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Utah Valley University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Public · Orem, UT · 28,453 students

The verdict

Utah Valley University charges a net price of $6,376/yr after aid — a 2-year total of $12,752. Graduates earn a median $55,486 ten years after entry, $7,126/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 1.8 years — a 20-year net return of $129,768, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Utah Valley University's 1.8-year payback ranks #57 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 96% of them, and #1 of 24 in Utah.

Better ROI than 96% of US colleges#57 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$6,376
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$55,486
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
1.8 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Utah Valley University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$6,376/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (2 yrs)$12,752our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$55,486Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$7,126/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$14,750Scorecard, 2026
Payback1.8 yrsour math
20-year net return$129,768our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 2 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Utah Valley University: frequently asked questions

Is Utah Valley University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Utah Valley University charges $6,376/yr after aid ($12,752 over 2 years), and graduates earn a median $55,486 ten years out — $7,126/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 1.8 years and returns $129,768 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Utah Valley University degree take to pay off?
About 1.8 years. We divide the $12,752 four-year net cost by the $7,126/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Utah Valley University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $6,376/yr — about $12,752 over 2 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Utah Valley University compare to other Utah colleges?
It ranks #1 of 24 Utah colleges we track by payback. Its $55,486 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $6,376 net price is below the national median of $16,906.