Westminster University
Salt Lake City, Utah · Private Nonprofit · 66.6% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 70/100 · Fair Value
Westminster University (Salt Lake City, UT) scores 70 (Fair Value) at a small private liberal arts institution with 823 students. Net price of $27,094 and sticker of $43,528 are high for a school with these outcomes: median 6-year earnings of $44,600 and an 8-year payback. Registered Nursing (57 graduates, $66,132 year-one) is the top-earning program and likely carries a disproportionate share of the school's aggregate earnings. Finance (17 graduates, $62,689 year-one, ROI grade B+) and Business Administration (16 graduates, $58,523 year-one) follow. Research Psychology (16 graduates, $35,127 year-one, ROI grade C) shows the lower end. Westminster's completion rate of 63.8% is below average. The school's Salt Lake City location gives graduates access to a growing tech and finance market (Goldman Sachs, Adobe, and many startups have significant SLC operations). However, the school's small size and limited alumni network may limit placement use.
Westminster University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $43,528/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $43,528/yr |
| Average net price | $27,094/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $108,376 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,215 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $44,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $22,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $236 |
| Estimated payback period | 8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 63.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 823 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Westminster University is $43,528/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $27,094/year, or roughly $108,376 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $22,972/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $30,417/year.
The median graduate leaves with $22,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $236 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $66,215 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.50 - 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 | $22,972 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,138 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,768 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,316 |
| $110,001+ | $30,417 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $22,972 per year -- higher than many comparable private schools offer at this income level. At $91,000 over four years for a low-income household, Westminster's aid commitment is limited relative to the school's mission positioning. Low-income students should compare University of Utah or Utah State (both public, far lower net price) before committing.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 30,001-48,000 bracket pays $24,138 and the 48,001-75,000 bracket drops to $21,768 -- a slight decrease that may reflect aid program structure. The 75,001-110,000 bracket rises to $25,316. Cost is relatively flat across middle income in the $22,000-$25,000 range, which means middle-income families see limited differentiation from the lowest bracket. Westminster offers limited income-sensitive aid by private school standards.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $30,417 per year. Against a 8-year payback and $44,600 median 6-year earnings, high-income families should have a clear major plan. Nursing or finance students paying $30,000/year can recover the investment; students in psychology or humanities face a difficult payback arithmetic.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Westminster University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $80,037 | B |
| Finance and Financial Management | $91,967 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $92,548 | B |
| Marketing | $68,786 | B |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $44,695 | C |
| Biology | $40,919 | C+ |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $37,735 | - |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $53,132 | - |
| Public Health | $58,974 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $59,676 | D |
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.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing (57 graduates) earns $66,132 year-one and $80,037 four-year, debt-to-earnings 0.406 (ROI grade B). Salt Lake City's healthcare market is growing rapidly -- Intermountain Health and University of Utah Health System are major employers creating sustained RN demand. The debt-to-earnings ratio is elevated by Westminster's private pricing: graduates borrow more than at in-state public programs but earn comparably. At $27,094 net price versus $66,132 year-one earnings, nursing graduates see acceptable but not exceptional personal ROI.
Finance and Financial Management
Finance (17 graduates, a small cohort) earns $62,689 year-one and $91,967 four-year, debt-to-earnings 0.288 (ROI grade B+). Salt Lake City's growing financial services sector -- including Goldman Sachs's large SLC operations center -- creates demand for finance graduates at every level. The four-year figure ($91,967) reflects advancement into senior financial analyst, portfolio, and corporate finance roles. Despite the small cohort, the ROI grade B+ and manageable debt-to-earnings ratio make this Westminster's cleanest financial story outside nursing.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration (16 graduates) earns $58,523 year-one and $92,548 four-year, debt-to-earnings 0.376 (ROI grade B). The four-year figure is the highest of any Westminster program -- suggesting strong advancement for business graduates in SLC's growing corporate and technology sector. Westminster's proximity to the growing Utah tech corridor (the Wasatch Front) and its small-campus networking environment may help compensate for the limited institutional brand power.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 77.0% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 82.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 78.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 82.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 66.6% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 530-640 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 540-670 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 23-29 |
| Enrollment | 823 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.5% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,756 |
Westminster admits 66.6% of applicants with SAT Math 530-640, ACT 23-29. The moderate admission rate combined with a private sticker price means Westminster competes with Utah public schools (University of Utah, Utah State) for students who want small-campus culture. The school's LDS heritage is present but not exclusive.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Westminster's Scorecard peers include Brigham Young University, Western Governors University, Menlo College, Wabash College, and Christ College of Nursing. BYU is the dominant regional competitor: its much larger scale, LDS affiliated tuition structure, and strong national outcomes make Westminster a secondary choice for most Utah LDS students. Western Governors is a different model entirely (online, competency-based, very low cost). Among the smaller private peers, Westminster's earnings and ROI are competitive with Menlo and Wabash but not distinguishing. The school's SLC location is its clearest differentiating asset.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westminster University (this school) | 70 | $27,094 | $66,215 |
| Brigham Young University | 94 | $15,564 | $75,790 |
| Western Governors University | 75 | $12,548 | $60,615 |
| Wabash College | 72 | $24,336 | $69,952 |
| Menlo College | 71 | $31,100 | $76,419 |
| The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 70 | $18,378 | $68,303 |
Who Thrives Here
Westminster admits 66.6% of applicants with SAT Math 530-640, ACT 23-29 -- moderately selective for a small private school. With a 24.5% Pell rate, the school is primarily a middle-income institution. Students who thrive have a clear professional major (nursing, finance, or business) and want a small-campus experience near Salt Lake City. At $27,094 net price, students need to choose high-earning programs to justify the cost relative to in-state public alternatives.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Westminster University offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $27,094 per year leads to $108,376 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $66,215 a decade out. The payback period of 8 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
The data highlights several strengths: high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $22,250 against $66,215 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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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.