Cedar City, UT · Private University
Is Southern Utah University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$50,296
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$6,770
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,586
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$82,344
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.44x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.4 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
59.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$12,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,432
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Southern Utah University graduates earn $5,296 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Southern Utah University ranked by graduate earnings
16 graduates
22 graduates
93 graduates
30 graduates
23 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Southern Utah University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Southern Utah University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $77,302) and the lowest (English Language and Literature, General: $28,818) is $48,484/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $77,302 | 3.8x |
| Engineering Technology, General | $70,608 | 3.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,156 | 3.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,481 | 3.0x |
| Agriculture, General | $57,314 | 2.8x |
| Marketing | $50,623 | 2.5x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,318 | 2.4x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $46,941 | 2.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,729 | 2.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $43,818 | 2.1x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $43,401 | 2.1x |
| Economics(1yr data) | $43,266 | 2.1x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $36,054 | 1.8x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $34,561 | 1.7x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other(1yr data) | $33,465 | 1.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,839 | 1.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $32,261 | 1.6x |
| Psychology, General | $31,561 | 1.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness(1yr data) | $30,092 | 1.5x |
| English Language and Literature, GeneralLowest(1yr data) | $28,818 | 1.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Southern Utah University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $50,296 10 years after starting, $5,296 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.4 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.