 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
U of U undergraduate students pay an average of $29,837 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $20,009 in loans while pursuing their degree.
U of U does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, U of U also did well on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Boise State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Boise State is a large public school situated in Boise, Idaho. It awarded 4,080 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Boise State are $25,701 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,220 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Boise State. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
University of Northern Colorado ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. University of Northern Colorado is a medium-sized public school located in Greeley, Colorado that handed out 1,857 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
University of Northern Colorado undergraduate students pay an average of $24,159 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,516 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at University of Northern Colorado. During the 2020-2021 year, about 46% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Community College of Denver did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their bachelor’s degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 16 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
CCD undergraduate students pay an average of $16,235 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,137 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CCD does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value bachelor’s degree trade school programs. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fairly large public school awarded 1,992 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
UCCS undergraduate students pay an average of $22,332 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,631 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UCCS. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Montana State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Bozeman, Montana, the fairly large public school handed out 2,612 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
MSU Bozeman undergraduate students pay an average of $29,604 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,283 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MSU Bozeman does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 19% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Idaho State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Idaho State University is a fairly large public school located in Pocatello, Idaho that handed out 1,124 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
ISU undergraduate students pay an average of $25,936 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,046 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ISU does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Colorado Mesa University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Colorado Mesa University is a medium-sized public school located in Grand Junction, Colorado that handed out 1,106 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Colorado Mesa are $23,019 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,870 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Colorado Mesa does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 43% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Carroll College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Helena, Montana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 255 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Carroll Montana are $39,028 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,163 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Carroll Montana does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 23% took at least some of their classes online.
The College of Idaho ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Caldwell, Idaho, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 275 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The College of Idaho undergraduate students pay an average of $34,630 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,365 in student loans.
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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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