University of Utah combines accessible admission with strong economic mobility outcomes, ranking in the excellent tier for mobility performance. As a Selective Achiever institution, the university delivers $6,393 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions.
With strong tier status, driven by above-average long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With strong tier performance, indicating well-managed costs and debt levels
With excellent tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into earnings advancement
With excellent tier performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into earnings advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Utah delivers strong earnings outcomes with well-managed debt levels, creating favorable conditions for post-graduation financial stability. Graduates earn a median of $67,170 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 83rd percentile nationally.
Earnings span from $40,587 at the 25th percentile to $99,335 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating meaningful variation across career paths and program choices. The institution generates $6,393 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it at the 78th percentile nationally on this value-added measure.
Students seeking strong outcomes at an accessible public research university with excellent test scores. Well-suited for those wanting STEM programs like Computer Science and Engineering, business programs with strong ROI, or diverse program options in communications and health fields.
The University of Utah combines selective academic quality with open admission access.
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 University Of Utah hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-utah/analysis.
Top-tier mobility with open access admission
University of Utah ranks #107 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 93.9th percentile demonstrating excellent economic advancement outcomes. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public research university maintains open access admission with an 87.2% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation results.
The university enrolls 20.1% Pell-eligible students and 29.4% first-generation students, positioning it as a Selective Achiever institution that serves fewer low-income students while producing strong outcomes. Graduates earn $6,393 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 78th percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $67,170 ten years after enrollment, placing University of Utah at the 83rd percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $6,627 more annually, reflecting the institution's ability to deliver strong economic returns alongside accessible admission standards.
University of Utah admits approximately 87.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places University of Utah in the Open Access category, indicating broad educational opportunity for prospective students.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows that University of Utah maintains higher accessibility than typical four-year institutions, with an admission rate 9.1 percentage points above similar schools. This level of accessibility means that students with a wide range of academic backgrounds can gain admission, though the university maintains high academic standards as evidenced by strong test score performance.
University of Utah's open access approach supports its mission as a public research university serving diverse student populations. For most applicants with solid academic preparation, University of Utah represents an accessible option that delivers strong post-graduation outcomes.
Students should focus on demonstrating academic readiness and alignment with their chosen program rather than viewing admission as highly competitive. The combination of open access admission with strong outcomes makes University of Utah an attractive option for students seeking both accessibility and quality education.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Utah's published cost of attendance is $21,799 per year for in-state students, including $9,315 in-state tuition, $12,398 for room and board, and $1,100 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face significantly higher costs with $29,837 tuition, bringing total attendance costs substantially higher.
However, the average student pays just $13,172 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,627 compared to the sticker price. This net price falls $2,418 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating University of Utah provides relative value compared to similar institutions.
The gap between published costs and actual net price demonstrates the significant role of financial aid in making University of Utah accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds. For in-state students, the combination of moderate tuition levels and substantial aid creates favorable affordability conditions.
Out-of-state students should carefully evaluate net price estimates based on their family's financial situation, as published tuition rates may not reflect actual costs after aid. University of Utah's pricing structure supports its public mission while maintaining competitive positioning relative to peer institutions.
University of Utah graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time, with outcomes based on substantial cohort sizes providing high confidence in reported figures. Median earnings increase from $55,239 six years after enrollment to $61,202 at eight years and $67,170 at ten years, representing 21.6% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from 6,545 graduates in the ten-year cohort, 6,135 in the eight-year cohort, and 5,121 in the six-year cohort. Graduates earn $6,393 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University of Utah at the 78th percentile for earnings uplift performance.
Low-income graduates earn $64,200, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings outcomes span from $40,587 at the 25th percentile to $99,335 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory.
Approximately 28.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Computer Science.
163 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
46 graduates
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
83 graduates
Banking and Financial Support Services.
147 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
97 graduates
University of Utah offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Computer Science ranks #81 nationally and #2 in Utah, producing 163 graduates with median earnings of $99,562 and a value score of 56.3.
Information Science ranks #6 nationally and #1 in Utah, graduating 97 students with median earnings of $90,312 and a value score of 90.0. Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #34 nationally and #2 in Utah, with 147 graduates earning $90,829 and achieving a value score of 83.8.
Business Administration and Management ranks #52 nationally and #2 in Utah, graduating 213 students with median earnings of $72,856. Communication and Media Studies ranks #42 nationally and #1 in Utah, serving as one of the university's largest programs with 347 graduates earning $53,623.
Several programs hold #1 state rankings, including Behavioral Neuroscience, Adult Health Nursing, Applied Sociology, and Analytical Chemistry, demonstrating University of Utah's leadership position within Utah's higher education landscape.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Chico Similar quality tier in West (#108 ranked) | CA | 94% | $64,172 | #108 | Compare |
University At Albany Similar quality tier (#105 ranked) | NY | 70% | $67,979 | #105 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Similar quality tier (#103 ranked) | PR | 52% | $48,992 | #103 | Compare |
Ohio State University-Main Campus Similar quality tier (#110 ranked) | OH | 51% | $60,409 | #110 | Compare |
University Of Nevada-Las Vegas Similar quality tier (#99 ranked) | NV | 96% | $55,037 | #99 | Compare |