Head-to-head · 2026
Southern Utah University vs University of Utah
Compare average net price ($10,462 at Southern Utah University; $16,200 at University of Utah), ROI score (12.02 vs 10.37), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,296 vs $67,170), and admissions selectivity (81.8% acceptance at Southern Utah University; 86% at University of Utah) 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 | Southern Utah University | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.02 ✓ | 10.37 |
| Avg net price | $10,462 ✓ | $16,200 |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,848 ✓ | $64,800 |
| In-state tuition | $6,962 | $9,620 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,192 | $30,860 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,296 | $67,170 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 81.8% | 86% |
| Graduation rate | 60.7% | 65.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 75.5% | 86.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,500 ✓ | $19,000 |
| Enrollment | 9,289 | 27,264 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1257 |
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 | Southern Utah University | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,070 ✓ | $13,123 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,235 ✓ | $13,424 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,297 ✓ | $14,246 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,487 ✓ | $17,663 |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,917 ✓ | $21,533 |
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 | Southern Utah University | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 51% | 0.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5% | 5.6% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 2.5% | 3.5% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.7% | 2.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.5% | 3.3% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.2% | 3% |
| Biology, General | 2.2% | 2.5% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 0.2% | 3.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southern Utah University reports the lower average net price by $5,738 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $22,952 difference over four years ($41,848 vs $64,800).
University of Utah reports $16,874 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($67,170 vs $50,296). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.5% at Southern Utah University and 86.2% at University of Utah. Median federal debt among completers is $12,500 vs $19,000, 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
Southern Utah University vs University of Utah, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southern Utah University is cheaper — average net price $10,462 per year vs $16,200 at University of Utah. The annual difference of $5,738 adds up to about $22,952 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Utah reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $67,170 vs $50,296 at Southern Utah University. The gap in the federal data is $16,874. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Southern Utah University is more selective at 81.8% acceptance vs 86% at University of Utah.
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.