Salt Lake City, UT · Private University
Is University of Utah Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$67,170
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,315
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$29,837
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$119,348
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.25x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
3.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$13,172
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Utah graduates earn $22,170 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 University of Utah ranked by graduate earnings
142 graduates
43 graduates
44 graduates
97 graduates
81 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Utah
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Utah, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $99,562) and the lowest (Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft: $20,701) is $78,861/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $99,562 | 3.3x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $93,865 | 3.1x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $93,547 | 3.1x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $90,829 | 3.0x |
| Information Science/Studies | $90,312 | 3.0x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $89,605 | 3.0x |
| Chemical Engineering | $80,643 | 2.7x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $79,480 | 2.7x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $73,543 | 2.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $73,089 | 2.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $72,856 | 2.4x |
| Physics | $69,676 | 2.3x |
| Mathematics | $69,595 | 2.3x |
| Marketing | $68,614 | 2.3x |
| Economics | $68,470 | 2.3x |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions(1yr data) | $67,965 | 2.3x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $66,109 | 2.2x |
| Chemistry | $61,624 | 2.1x |
| International/Global Studies | $56,942 | 1.9x |
| Public Health | $56,703 | 1.9x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,623 | 1.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,856 | 1.8x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,242 | 1.8x |
| Music | $51,815 | 1.7x |
| Biology, General | $51,081 | 1.7x |
| Social Sciences, General | $49,866 | 1.7x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $49,446 | 1.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $49,166 | 1.6x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies(1yr data) | $47,950 | 1.6x |
| History | $47,392 | 1.6x |
| Sociology | $47,324 | 1.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $47,300 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $47,204 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $47,108 | 1.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $44,957 | 1.5x |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions(1yr data) | $43,684 | 1.5x |
| Psychology, General | $42,396 | 1.4x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $42,364 | 1.4x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $41,052 | 1.4x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $41,041 | 1.4x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology(1yr data) | $40,717 | 1.4x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $39,661 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $37,854 | 1.3x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $37,398 | 1.3x |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, Other(1yr data) | $34,802 | 1.2x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications(1yr data) | $33,508 | 1.1x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services(1yr data) | $30,251 | 1.0x |
| Sustainability Studies(1yr data) | $30,229 | 1.0x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $24,125 | 0.8x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftLowest(1yr data) | $20,701 | 0.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
University of Utah stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $67,170 10 years after starting — $22,170 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 3.7 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.