Head-to-head · 2026
Salt Lake Community College vs Utah State University
Compare average net price ($9,804 at Salt Lake Community College; $14,936 at Utah State University), ROI score (12.21 vs 9.04), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,867 vs $54,022), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Salt Lake Community College; 92.5% at Utah State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Salt Lake Community College | Utah State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.21 ✓ | 9.04 |
| Avg net price | $9,804 ✓ | $14,936 |
| 4-year avg net price | $39,216 ✓ | $59,744 |
| In-state tuition | $4,426 | $9,228 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,244 | $24,802 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,867 | $54,022 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 92.5% |
| Graduation rate | 29.3% | 59.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 56.7% | 70.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,003 ✓ | $14,340 |
| Enrollment | 18,136 | 20,272 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1187 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Salt Lake Community College | Utah State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,476 ✓ | $12,057 |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,048 ✓ | $12,803 |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,559 ✓ | $13,521 |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,589 ✓ | $16,094 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,928 ✓ | $19,169 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Salt Lake Community College | Utah State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 40.1% | 12.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 10.2% | 2.4% |
| Psychology, General | 3.8% | 4.1% |
| Economics | 0.2% | 6.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.5% | 2% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 4% | 0% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.2% | 2.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.2% | 3.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Salt Lake Community College reports the lower average net price by $5,132 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,528 difference over four years ($39,216 vs $59,744).
Utah State University reports $6,155 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,022 vs $47,867). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.7% at Salt Lake Community College and 70.8% at Utah State University. Median federal debt among completers is $8,003 vs $14,340, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Salt Lake Community College vs Utah State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Salt Lake Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,804 per year vs $14,936 at Utah State University. The annual difference of $5,132 adds up to about $20,528 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Utah State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,022 vs $47,867 at Salt Lake Community College. The gap in the federal data is $6,155. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.