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Utah school profile

University of UtahUSHE

Salt Lake City, Utah · USHE public

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Compare with other schools (up to three)


InputCost to start

Net price$13K$0–$30,000 families
In-state tuition$10KPublished sticker price
ThroughputWho finishes

Finish on time65.0%Within 150% of expected time
Return for year 286.2%Full-time freshmen
OutputPay and debt

Typical pay$55KAbout 6 years after starting
Debt vs. 10-yr pay21%Median federal debt ÷ median pay 10 yrs after starting

What we see in the data

At the University of Utah, net price is what families actually pay after grants and scholarships. For families in the $0–$30,000 income band, that was about $13K per year, higher than the median among USHE four-year colleges in Utah ($10K), and lower than the median among colleges nationwide ($15K).

Finish on time means completing within the normal time frame for the degree (for example, six years for a four-year bachelor's degree). About 65% of students finished on time, higher than the median among USHE four-year colleges in Utah (53%), and higher than the median among colleges nationwide (58%). That is lower than the 86% of full-time freshmen who returned for year 2.

Typical pay six years after starting was about $55K, higher than the median among USHE four-year colleges in Utah ($46K), and higher than the median among colleges nationwide ($36K). Graduates who borrowed had a median of about $14K in federal loan debt at graduation, higher than the median among USHE four-year colleges in Utah ($9K), and higher than the median among colleges nationwide ($10K). Ten years after starting, typical pay was about $67K; median federal debt was about 21% of that pay (College Scorecard affordability signal — not ED's program score).

Pell students finished on time at a lower rate (58%) than the school-wide average (65%) — see Who attends below.

Utah payroll records show typical pay of about $70K one year after finishing, higher than the $55K school-wide figure measured six years after starting. About 67% of bachelor's degree graduates had a job in Utah one year after finishing.

How to read these numbers

Pathways & Outcomes compares each school to Utah and national pathway medians using federal and state data. Numbers are school-wide averages — not every major or program. Small graduating classes may be hidden for privacy. Apprenticeships and some trade programs are not included.

Compared to Utah & national medians

Full comparison to medians among Utah colleges and colleges nationwide that report each measure in College Scorecard (not enrollment-weighted).

Measure This school Utah median US median vs medians
Net price ($0–$30k families) $13K $17K $15K Below Utah · Below US
Finish on time 65.0% 71.4% 58.3% Below Utah · Above US
Typical pay (6 yrs after starting) $55K $34K $36K Above Utah · Above US
Typical pay ÷ net price (6 yrs) 4.2× 1.7× 2.5× Above Utah · Above US
Median federal debt at graduation $14K $8K $10K Above Utah · Above US
Debt vs. 10-yr pay 21% 26% 26% Below Utah · Below US
Return for year 2 (full-time) 86.2% 69.4% 75.7% Above Utah · Above US

Headline comparisons

Cost, completion, and pay — the three measures families ask about most — charted against the same medians.

Net price
$0–$30k families · annual

University of Utah

$13K

Utah median

$17K

US median

$15K

Lower is better for families.

Finish on time
Within 150% of expected time

University of Utah

65.0%

Utah median

71.4%

US median

58.3%

Typical pay
Six years after starting

University of Utah

$55K

Utah median

$34K

US median

$36K

Source: College Scorecard · institution medians (not enrollment-weighted). Net price uses the lowest reported income band when schools publish multiple tiers. Pay ÷ net price compares typical earnings six years after starting to one year of net price (above 1× means pay exceeds that cost).

Costs & aid

High school concurrent enrollment

High School University Program (HSUP) — Earn transcripted college credit in 1000–2000 level courses—including general education—before applying as a freshman.

Systemwide CE attainment is documented in Part 1 (USHE R5), separate from Scorecard completion on this profile.

Net price by family income

What full-time undergraduates actually paid per year after grants and scholarships, by family income band (federal College Scorecard).

Family income Net price
$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

Published costs

Published sticker prices where reported. Net price bands above show what families typically paid after aid.

