Ten Best U.S. Colleges for Value — Including One in Colorado

Michael Roberts March 22, 2016 6:35AM

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Colorado colleges often fail to score great grades on national surveys.

Last year, just two Colorado institutions made the top thirty in an NPR roster of premier U.S. colleges.

And in recent weeks, we noted that a ranking of America's best public colleges featured just one Colorado school in the top fifty.

So it's a pleasant surprise to discover the top-ten finish of a Colorado college in SmartAsset's new analysis of the schools offering the best value — those that most successfully balance expenses with student aid and starting salaries upon graduation.

Continue to see the photo-illustrated list, featuring SmartAsset data; note that the tuition figures are generally calculated to the charges for in-state students. That's followed by the complete methodology. For more information from SmartAsset, including an interactive map and more, click here.

Number 1: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

City: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Average scholarships and grants: $33,585

Average starting salary: $74,900

College tuition: $43,498

Student living costs: $15,522

Student retention rate: 99 percent

College Education Value Index: 100.00

Number 2: Harvey Mudd College

City: Claremont, California

Average scholarships and grants: $28,001

Average starting salary: $78,200

College tuition: $46,509

Student living costs: $17,351

Student retention rate: 97 percent

College Education Value Index: 94.51

Number 3: California Institute of Technology

City: Pasadena, California

Average scholarships and grants: $29,759

Average starting salary: $72,600

College tuition: $41,538

Student living costs: $17,217

Student retention rate: 97 percent

College Education Value Index: 91.03

Number 4: Georgia Institute of Technology — Main Campus

City: Atlanta, Georgia

Average scholarships and grants: $8,798

Average starting salary: $62,500

College tuition: $10,650

Student living costs: $12,734

Student retention rate: 96 percent

College Education Value Index: 88.05

Number 5: Stanford University

City: Stanford, California

Average scholarships and grants: $38,662

Average starting salary: $65,900

College tuition: $16,485

Student living costs: $17,066

Student retention rate: 94 percent

College Education Value Index: 86.07

Continue to keep counting down the ten best U.S. colleges for value, including one in Colorado.

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Michael Roberts has written for Westword since October 1990, serving stints as music editor and media columnist. He currently covers everything from breaking news and politics to sports and stories that defy categorization.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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