University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah · Public · 86.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 84/100 · Strong Value
The University of Utah scores 84 (Strong Value) on CampusROI, anchored by $47,200 median 6-year earnings, a 6.4-year payback period, and in-state tuition of $9,620. At 27,264 students, the U is the flagship research university of Utah and one of the larger institutions in the Mountain West. Net price of $16,200 reflects the combination of in-state tuition and aid. Median debt of $19,000 is moderate. The completion rate of 65.1% is the primary drag on the score -- roughly one in three students does not finish, which limits who benefits from the institution's otherwise solid outcomes. Computer Science is the top earnings program: 226 graduates, $90,282 year-one, $137,329 year-four, ROI grade A. Computer Engineering (41 graduates, $89,605 year-one, $114,197 year-four, A) and Registered Nursing (210 graduates, $69,565 year-one, $86,243 year-four, B+) are the next anchors. The university's program breadth -- 45+ programs with Scorecard data -- means outcomes vary widely. STEM and business programs cluster in the B+ to A range; arts, humanities, and social science programs frequently carry C or D grades. The 49.6% earnings premium score indicates U of Utah graduates earn roughly 49.6% more than the local baseline, which is solid for a flagship.
University of Utah scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of Utah
Quick 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).
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.
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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $13,123 net price per year -- $52,492 over four years. At the $9,620 in-state tuition baseline, this reflects room, board, and living costs beyond tuition. Against $47,200 median 6-year earnings and a 6.4-year payback, the value case for low-income in-state students is solid. The 19.6% Pell rate indicates meaningful access. The completion rate gap (65.1%) is the primary financial risk: students who do not finish carry debt without the earnings to offset it.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $14,246 per year -- close to the lowest bracket, reflecting the in-state tuition anchor keeping costs flat. The 75001-110000 bracket pays $17,663. Middle-income Utah residents receive a strong value proposition: $14,000-$18,000 per year for a flagship research university with A-grade engineering and CS programs. The payback period of 6.4 years is the relevant benchmark for this group.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning over $110,000 pay $21,533 per year -- about $86,000 over four years. For out-of-state families, the $30,860 sticker tuition changes the math: net price would be higher. High-income in-state families face a compelling cost-to-outcome ratio, particularly for STEM programs where year-one earnings near $90,000 create sub-three-year payback periods in CS and engineering. Out-of-state full-pay is less compelling against in-state alternatives in those students' home states.
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.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science is the U of Utah's top ROI program: 226 graduates, $90,282 year-one, $137,329 year-four, ROI grade A, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.221. Median debt of $19,947 is modest against those earnings. Salt Lake City's growing tech sector and proximity to Silicon Slopes provide direct pipeline opportunities. The year-one figure of $90,282 is competitive with any flagship in the Mountain West. The four-year trajectory to $137,329 indicates graduates capture the tech wage premium well.
Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering (41 graduates) earns $89,605 year-one and $114,197 year-four, ROI grade A, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.216. The metrics closely parallel Computer Science but with a hardware and systems focus. The A-grade debt-to-earnings ratio on $19,375 median debt against near-$90k year-one earnings is among the strongest outcomes in this dataset. Computer Engineering graduates have strong placement in semiconductor, defense, and tech companies operating in Utah's corridor.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is the largest health program at 210 graduates. Year-one earnings of $69,565 and year-four of $86,243 reflect Utah's competitive healthcare market. Median debt of $22,106 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.318 (ROI grade B+) make this one of the stronger nursing ROIs in the Mountain West. The combination of in-state tuition, moderate debt, and licensed healthcare placement is compelling. Nursing graduates from the U have direct access to one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the country.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (207 graduates) earns $68,066 year-one and $100,793 year-four with median debt of $18,850 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.277 (ROI grade B+). The Eccles School of Business finance track produces graduates who enter banking, investment management, and corporate finance in the Intermountain region. The year-four figure breaking $100,000 reflects career advancement and the strong business network in Salt Lake City's financial services sector.
Economics
Economics (221 graduates) earns $64,386 year-one and $84,146 year-four, with median debt of $16,642 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.258 (ROI grade B+). Economics is a volume program with solid but not spectacular earnings -- the year-four figure of $84,146 suggests graduates entering business analysis, policy, and graduate school. The low median debt of $16,642 (below the institutional median) is a positive outlier that improves the program's financial profile.
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 |
With an 86% admission rate, the University of Utah is broadly accessible for Utah residents and many out-of-state applicants. The SAT 590-690 Math and 600-690 Reading ranges describe the median admitted student, but admitted ranges are wide. ACT 22-29 is the composite benchmark. The relatively open admission profile means that student success and completion -- not admission -- is the critical variable. Students in the upper range of the admitted SAT/ACT profile should look at the honors program and research opportunities to ensure they find an appropriately challenging academic environment.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
University of Utah's Scorecard peer schools include George Mason University, Washington State University, San Jose State University, Iowa State University, and Cal State Sacramento. Among those comparables, the U of Utah's 84 ROI score and 6.4-year payback are competitive. George Mason and Iowa State are close peers on overall ROI. The U of Utah's CS and engineering program outcomes are stronger than most of these peers, driven by the Silicon Slopes tech corridor. The completion rate of 65.1% is a relative weakness versus Iowa State (~74%) and George Mason (~74%). The in-state tuition of $9,620 is competitive with public flagships in the Mountain West.
| 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 |
Who Thrives Here
University of Utah admits 86% of applicants, placing it in the broad-access tier despite flagship status. SAT mid-ranges are 590-690 Math and 600-690 Reading; ACT 22-29 composite. Pell rate of 19.6% is moderate for a public flagship. The 27,264-student enrollment creates a large-university experience with substantial variation in faculty accessibility. Students who self-direct their education and take advantage of research, honors, and internship programs available at a research university will extract significantly more value than the median completion rate suggests. Utah's Salt Lake City location gives STEM and business graduates proximity to a growing tech and biotech sector.
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.
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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.