Component Amount
Published tuition & fees (in-state) $9,620
Published tuition & fees (out-of-state) $30,860
Total cost of attendance $25,557
Room & board $12,398
Books & supplies $1,240

Affordability & loans

Federal loan outcomes from College Scorecard. Does not include Parent PLUS or private loans. Repayment rates describe historical cohorts, not a guarantee for future students.

Measure Value
Median debt ÷ median pay (10 yrs after starting) 21%
Share earning at least $25K (6 yrs after starting) 72.7%
Share earning at least $25K (10 yrs after starting) 79.8%
Borrowers repaying any principal (3 yrs) 71.8%

Part 8: debt vs. earnings

Who attends

Enrollment & context

Measure Value
Undergraduate enrollment 27,264
Enrolled full-time 77.9%
Enrolled part-time 22.1%
Students receiving Pell grants 19.6%
First-generation college students 29.4%
Median family income of students $39K
Students who borrowed federal loans 20.5%
First-year retention (full-time) 86.2%
Acceptance rate 86.0%
Student–faculty ratio 19.0:1

Student body shares

Shares of undergraduate students by gender and race/ethnicity (federal College Scorecard). These describe who enrolls — not completion or pay by group.

Gender

Group Share of undergraduates
Women 48.0%
Men 52.0%

Race & ethnicity

Group Share of undergraduates
Two or more races 6.1%
International students 5.4%

Outcomes for Pell & first-generation students

Pell grant recipients are a proxy for lower family income; first-generation students are those whose parents did not complete a bachelor's degree. Compare each row to the school-wide figures above — not every student matches these groups.

Measure Value
Finish on time (Pell students) 57.8%
Finish on time (all students) 65.0%
Median federal debt (Pell students) $16K
Median federal debt (first-generation students) $14K
Median federal debt (all borrowers) $14K
Borrowers repaying any principal (3 yrs, Pell) 69.0%
Borrowers repaying any principal (3 yrs, non-Pell) 78.1%
Borrowers repaying any principal (3 yrs, first-generation) 70.0%
Borrowers repaying any principal (3 yrs, not first-generation) 72.6%

After graduation: jobs and pay

For Utah public colleges, the state tracks graduates who work in Utah using payroll records employers file with the Department of Workforce Services. The U.S. Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) study links college transcripts to jobs nationwide. Utah sections show in-state pay and employment; Census sections show national pay, how many graduates stay in Utah, and common industries. Groups with fewer than 10 graduates are hidden for privacy.

Working in Utah (state data)

Pay and employment for graduates found in Utah wage records. Wage figures include only graduates with reported earnings. USHE dashboard.

Measure Value
Typical annual pay (1 year after graduating, Utah only) $69,947
Lower end (25th percentile) $48,338
Higher end (75th percentile) $94,221
Program groups counted 1,961

Share of graduates employed in Utah about one year after finishing (Utah payroll records; excludes federal employers and graduates who left the state).

Credential type Share employed in Utah
Certificate · about 1 year after graduating 72.4%
Bachelor's Degree · about 1 year after graduating 66.6%
Master's Degree · about 1 year after graduating 70.3%
Doctorate Degree · about 1 year after graduating 44.5%
Professional Practice · about 1 year after graduating 48.4%

How pay changes after graduating (Utah)

Change in annual wages from one year before graduation to one or five years after, for graduates working in Utah. Shown by broad program area. Graduating class: 2023-24 Graduated.

Program area Pay change
Legal Professions and Studies $43,871 (1 yr) · $87,091 (5 yr)
Computer and Information Sciences $31,610 (1 yr) · $57,611 (5 yr)
Business, Management, and Marketing $19,282 (1 yr) · $54,938 (5 yr)
Engineering $38,090 (1 yr) · $46,511 (5 yr)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $46,269 (5 yr)
Mathematics and Statistics $19,239 (1 yr) · $44,798 (5 yr)
Health Professions and Related Programs $30,936 (1 yr) · $43,512 (5 yr)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences $10,750 (1 yr) · $43,111 (5 yr)

Where graduates work in Utah

Industry sectors for Utah-employed graduates (payroll records). Counts combine all program areas at this college.

