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Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

60 Schools Ranked
$11,048 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$26,235 Avg Student Debt*

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 Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 60 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

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.

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

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

8,121 Total Awards
$4,536 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Brigham Young University - Idaho the best value school in the Rocky Mountains Region for trade school students working on their degree. Rexburg, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 8,121 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,536 a year.

BYU - I not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

Read full report on Brigham Young University - Idaho

139 Total Awards
$9,642 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Highlands College of Montana Tech. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Butte, Montana, the very small public school handed out 139 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Highlands College of Montana Tech are $9,642 per year.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Highlands College of Montana Tech is ranked #1 for overall quality in the Rocky Mountains Region .

Read full report on Highlands College of Montana Tech

#3

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
43,908 Total Awards
$8,010 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Western Governors University is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Salt Lake City, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 43,908 students in 2021-2022.

WGU undergraduate students pay an average of $8,010 in tuition and fees each year.

WGU also made our Best Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list, coming in at #3.

Read full report on Western Governors University

7,920 Total Awards
$6,304 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. BYU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 7,920 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU are $6,304 per year.

Read full report on Brigham Young University - Provo

#5

College of Eastern Idaho

Idaho Falls, Idaho
382 Total Awards
$6,750 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means College of Eastern Idaho is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Idaho Falls, Idaho is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 382 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CEI are $6,750 per year.

Read More…

#6

Trinidad State Junior College

Trinidad, Colorado
701 Total Awards
$8,360 Average Tuition & Fees

Trinidad State Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Trinidad, Colorado, the small public school awarded 701 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Trinidad State Junior College are $8,360 a year.

Full Trinidad State Junior College Report

255 Total Awards
$6,740 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado Northwestern Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. CNCC is a public institution located in Rangely, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 255 degrees in 2021-2022.

CNCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,740 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#8

Western Wyoming Community College

Rock Springs, Wyoming
370 Total Awards
$8,640 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Wyoming Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Rock Springs, Wyoming, the small public school handed out 370 degrees in 2021-2022.

WWCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,640 in tuition and fees each year.

WWCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

Read More…

#9

Otero Junior College

La Junta, Colorado
349 Total Awards
$6,730 Average Tuition & Fees

Otero Junior College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Otero Junior College is a very small public school located in La Junta, Colorado that handed out 349 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Otero JC are $6,730 a year.

Full Otero Junior College Report

#10

Lamar Community College

Lamar, Colorado
215 Total Awards
$6,720 Average Tuition & Fees

Lamar Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. LCC is located in Lamar, Colorado and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 215 degrees to qualified students.

LCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,720 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Lamar Community College Report

#10

Northeastern Junior College

Sterling, Colorado
544 Total Awards
$7,691 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. NJC is a public institution located in Sterling, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 544 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NJC are $7,691 per year.

Full Northeastern Junior College Report

#12

College of Southern Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho
1,428 Total Awards
$6,840 Average Tuition & Fees

College of Southern Idaho did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Twin Falls, Idaho, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,428 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of Southern Idaho are $6,840 per year.

Read full report on College of Southern Idaho

#13

Casper College

Casper, Wyoming
796 Total Awards
$8,568 Average Tuition & Fees

Casper College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Casper College is a small public school located in Casper, Wyoming that handed out 796 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Casper College are $8,568 a year.

Read full report on Casper College

#14

North Idaho College

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
1,380 Total Awards
$8,736 Average Tuition & Fees

North Idaho College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. North Idaho College is a small public school located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho that handed out 1,380 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NIC are $8,736 per year.

Read full report on North Idaho College

#15

Laramie County Community College

Cheyenne, Wyoming
770 Total Awards
$10,913 Average Tuition & Fees

Laramie County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the small public school handed out 770 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCCC are $10,913 a year.

Full Laramie County Community College Report

#16

Red Rocks Community College

Lakewood, Colorado
2,069 Total Awards
$16,135 Average Tuition & Fees

Red Rocks Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,069 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Red Rocks Community College are $16,135 per year.

Red Rocks Community College also took the #5 spot in our Best Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region rankings.

Read More…

#17

College of Western Idaho

Nampa, Idaho
2,595 Total Awards
$7,344 Average Tuition & Fees

College of Western Idaho came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. CWI is located in Nampa, Idaho and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,595 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CWI are $7,344 per year.

Read full report on College of Western Idaho

672 Total Awards
$11,130 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Wyoming Community College District ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Sheridan, Wyoming is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 672 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northern Wyoming Community College District are $11,130 a year.

Full Northern Wyoming Community College District Report

#19

Miles Community College

Miles City, Montana
123 Total Awards
$10,110 Average Tuition & Fees

Miles Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Miles City, Montana, the very small public school handed out 123 degrees in 2021-2022.

Miles Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,110 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Miles Community College

974 Total Awards
$16,324 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado State University - Pueblo ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Colorado State University - Pueblo is located in Pueblo, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 974 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado State University - Pueblo are $16,324 per year.

Colorado State University - Pueblo also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

Full Colorado State University - Pueblo Report

#21

University of Providence

Great Falls, Montana
391 Total Awards
$27,606 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Providence did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. University of Providence is a private not-for-profit institution located in Great Falls, Montana. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 391 degrees in 2021-2022.

University of Providence undergraduate students pay an average of $27,606 in tuition and fees each year.

In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, University of Providence is ranked #2 for overall quality in the Rocky Mountains Region .

Full University of Providence Report

#22

Aims Community College

Greeley, Colorado
1,595 Total Awards
$10,850 Average Tuition & Fees

Aims Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Greeley, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,595 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Aims Community College are $10,850 a year.

Read full report on Aims Community College

#23

Colorado Mountain College

Glenwood Springs, Colorado
1,329 Total Awards
$11,820 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado Mountain College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Glenwood Springs, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,329 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado Mountain College are $11,820 per year.

Read full report on Colorado Mountain College

#25

Utah Valley University

Orem, Utah
15,351 Total Awards
$17,830 Average Tuition & Fees

Utah Valley University landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. UVU is a large public school situated in Orem, Utah. It awarded 15,351 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UVU are $17,830 per year.

In addition to its great value ranking, UVU is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list.

Full Utah Valley University Report

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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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