Head-to-head · 2026
Southern Utah University vs Utah Valley University
Compare average net price ($10,462 at Southern Utah University; $6,376 at Utah Valley University), ROI score (12.02 vs 21.76), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,296 vs $55,486), and admissions context (81.8% at Southern Utah University; Open / not reported at Utah Valley 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 | Southern Utah University | Utah Valley University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.02 | 21.76 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,462 | $6,376 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,848 | $25,504 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,962 | $6,507 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,192 | $18,489 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,296 | $55,486 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 81.8% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 60.7% ✓ | 45.1% |
| Retention rate | 75.5% ✓ | 73.1% |
| Median debt | $12,500 ✓ | $14,750 |
| Enrollment | 9,289 | 28,453 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
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 | Utah Valley University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,070 | $3,904 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,235 | $4,231 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,297 | $5,664 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,487 | $8,115 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,917 | $13,297 ✓ |
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 | Utah Valley University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 51% | 32.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5% | 6.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.7% | 4.7% |
| Psychology, General | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.1% | 3.6% |
| Air Transportation | 1.4% | 3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.4% | 3.6% |
| Biology, General | 2.2% | 1.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Utah Valley University reports the lower average net price by $4,086 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $16,344 difference over four years ($25,504 vs $41,848).
Utah Valley University reports $5,190 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($55,486 vs $50,296). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 75.5% at Southern Utah University and 73.1% at Utah Valley University. Median federal debt among completers is $12,500 vs $14,750, 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.
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Frequently asked
Southern Utah University vs Utah Valley University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Utah Valley University is cheaper — average net price $6,376 per year vs $10,462 at Southern Utah University. The annual difference of $4,086 adds up to about $16,344 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Utah Valley University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $55,486 vs $50,296 at Southern Utah University. The gap in the federal data is $5,190. 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.