University of Utah vs Iowa State University
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
University of Utah holds a 5-point ROI advantage over Iowa State University, scoring 84/100 versus 79/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of Utah comes in at $16,200 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,589 at Iowa State University - a difference of $2,389 annually, or roughly $9,556 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Utah graduates earn a median of $67,170 compared to $63,386 at Iowa State University. The payback period is 6.4 years at University of Utah versus 7.6 years at Iowa State University.
Graduates leave University of Utah with a median $19,000 in debt versus $22,869 at Iowa State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.40 and 0.52 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Utah | Iowa State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,620 | $10,787 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $30,860 | $28,881 |
| Net Price (avg) | $16,200 | $18,589 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $64,800 | $74,356 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $47,200 | $44,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $67,170 | $63,386 |
| Graduation Rate | 65.0% | 75.3% |
| Payback Period | 6.4 yr | 7.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,000 | $22,869 |
| Monthly Payment | $201 | $242 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.40 | 0.52 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 81.3% | 84.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 77.0% | 78.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 86.0% | 88.7% |
| Enrollment | 27,264 | 25,367 |
| SAT Range | 1190-1380 | 1120-1360 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Utah | Iowa State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $13,123 | $10,582 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,424 | $11,506 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $14,246 | $15,463 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $17,663 | $19,605 |
| $110,001+ | $21,533 | $22,496 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Utah | Iowa State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $137,329 | $104,211 |
| Computer Engineering | $114,197 | $105,753 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $100,793 | $75,360 |
| Electrical Engineering | $91,361 | $99,705 |
| Chemical Engineering | $98,215 | $92,773 |
| Accounting | $94,253 | $70,706 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,127 | $85,938 |
| Civil Engineering | $85,097 | $85,427 |
| Economics | $84,146 | $75,355 |
| Marketing | $83,511 | $66,482 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $81,252 | $78,304 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $75,686 | $69,673 |
| Chemistry | $71,276 | $66,486 |
| Mathematics | $71,059 | $62,261 |
| Architecture | $67,987 | $69,310 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Utah | Iowa State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 89 | 80 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 87 | 79 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 87 | 69 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 69 | 85 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 74 | 84 |
| Overall ROI Score | 84 | 79 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Utah edges out Iowa State University by 5 points (84 vs 79), 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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University of Utah
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Iowa State University
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.