Utah Valley University ranks in the top 7% nationally for affordability while delivering top-tier mobility performance at the 93.8th percentile. The institution combines exceptional debt control with steady earnings growth, creating sustainable pathways to economic advancement for diverse student populations including 54.8% transfer students.
With above-average outcomes, driven by manageable debt levels despite moderate earnings
With top-tier performance, reflecting the institution's exceptional debt control and cost management
With well above average performance, indicating substantial enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Also achieving top-tier status through strong outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUtah Valley University delivers strong value through exceptional affordability rather than premium earnings levels. Graduates earn a median of $55,486 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 58th percentile nationally, with earnings spanning from $30,185 at the 25th percentile to $86,094 at the 75th percentile.
While graduates earn $3,525 less than statistical expectations based on student demographics, this modest gap is more than offset by extraordinarily low debt levels. Median student debt reaches just $14,750, ranking at the 86th percentile for debt control and $5,250 below the peer median of $20,000.
Students seeking affordable education with strong economic mobility outcomes, particularly those from first-generation and lower-income backgrounds. Utah Valley University serves students looking for practical career preparation across business, technology, and professional fields at exceptionally low debt levels.
The institution's Opportunity Builders profile reflects its mission to provide educational access with meaningful post-graduation returns.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the Utah Valley University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/utah-valley-university/analysis.
Top-tier affordability with strong mobility outcomes
Utah Valley University leads with top-tier affordability performance, ranking at the 93.7th percentile nationally for cost management and debt control. Located in Orem, Utah, this large public institution combines accessible education with strong economic mobility outcomes.
Utah Valley University enrolls 23.4% Pell-eligible students and 27.2% first-generation students, while maintaining a substantial 54.8% transfer student population that reflects its commitment to educational access and pathway completion. The institution demonstrates above-average return performance at the 64.1st percentile, delivering steady earnings growth alongside exceptional debt management.
Graduates earn $55,486 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 58th percentile nationally, while maintaining median debt of just $14,750—well below the peer median of $20,000. This combination of controlled costs, manageable debt, and consistent earnings places Utah Valley University in the Opportunity Builders quadrant, where institutions prioritize educational access while delivering meaningful economic returns for diverse student populations.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Utah Valley University maintains exceptionally low costs relative to both published prices and peer institutions. The published cost of attendance reaches $15,172 per year, including $6,270 in-state tuition, $670 for books and supplies, with the remainder covering room, board, and personal expenses.
However, the average student pays just $8,463 after financial aid, representing savings of $6,709 compared to the sticker price. This net price of $8,463 runs $7,127 below the peer median of $15,590, placing Utah Valley University among the most affordable public institutions nationally.
For Utah residents, in-state tuition of $6,270 represents exceptional value, while out-of-state students face tuition of $17,830—still competitive within the regional public university landscape. The substantial gap between published costs and actual net prices reflects targeted financial aid distribution, with the greatest savings flowing to lower-income students.
This cost structure supports Utah Valley University's mission of providing accessible higher education while maintaining academic quality and program breadth across its diverse student population.
Utah Valley University graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression from early to mid-career periods. Median earnings grow from $46,825 six years after enrollment to $50,056 at eight years and $55,486 at ten years, representing 18.5% growth between the six-year and ten-year marks.
These outcomes reflect a large cohort base of 9,608 graduates in the ten-year earnings data, providing high confidence in reported figures across the institution's diverse program portfolio. Graduates earn $5,057 less than the peer median of $60,543, indicating outcomes that trail similar public institutions by a modest margin.
However, earnings distribution shows meaningful variation, with the 2.85:1 ratio between 75th percentile ($86,094) and 25th percentile ($30,185) reflecting diverse career trajectories across programs. Low-income graduates earn $50,100, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Approximately 24.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, suggesting balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways. The consistent earnings growth pattern indicates that Utah Valley University graduates build career momentum over time, even if starting salaries lag behind more selective peer institutions.
Computer Engineering.
38 graduates
Computer Science.
68 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
55 graduates
Air Transportation.
212 graduates
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection.
56 graduates
Utah Valley University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, led by several nationally competitive programs. Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology ranks #1 nationally, graduating 195 students with median earnings of $80,991 and achieving a perfect value score of 100.0.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #36 nationally and #3 in Utah, producing 134 graduates earning $83,180. Business Administration and Management ranks #61 nationally with 290 graduates earning $71,749, representing one of the university's largest programs.
Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #33 nationally and #1 in Utah, graduating 114 students with median earnings of $56,514. Psychology represents the institution's largest program by enrollment, graduating 398 students annually with median earnings of $40,516 and ranking #2 in Utah.
Digital Marketing ranks #38 nationally, graduating 168 students with earnings of $66,493. The program portfolio demonstrates particular strength in aviation, business, and applied professional fields, with multiple programs achieving top-tier national rankings while maintaining substantial enrollment levels.
