Southern Utah University vs University of Utah
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +34% | +256% |
| 10-year net gain | $15,567 | $183,416 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $51,197 | $70,514 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $41,071 | $59,749 |
| Average net price | $10,462 | $16,200 |
| Median debt | $12,500 | $19,000 |
| Break-even | 7.5 yrs | 2.8 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 61% | 65% |
| Admission rate | 82% | 86% |
Southern Utah University
Break-even
+$15,567 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
University of Utah
Strong return
+$183,416 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.