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Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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2023 Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

59 Schools Ranked

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Grad Degree Search has created its Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. This report analyzed 59 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region to see which ones were the most popular master's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, Utah
22,759 Total Awards
$7,790 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Western Governors University to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a master’s degree in the Rocky Mountains Region . This large private not-for-profit school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 22,759 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

WGU is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Western Governors University Report

#2

University of Denver

Denver, Colorado
2,390 Total Awards
$53,943 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent master’s degree programs at University of Denver helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in the Rocky Mountains Region . DU is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 2,390 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at DU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 84% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Denver

#3

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
2,283 Total Awards
$8,068 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of Utah is a great place for students working on their master’s degree. University of Utah is a large public school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 2,283 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.

U of U does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 68% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of Utah Report

2,029 Total Awards
$8,052 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 59 schools in the Rocky Mountains Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus landed the # 4 spot on the list. CU Anschutz is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2,029 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CU Anschutz does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 75% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

#5

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
1,745 Total Awards
$13,901 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means University of Colorado Boulder is a great place for students working on their master’s degree. CU - Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,745 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.

CU - Boulder does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 62% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

1,650 Total Awards
$13,313 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #6, Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Colorado State is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,650 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.

Colorado State does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 67% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Colorado State University - Fort Collins Report

1,623 Total Awards
$14,312 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region ranking. Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,623 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Report

#8

Colorado State University - Global Campus

Greenwood Village, Colorado
1,473 Total Awards

Colorado State University - Global Campus landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. Colorado State University - Global Campus is a public institution located in Greenwood Village, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,473 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Colorado State University - Global Campus is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

#9

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho
1,075 Total Awards
$9,638 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Boise State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Boise, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 1,075 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Boise State. During the 2019-2020 year, about 80% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Boise State University Report

#10

Regis University

Denver, Colorado
996 Total Awards
$15,079 Average Tuition & Fees

Regis University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree 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 996 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Regis U does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Regis University Report

#11

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
993 Total Awards
$7,366 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Utah State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. USU is a public institution located in Logan, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 993 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since USU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 52% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

961 Total Awards

Brigham Young University - Provo ranked #12 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. BYU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Provo, Utah. It awarded 961 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 43% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at BYU. In 2019-2020 about 72% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Brigham Young University - Provo

#13

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
893 Total Awards
$13,366 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Northern Colorado did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large public school located in Greeley, Colorado that handed out 893 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at University of Northern Colorado. In fact, around 81% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Northern Colorado

#14

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, Colorado
569 Total Awards

With a ranking of #14, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. UCCS is a public institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 569 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UCCS does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 58% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#15

Southern Utah University

Cedar City, Utah
511 Total Awards
$8,294 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Utah University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. Southern Utah University is a fairly large public school located in Cedar City, Utah that handed out 511 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Southern Utah University. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#16

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
465 Total Awards
$6,892 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, The University of Montana did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. The University of Montana is a fairly large public school located in Missoula, Montana that handed out 465 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UM does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 19% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on The University of Montana

#17

University of Idaho

Moscow, Idaho
464 Total Awards
$9,912 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Idaho did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Moscow, Idaho is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 464 students in 2020-2021.

Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at U of I, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#18

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, Colorado
456 Total Awards
$19,532 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado School of Mines landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. Mines is a public institution located in Golden, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 456 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 29% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Mines, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 21% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Colorado School of Mines

#19

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho
452 Total Awards
$10,324 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #19, Idaho State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Pocatello, Idaho is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 452 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at ISU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#20

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
446 Total Awards
$6,859 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wyoming ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Laramie, Wyoming is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 446 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.

UW does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of Wyoming

#21

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
408 Total Awards
$6,805 Average Tuition & Fees

Montana State University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Bozeman, Montana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 408 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at MSU Bozeman, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Montana State University Report

#22

Adams State University

Alamosa, Colorado
400 Total Awards
$9,853 Average Tuition & Fees

Adams State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Adams State University is a small public school located in Alamosa, Colorado that handed out 400 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Adams State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 97% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Adams State University Report

372 Total Awards
$10,364 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #23, Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 372 students in 2020-2021.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

MSU Denver does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 50% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Metropolitan State University of Denver Report

#24

Colorado Christian University

Lakewood, Colorado
330 Total Awards
$14,626 Average Tuition & Fees

Colorado Christian University ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Lakewood, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 330 students in 2020-2021.

Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at CCU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#25

Weber State University

Ogden, Utah
294 Total Awards
$8,647 Average Tuition & Fees

Weber State University ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region list. Located in Ogden, Utah, the large public school awarded 294 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

One thing to take note of is that WSU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

View Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

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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