Industry Graduates employed
Educational Services 255 (26.1%)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 126 (12.9%)
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 108 (11.0%)
Health Care and Social Assistance 106 (10.8%)
Retail Trade 92 (9.4%)
Public Administration 69 (7.1%)
Manufacturing 65 (6.6%)
Accommodation and Food Services 62 (6.3%)

Jobs and pay nationwide (U.S. Census)

Transcript-linked earnings and employment across the country. Census PSEO.

Credential type Typical pay & graduates with jobs
Bachelor's $46,590 after 1 yr · $69,167 after 5 yrs · 40,196 with jobs
Master's or professional practice $73,279 after 1 yr · $96,782 after 5 yrs · 16,138 with jobs
Doctoral (professional/other) $79,022 after 1 yr · $126,356 after 5 yrs · 3,631 with jobs
Doctoral (research/other) $80,165 after 1 yr · $111,052 after 5 yrs · 2,729 with jobs
Credential type Staying in Utah (1 year after finishing)
Bachelor's 84.3% stayed in Utah · 39,655 with jobs nationwide (1 yr after finishing)
Master's or professional practice 77.1% stayed in Utah · 16,173 with jobs nationwide (1 yr after finishing)
Doctoral (professional/other) 61.2% stayed in Utah · 3,555 with jobs nationwide (1 yr after finishing)
Doctoral (research/other) 43.3% stayed in Utah · 2,712 with jobs nationwide (1 yr after finishing)

Most common industries where graduates work, about one year after finishing (all credential types combined).

Industry Graduates with jobs (share)
Health care and social assistance 12,345 (19.9%)
Educational services 10,568 (17.0%)
Professional and technical services 10,275 (16.6%)
Finance and insurance 4,485 (7.2%)
Manufacturing 4,249 (6.8%)
Retail trade 3,765 (6.1%)
Public administration 2,633 (4.2%)
Administrative and waste services 2,415 (3.9%)

Program areas with the most graduates and reported first-year pay.

Program area Typical pay after 1 year
Real Estate $54,452 · 5,757 with jobs
Economics $43,550 · 5,404 with jobs
Real Estate $87,467 · 4,773 with jobs
Computer Engineering $73,825 · 3,775 with jobs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $56,673 · 3,577 with jobs
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication $43,188 · 3,084 with jobs
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $80,215 · 2,696 with jobs
Psychology, General $37,118 · 2,445 with jobs

Credential-type rows use federal award categories. Compare them within this school, not across different colleges.

Programs with reported earnings

Fields where Scorecard reports median pay with at least 30 students in the earnings cohort — sorted by typical pay, not by major popularity. Each row is one major and credential level at this school.

Field of study Credential Typical pay (4 yrs) Earnings cohort Debt Graduates Debt vs. pay
Dentistry First Professional Degree $154K 46 $261K 51 170%
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration Doctoral Degree $150K 105 $128K 57 86%
Business Administration, Management and Operations Master's Degree $145K 331 $41K 480 28%
Computer Science Bachelor's Degree $137K 130 $20K 331 15%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Doctoral Degree $133K 130 $55K 333 41%
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Master's Degree $129K 93 $107K 88 83%
Information Science/Studies Master's Degree $127K 90 $24K 294 19%
Real Estate Master's Degree $123K 38 $41K 37 33%

Top programs by completions

Credentials awarded in the 2023–24 school year (federal completions survey), with typical pay and federal loan debt when Scorecard reports them. Debt can be blank when federal data suppress a program cohort; we use additional Scorecard debt fields when available.

