University of Utah
University of Utah — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Utah at a Glance
The University of Utah is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. It was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest institution of higher education. The university received its current name in 1892, four years before Utah attained statehood, and moved to its current location in 1900. It is the flagship university of the Utah System of Higher Education.
1850
176 years old
$2.1B
$2.07 billion ( FY 2025)
36,881
28,064 undergrad · 8,817 grad
4,463
1,534 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Utah
Official admissions pageDecember 1 (Early Action)
$55
Fee waiver available
Testing policy
Fee waiver
Is University of Utah Worth It?
University of Utah delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $16,200/year, it's priced 21% below average, while graduates go on to earn $67,170 — 25% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 64% graduation rate means roughly 36% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Utah compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in UT
Ranked #21 of 53 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #3 | California State University-Fullerton | 100 | $6,555 | $62,951 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #21 | University of Utah | 67 | $16,200 | $67,170 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Utah's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in UT.
Best Programs at University of Utah
The highest-earning program at University of Utah is Computer Science at $73,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Film/Video and Photographic Arts at $23,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Utah earns $73,900, while a Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduate earns $23,000. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $20,000 in median debt vs. $20,000 for Film/Video and Photographic Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,200/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $73,900 | $73,900 | $20,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $67,000 | $67,000 | $20,846 |
| Chemical Engineering | $64,800 | $64,800 | $17,441 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $63,400 | $63,400 | $15,000 |
| Information Science/Studies | $63,200 | $63,200 | $20,761 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,800 | $61,800 | $18,495 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $57,600 | $57,600 | $12,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,100 | $55,100 | $15,703 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $50,600 | $50,600 | $17,371 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,600 | $48,600 | $17,000 |
| Marketing | $43,100 | $43,100 | $17,500 |
| Economics | $41,800 | $41,800 | $15,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $39,500 | $39,500 | $24,548 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,300 | $38,300 | $16,212 |
| Music | $36,700 | $36,700 | $21,500 |
| International/Global Studies | $35,700 | $35,700 | $13,539 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,300 | $35,300 | $19,799 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,800 | $34,800 | $20,035 |
| Public Health | $33,200 | $33,200 | $20,000 |
| Chemistry | $32,400 | $32,400 | $16,806 |
| Social Sciences, General | $31,800 | $31,800 | $16,500 |
| Biology, General | $30,500 | $30,500 | $23,583 |
| Psychology, General | $30,300 | $30,300 | $18,775 |
| Sociology | $30,000 | $30,000 | $18,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,000 | $28,000 | $16,414 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,500 | $27,500 | $21,158 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,000 | $27,000 | $19,250 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $25,600 | $25,600 | $15,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $25,200 | $25,200 | $16,381 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $23,000 | $23,000 | $20,000 |
Similar Colleges in UT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Salt Lake City, UT
- Student Body
- 27,264 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 64%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,200
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $67,170
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000