Also known as the Rockies, the Rocky Mountain region of the United States is breathtaking – and plenty of outstanding colleges and universities call the mountains and the valleys home. For this 25 best colleges in the Rocky Mountains list, we’ve included: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.
Top 25 Best Colleges in the Rocky Mountain Region
The first class of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy graduated in 1959. This class selected a falcon as their mascot to embody speed, power, and courage – all characteristics incoming cadets will need to demonstrate. The Academy accepts 14% of applicants, and 94% of students will stay at the school after they complete their first year.
Location
USAF Academy, CO
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
4,085
“Scientia et disciplina'' is the Latin motto of Colorado College which means “knowledge and skill.” Today, the school has over 80 majors and sits on a 90 acre campus. The college is highly selective – only 16% of applicants are accepted, but it is free to apply. The master’s degree is the highest level of education offered by Colorado College.
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,203
The programs offered at Colorado School of Mines are all focused on energy and environment, so all available majors are in STEM fields. The Orediggers are led on by their mascots Marvin the Miner and Blaster the Burro. Wearing blue and silver, they compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference of the NCAA Division II.
Location
Golden, CO
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
7,403
The University of Denver is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain Region. The 125 acre campus is host to an arboretum, historic buildings, and Evans Memorial Chapel. The university accepts 77% of applicants and many will go on to major in Finance. Other popular majors include Psychology, Marketing, and Speech Communications.
Location
Denver, CO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
13,734
The Boulder campus is the flagship school of the University of Colorado system. It was actually founded a few months before Colorado became a state in 1876. Athletes, called the Buffaloes, are part of the Pacific-12 Conference. They’ve won 28 national championships (a majority in skiing) and 10 athletes have gone on to be Olympic medalists.
Location
Boulder, CO
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
39,585
Exercise Physiology, Accounting, and finance are the top three most popular majors at BYU Provo. Though the Provo campus is the main location for the university, there are two additional satellite campuses - one in Salt Lake City and one in Jerusalem, Israel. There is a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio at BYU Provo.
Location
Provo, UT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
34,464
The flagship university of Colorado, CSU’s mascot is Cam the Ram. Popular sports on campus include track, basketball, and football, among others. Business Administration and Management is by far the most popular major at the school. There is a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an acceptance rate of 90%.
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
33,403
A doctor’s degree is the highest level of education offered at Westminster College. That said, only 24% of students on campus study at the graduate level. They have a good student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1 and a first-year retention rate of 75%. Students come from all over the country to attend Westminster. In fact, only 53% of freshmen are Utah natives.
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,280
The University of Utah’s campus is nestled between the mountains and the Great Salt Lake. Of all students on campus, 75% study at the undergraduate level and the remaining 25% are graduate students. About 56% of the current first-year class calls Utah home, though many other students come from California, Colorado, and Idaho.
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
34,734
Though the school seal features two lions, Carroll College’s mascot is actually a St. Bernard named Halo. Student athletes compete as the Fighting Saints in sports like track, basketball, and soccer. The campus is located near Mt. Helena. Registered Nursing is the most popular major, followed by Health Services/Health Sciences and Biology.
Location
Helena, MT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,168
NSA is a liberal arts college founded in 1994 with a Protestant religious affiliation. The school has an 83% acceptance rate and about 79% of students will receive some sort of grant aid. A liberal Arts and Culture degree is the only offering here, however students can add a Certificate of Music in conjunction with the BA.
Location
Moscow, ID
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
294
The College of Idaho is the oldest private liberal arts college in the state. The school offers up to a master’s degree, and graduates have gone onto impressive careers in business, politics, law, and sports. The acceptance rate is just above 45% and the school does not charge students to apply.
Location
Caldwell, ID
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,082
Colorado Christian University has an incredibly high acceptance rate - over 94%. Unlike many schools who use Latin in their school mottos, CCU takes inspiration from the Greeks. “χαρις και αληθεια” translates to mean “Grace and Truth.” Registered Nursing, Business Administration, and Applied Psychology are the top majors pursued.
Location
Lakewood, CO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
8,964
Though presently located in Denver, this school actually started over in Las Vegas, Nevada. It also went through quite a few name changes before settling on Regis University. Nowadays, there is a near 50/50 split between undergraduate and graduate students studying on campus. Blue and gold are the official school colors.
Location
Denver, CO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
4,668
Offering free applications and institutional grants to every student, Northwest Nazarene University has an 88% acceptance rate, 13 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 72% first year retention rate. NNU has over 60 majors available to undergraduates; many study Registered Nursing and Business Administration and Management.
