At $13,172/yr net price, University of Utah graduates earn $67,170/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $33,170/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,172 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $52,688 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $67,170/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$33,170/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 63.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,447/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,667/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,398/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,886/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,278/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $104,192 | $128,300 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $100,213 | $54,967 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $98,213 | $41,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $85,070 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $84,653 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master | $76,998 | $24,323 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $75,832 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $74,307 | $19,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $68,499 | $47,209 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $67,995 |
The Risk Factor
63.9% of students at University of Utah graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The University of Utah pays off for most who finish. A net price around $13,000 against $67,000 median earnings ten years out puts you in strong territory, and the $19,000 median debt is low enough that you can pay it down without wrecking your budget. The 85% retention and 64% graduation rate mean the bigger risk isn't the money if you graduate, but whether you graduate at all.
Your major decides how well this works. Computer Science graduates lead at $74,307, and Salt Lake City's tech corridor gives you a local market that actually hires them. Electrical, chemical engineering, and finance all clear $64,000, so the engineering and business paths carry real regional demand behind them. Information Science pays $62,409 but carries the heaviest debt on the list at nearly $24,000, so watch that gap if you go that route. Every high-earning program here is a bachelor's, which means these numbers apply to you as an undergraduate.
The risk is what's not listed. Only five programs show strong earnings, and they cluster in tech, engineering, and finance. If you're headed into a humanities or lower-paying field, the $67,000 median won't describe your outcome, and you should look hard at what your specific program earns before committing.
Net price barely moves across the bottom three income tiers, sitting near $10,000 to $12,000 whether your family earns under $30,000 or up to $75,000. Above $75,000, price jumps to roughly $17,000. If your family earns under $48,000, this is one of the cheaper four-year paths available to you. If you're aiming at CS or engineering here, the numbers are clearly in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Utah worth the cost for the education quality?
University of Utah offers solid value with a low net price of $13,172 annually and median debt of just $19,000. The 10-year earnings average of $67,170 provides reasonable returns, though the 64% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What are the highest paying majors at University of Utah?
Pharmacy leads at $104,192 in 10-year earnings, followed by nursing at $100,213 and business administration at $98,213. Engineering programs like electrical engineering also perform well at $84,653, making these the clear ROI winners.
How much student debt do University of Utah graduates typically have?
University of Utah graduates have a median debt of $19,000, which is relatively low compared to national averages. Combined with the school's affordable net price, this keeps debt burdens manageable for most students.
Is University of Utah a good financial investment compared to other schools?
University of Utah provides decent value for in-state students due to low costs and reasonable earnings outcomes. However, the below-average graduation rate of 64% means significant risk that students may not complete their degrees and see returns on investment.