Head-to-head · 2026
University of Utah vs Western Governors University
Compare average net price ($16,200 at University of Utah; $12,548 at Western Governors University), ROI score (10.37 vs 12.08), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($67,170 vs $60,615), and admissions context (86% at University of Utah; Open / not reported at Western Governors 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 | University of Utah | Western Governors University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.37 | 12.08 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,200 | $12,548 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $64,800 | $50,192 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,620 | $8,658 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $30,860 | $8,658 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $67,170 ✓ | $60,615 |
| Acceptance rate | 86% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 65.1% ✓ | 46.2% |
| Retention rate | 86.2% ✓ | 64.6% |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $11,116 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 27,264 | 155,088 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| 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 | University of Utah | Western Governors University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,123 | $12,064 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,424 | $12,436 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,246 | $12,578 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,663 | $14,824 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $21,533 | $12,734 ✓ |
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 | University of Utah | Western Governors University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.3% | 23.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.6% | 15% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 0.6% | 6.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.5% | 6.4% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 0.2% | 5.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.1% | 3.4% |
| Computer Science | 2.7% | 1.6% |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 1.8% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Governors University reports the lower average net price by $3,652 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $14,608 difference over four years ($50,192 vs $64,800).
University of Utah reports $6,555 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($67,170 vs $60,615). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86.2% at University of Utah and 64.6% at Western Governors University. Median federal debt among completers is $19,000 vs $11,116, 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
University of Utah vs Western Governors University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Governors University is cheaper — average net price $12,548 per year vs $16,200 at University of Utah. The annual difference of $3,652 adds up to about $14,608 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Utah reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $67,170 vs $60,615 at Western Governors University. The gap in the federal data is $6,555. 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.