Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Utah Valley University at a Glance
Utah Valley University (UVU) is a public university in Orem, Utah, United States. UVU offers master's, bachelor's, associate degrees, and certificates. Previously called Utah Valley State College, the school attained university status in July 2008. With an enrollment of over 48,000 students as of fall 2025, UVU is the largest university by enrollment in Utah and one of the largest in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
1941
85 years old
$130M
$129.7 million (2025)
48,670
47,519 undergrad · 1,151 grad
Identity
Is Utah Valley University Worth It?
Utah Valley University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $6,376/year net price and $55,486 median earnings, graduates earn 8.7× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: Utah Valley University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Utah Valley University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in UT
Ranked #25 of 148 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-Long Beach | 100 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | California State University-Northridge | 100 | $7,021 | $59,115 |
| #25 | Utah Valley University | 94 | $6,376 | $55,486 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Utah Valley University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in UT.
Best Programs at Utah Valley University
The highest-earning program at Utah Valley University is Computer Science at $73,900/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is American Sign Language at $23,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from Utah Valley University earns $73,900, while a American Sign Language graduate earns $23,200. 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 $16,650 in median debt vs. $19,500 for American Sign Language.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,376/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 | $16,650 |
| Computer Engineering | $68,600 | $68,600 | $21,954 |
| Information Science/Studies | $64,800 | $64,800 | $23,464 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | $64,700 | $64,700 | $13,250 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | $58,700 | $58,700 | $22,374 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $53,900 | $53,900 | $16,872 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $52,800 | $52,800 | $11,750 |
| Fire Protection | $48,900 | $48,900 | $12,100 |
| Air Transportation | $48,500 | $48,500 | $26,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $48,100 | $48,100 | $15,750 |
| Marketing | $45,200 | $45,200 | $10,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $45,100 | $45,100 | $15,395 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $42,600 | $42,600 | $16,823 |
| Biotechnology | $40,100 | $40,100 | N/A |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $36,100 | $36,100 | $19,533 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,800 | $35,800 | $15,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $35,800 | $35,800 | $18,200 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,600 | $35,600 | $12,870 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $35,000 | $35,000 | $16,709 |
| History | $33,800 | $33,800 | $19,250 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $33,700 | $33,700 | $22,046 |
| Biology, General | $33,400 | $33,400 | $15,653 |
| Political Science and Government | $32,400 | $32,400 | $20,125 |
| Social Work | $31,300 | $31,300 | $17,800 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $29,300 | $29,300 | $14,653 |
| Psychology, General | $28,800 | $28,800 | $18,750 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $28,500 | $28,500 | $13,800 |
| Public Health | $26,400 | $26,400 | $14,800 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $25,600 | $25,600 | $18,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $25,500 | $25,500 | N/A |
| American Sign Language | $23,200 | $23,200 | $19,500 |
Similar Colleges in UT
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Orem, UT
- Student Body
- 28,453 students
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,376
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,486
- Median Student Debt
- $14,750