At $11,432/yr net price, Southern Utah University graduates earn $50,296/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,296/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,432 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $45,728 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,296/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,296/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,156/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,339/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,243/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,197/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,580/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General. | Master | $59,320 | $14,798 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $59,042 | $14,739 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $53,108 | $11,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $52,107 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Bachelor | $51,273 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $50,439 | $17,000 |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $47,952 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $47,260 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,682 |
The Risk Factor
59.0% of students at Southern Utah University graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Southern Utah University gives you a low-risk financial deal. You borrow a median of $12,500 for a degree, and you can pay it back on the earnings that follow. That debt load is small enough that even middling salaries clear it without straining you.
The strongest bets are nursing, computer science, and engineering technology. Nursing pairs the highest pay with the lowest debt of any program here, which makes it the safest math on campus. Computer science and engineering technology land close behind. Economics and general computer and information sciences trail the pack, so if you pick those, you're accepting a few thousand less a year for the same tuition.
The main risk is finishing. More than a quarter of students don't return after the first year, and four in ten never graduate. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome here, and your odds of that are real. If you're not confident you'll stick it out, that changes the calculation.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or tech credential without borrowing heavily, or if your family income is under $48k. At those tiers your net price runs in the $7,000-$8,000 range, and the return on that is clear. If your family earns over $110k, you pay more than double the lowest tier, and the median earnings mean the payoff is slower for you.
Look elsewhere if you're set on a field not listed among the top earners here, since the program data doesn't back a strong return outside nursing, computing, and engineering technology. For those fields at these prices, the numbers work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern Utah University worth the cost for the career outcomes?
Southern Utah University graduates earn a median of $50,296 ten years after graduation, which is modest compared to the national average. The low net price of $11,432 annually and manageable debt load of $12,500 help offset the lower earnings potential.
What are the best paying majors at Southern Utah University?
Education and accounting graduates from Southern Utah University earn around $59,000 annually, the highest among the school's programs. Nursing, business, and computer science graduates earn in the $52,000-$53,000 range, which are solid middle-class incomes.
How much debt do Southern Utah University students graduate with?
Southern Utah University graduates have a median debt of $12,500, which is relatively low compared to national averages. This manageable debt load combined with the affordable annual cost makes the financial risk lower than many universities.
Does Southern Utah University have good graduation rates for the investment?
Southern Utah University's 59% graduation rate is concerning, meaning 4 out of 10 students don't finish their degree. However, those who do graduate face minimal debt and reasonable career prospects in education and business fields.