California State University-Fullerton vs University of Utah
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
California State University-Fullerton holds a 4-point ROI advantage over University of Utah, scoring 88/100 versus 84/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State University-Fullerton comes in at $6,555 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,200 at University of Utah - a difference of $9,645 annually, or roughly $38,580 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Utah graduates earn a median of $67,170 compared to $62,951 at California State University-Fullerton. The payback period is 5.9 years at California State University-Fullerton versus 6.4 years at University of Utah.
Graduates leave California State University-Fullerton with a median $13,750 in debt versus $19,000 at University of Utah. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.36 and 0.40 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California State Universi... | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,470 | $9,620 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,070 | $30,860 |
| Net Price (avg) | $6,555 | $16,200 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $26,220 | $64,800 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $38,500 | $47,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,951 | $67,170 |
| Graduation Rate | 70.2% | 65.0% |
| Payback Period | 5.9 yr | 6.4 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $13,750 | $19,000 |
| Monthly Payment | $146 | $201 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.36 | 0.40 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 76.6% | 81.3% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 72.9% | 77.0% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 90.5% | 86.0% |
| Enrollment | 38,546 | 27,264 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California State Uni... | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $3,315 | $13,123 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $4,123 | $13,424 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $6,090 | $14,246 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $8,930 | $17,663 |
| $110,001+ | $15,631 | $21,533 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California State Uni... | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $87,460 | $137,329 |
| Registered Nursing | $119,353 | $86,243 |
| Computer Engineering | $101,408 | $114,197 |
| Information Science | $76,482 | $105,127 |
| Civil Engineering | $95,854 | $85,097 |
| Electrical Engineering | $92,618 | $91,361 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $86,808 | $91,127 |
| Physics | $86,504 | $77,158 |
| Economics | $71,595 | $84,146 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $71,646 | $81,252 |
| Mathematics | $80,055 | $71,059 |
| Chemistry | $64,857 | $71,276 |
| International Relations | $53,966 | $68,490 |
| Romance Languages | $47,581 | $64,568 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $51,787 | $64,356 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Uni... | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 98 | 89 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 89 | 87 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 91 | 87 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 78 | 69 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 60 | 74 |
| Overall ROI Score | 88 | 84 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California State University-Fullerton edges out University of Utah by 4 points (88 vs 84), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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California State University-Fullerton
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
University of Utah
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.