Logan, UT · Private University
Is Utah State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$54,022
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$9,228
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$24,802
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$99,208
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.18x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
57.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$14,340
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$12,869
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Utah State University graduates earn $9,022 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 Utah State University ranked by graduate earnings
118 graduates
39 graduates
116 graduates
181 graduates
25 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Utah State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Utah State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer and Information Sciences, General: $91,862) and the lowest (Design and Applied Arts: $20,542) is $71,320/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, GeneralBest ROI | $91,862 | 3.7x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $87,163 | 3.5x |
| Information Science/Studies | $78,628 | 3.2x |
| Public Health | $77,541 | 3.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,504 | 3.1x |
| Civil Engineering | $75,925 | 3.1x |
| Economics | $73,167 | 3.0x |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | $73,007 | 2.9x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $71,538 | 2.9x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $69,741 | 2.8x |
| Marketing | $67,969 | 2.7x |
| International Business(1yr data) | $65,745 | 2.6x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing(1yr data) | $65,486 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $64,575 | 2.6x |
| Biology, General | $61,607 | 2.5x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $57,396 | 2.3x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $56,338 | 2.3x |
| Engineering-Related Fields(1yr data) | $54,059 | 2.2x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $53,112 | 2.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $52,129 | 2.1x |
| Apparel and Textiles(1yr data) | $51,221 | 2.1x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $50,790 | 2.0x |
| Plant Sciences | $50,220 | 2.0x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $49,647 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $48,047 | 1.9x |
| Agricultural Production Operations(1yr data) | $47,297 | 1.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $45,267 | 1.8x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $45,240 | 1.8x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $44,984 | 1.8x |
| Area Studies | $44,503 | 1.8x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $42,982 | 1.7x |
| Journalism | $42,911 | 1.7x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $42,236 | 1.7x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,372 | 1.7x |
| Sociology | $41,332 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $41,237 | 1.7x |
| Sustainability Studies(1yr data) | $39,679 | 1.6x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,623 | 1.6x |
| Social Work | $39,435 | 1.6x |
| Animal Sciences | $38,971 | 1.6x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $37,883 | 1.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies(1yr data) | $37,574 | 1.5x |
| History | $37,218 | 1.5x |
| Music | $35,642 | 1.4x |
| Air Transportation(1yr data) | $33,142 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31,040 | 1.3x |
| Anthropology | $30,608 | 1.2x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $30,249 | 1.2x |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management(1yr data) | $27,996 | 1.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $27,114 | 1.1x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $25,367 | 1.0x |
| Design and Applied ArtsLowest | $20,542 | 0.8x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Utah State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $54,022 10 years after starting, $9,022 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.2 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.