University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah · Public · 86.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 84/100 · Strong Value
University of Utah
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $9,620/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $30,860/yr |
| Average net price | $16,200/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $64,800 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,170 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $47,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $201 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 65.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 27,264 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,123 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,424 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,246 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,663 |
| $110,001+ | $21,533 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Utah with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $39,661 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,309 | B |
| Biology | $62,950 | C+ |
| Computer Science | $137,329 | A |
| Economics | $84,146 | B+ |
| Registered Nursing | $86,243 | B+ |
| Finance and Financial Management | $100,793 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $81,252 | B |
| Marketing | $83,511 | B |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,127 | B+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Utah is $9,620/year ($30,860/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,200/year, or roughly $64,800 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,123/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $21,533/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $201 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $67,170 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.40 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 77.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 83.0% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 86.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 590-690 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-690 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-29 |
| Enrollment | 27,264 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 19.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,776 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Utah (this school) | 84 | $16,200 | $67,170 |
| San Jose State University | 91 | $13,760 | $78,988 |
| George Mason University | 86 | $17,915 | $76,343 |
| Washington State University | 84 | $14,971 | $68,905 |
| California State University-Sacramento | 83 | $9,338 | $64,876 |
| Iowa State University | 79 | $18,589 | $63,386 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Utah delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $16,200 per year ($64,800 over four years), graduates earn a median of $67,170 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.4 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $19,000 is very manageable against $67,170 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.