Field of study Credential Typical pay (4 yrs) Debt Graduates Debt vs. pay
Business Administration, Management and Operations Master's Degree $145K $41K 480 28%
Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's Degree $81K $22K 480 26%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Doctoral Degree $133K $55K 333 41%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's Degree $86K $22K 333 26%
Computer Science Bachelor's Degree $137K $20K 331 15%
Information Science/Studies Master's Degree $127K $24K 294 19%
Information Science/Studies Bachelor's Degree $105K $24K 294 23%
Mechanical Engineering Master's Degree $106K N/A 235 N/A
Mechanical Engineering Bachelor's Degree $91K $22K 235 25%
Economics Bachelor's Degree $84K $17K 219 20%

Utah program ROI brief

Completions by award level

18,970 Credentials awarded in the 2023–24 school year (federal completions survey).

Award level Completions
Bachelor's 11,356
Doctoral 4,740
Graduate certificate 902
Doctoral professional 732
Master's 722
Other award 518

Utah labor context for top fields

Statewide IPEDS completions vs. BLS employment by field — not job placement at this campus. Higher ratios mean more Utah graduates per related job opening.

Field (top by graduates) Grads here Utah median wage (related jobs) Utah supply ratio
Business 480 $68K 57 graduates per 1,000 Utah jobs
Health professions 333 $62K 162 graduates per 1,000 Utah jobs
Computer and information sciences 331 $97K 130 graduates per 1,000 Utah jobs
Engineering 235 $82K 60 graduates per 1,000 Utah jobs
Social sciences 219 $73K 17 graduates per 1,000 Utah jobs

Credential–labor alignment brief

Institution finances

Endowment, state tax support (public colleges), and Parent PLUS loans. Endowment values come from IPEDS via College Scorecard. Many small schools do not report them.

Endowment

Endowment market value at the start and end of the most recent fiscal year reported to IPEDS. Endowment per student divides year-end value by undergraduate enrollment.

Measure Value
Endowment (year-end) $1.65B
Endowment (year-start) $1.59B
Change over fiscal year +$61.2M (+3.9%)
Endowment per undergraduate $61K

State support (FY 2024)

State tax appropriations from Transparent Utah: what Utah lawmakers budgeted for this public college, not the full operating budget.

Measure Value
State tax appropriation $605.0M
Budget full-time students (FTE) 31,665
Appropriation per FTE $19K
Appropriation per credential awarded $32K

USHE spend vs. outcomes brief

Parent PLUS loans

Median Parent PLUS loan debt among graduates who borrowed. These are federal loans parents take out, separate from the student's own federal loan debt above.

Measure Value
Median Parent PLUS debt at graduation $19K

Institution facts

Field Value
Highest degree offered Graduate
Predominant award Predominantly bachelor's
Accreditor Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Campus setting City, midsize
Address 201 Presidents Circle, ROOM 201, 84112-9008

What this means for you

These questions turn University of Utah's public data into a next step — not a ranking or a guarantee.

Students
  • Compare this school to others on your list — averages above hide big differences between majors.
  • Open the programs table for typical pay and debt in your field, not just school-wide numbers.
  • Compare up to three schools side by side before you apply.
Families
  • Ask the financial aid office for net price at your family's income band — not sticker tuition.
  • Ask whether students like yours typically finish on time and what they earn in your student's intended major.
  • Pair typical pay with federal loan debt in the programs table — completion alone does not guarantee strong pay.

Related Utah research

Data sources

  • U.S. College Scorecard (school-wide outcomes)
  • IPEDS directory (2023–24)
  • IPEDS tuition and costs (2023–24)
  • IPEDS completions (2023–24 award year)
  • Transparent Utah appropriations (USHE)
  • USHE Graduate Workforce Outcomes dashboard
  • USHE graduate workforce outcomes, wage growth (Utah)
  • USHE graduate workforce outcomes, industries (Utah)
  • Census LEHD Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO)
  • IPEDS finance survey endowment (via College Scorecard)
  • College Scorecard Parent PLUS loan medians

Methodology · UNITID 230764

How this was produced

Pathways & Outcomes uses AI tools to help draft reports and data briefs from verified public data and analysis. A human editor reviews every publication for accuracy, data consistency, clarity, methodology alignment, and discrepancies before release. AI does not determine what we investigate, what we publish, or what conclusions we reach. Editorial policy · About our team