Head-to-head comparison
Utah State University vs Southern Utah University: which has better ROI?
Option A Logan, UT
Utah State University
- Net price / year
- $14,936
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,022
- Payback
- 10.6 yrs
Option B Cedar City, UT
Southern Utah University
- Net price / year
- $10,462
- Earnings, 10 years
- $50,296
- Payback
- 21.6 yrs
Utah State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,744 in 10.6 years versus 21.6 years at Southern Utah University, on median earnings of $54,022 vs $50,296 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Utah State University | Southern Utah University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,936 | $10,462 |
| Total net cost | $59,744 | $41,848 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,022 | $50,296 |
| Median debt | $14,340 | $12,500 |
| Payback | 10.6 yrs | 21.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $53,496 | -$3,128 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Utah State University or Southern Utah University?
Southern Utah University, at $10,462 a year after aid versus $14,936 — a gap of $4,474 a year, or $17,896 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Utah State University or Southern Utah University graduates earn more?
Utah State University graduates report a median $54,022 ten years after entry, $3,726 more than the $50,296 at Southern Utah University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Utah State University or Southern Utah University?
Southern Utah University: its completers carry a median $12,500 in federal loans versus $14,340 at Utah State University, a difference of $1,840. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at Southern Utah University, against 59% at Utah State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.