Location
Nampa, ID
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,778
“A Legacy of Leading” is the motto of the University of Idaho. The athletic teams are known as the Vandals and they compete in sports such as tennis, golf, football, and basketball. 61% of incoming students call Idaho home, though many other students come from nearby Washington, California, and Oregon.
Location
Moscow, ID
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
11,507
One of the youngest colleges in America, the Neumont College of Computer Science was founded in 2003. The school offers 5 total undergraduate majors: Computer Programming, Network and System Administration, Information Technology Project Management, Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design, and Modeling, Virtual Environment, and Simulation Modeling.
Location
Salt Lake City, UT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
517
“Mountains and Minds” is the motto of this university; an apt phrase for a school located near several mountain peaks. Business, Registered Nursing, Family and Consumer Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Psychology are the top five most popular majors. The school receives over 28,000 applications a year and accepts about 73% of students.
Location
Bozeman, MT
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
16,681
Utah State University is both a land-grant and space-grant school. Economics, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education, and Psychology are the top five most popular majors at USU. 70% of the incoming class call Utah home and the school has a 74% first year retention rate.
Location
Logan, UT
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
27,943
Montana Technological University’s motto of “De Re Metallica” (“Of the metals”) pays homage to the school’s original name - the Montana School of Mines. In fact, the school’s seal features mining tools as well. Green and copper are the official school colors of the Montana Tech Orediggers.
Location
Butte, MT
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,625
Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado University is a liberal arts school. In addition to over 100 areas of study, the school offers a unique outdoor research laboratory for students. Western has a 16 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 77% first year retention rate. While Business Administration is the most popular major, Biology, Kinesiology, and Environmental Studies are also highly sought after.
Location
Gunnison, CO
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
3,548
Also known as UNC, the university’s motto is Sapientia in aeternum est or “Wisdom is eternal.” 96% of the students at UNC receive institutional aid to help pay for their tuition costs. Klawz the Bear is the school's mascot, and their colors are navy blue and gold. Notable alumni of UNC include musicians, champion athletes, politicians, and more.
Location
Greeley, CO
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
9,380
Located along the Clark Fork River, the University of Montana’s student body is 73% undergraduates and 27% graduate students. The school has an incredibly high acceptance rate of 95%. Management Information Systems, Psychology, and Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management are the most popular majors at UM. “Lux et Veritas” is the school motto, which translates to mean “Light and Truth.”
Location
Missoula, MT
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
9,955
The University of Wyoming is one of the rare schools that features a live animal mascot - a horse named Cowboy Joe. Another mascot, Pistol Pete, is played by a student in costume. Brown and gold are the official school colors. Also known as UW, the university is a land-grant, space-grant, and public flagship school.
Location
Laramie, WY
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
11,100
Boise State University’s campus is located on the Boise River. A whopping 88% of students on campus study at the undergraduate level, though the school offers up to the doctor’s degree. Registered Nursing is by far the most popular major, followed by Business/Commerce and Psychology.
Location
Boise, ID
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
26,115
State Grant Aid in the Rocky Mountains
Affording college can be a scary prospect for students and their families, but there are options available. Many states, including those in the Southeast United States, offer financial aid in the form of grants and scholarships to its students. You may have to currently live in the state to qualify, but if you’re interested in learning more about these opportunities that could save you thousands, start with our State Grants Guide here.
Why is the Rocky Mountain Region a Great Place to Go to School?
The Rocky Mountains are home to some of the most stunning scenery you can find in the United States, making it an excellent place to go to school and enjoy the outdoors in your free time.
From the Zion National Park in Utah to the Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, you will never run out of amazing places to visit, hike, and explore. Each park in these states offers something unique to visitors. And it’s sure to be something you remember for the rest of your life. These areas can also provide great additional educational opportunities if you’re studying natural sciences!
When it comes to the cities, too, there’s plenty to do. Denver in particular hosts amazing restaurants, museums, and more to visitors. The other cities in the region are home to botanical gardens, theme parks, zoos, historic sites, and much more.
Colleges on this list offer outstanding undergraduate academic programs (with many also offering top-notch graduate programs and doctorates). With stunning landscapes in the background, it’s an excellent area to go to school and earn your bachelor’s degree. Start building your best colleges for FREE.
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
College Raptor is uniquely qualified to estimate college affordability as we are a leading provider of net price calculators to colleges across the U.S. Check out College Raptor’s free match tool to see if your favorite college is affordable for you.
