Head-to-head comparison
Utah Valley University vs University of Utah: which has better ROI?
Option A Orem, UT
Utah Valley University
- Net price / year
- $6,376
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,486
- Payback
- 1.8 yrs
Option B Salt Lake City, UT
University of Utah
- Net price / year
- $16,200
- Earnings, 10 years
- $67,170
- Payback
- 3.4 yrs
Utah Valley University has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $12,752 in 1.8 years versus 3.4 years at University of Utah, on median earnings of $55,486 vs $67,170 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Utah Valley University | University of Utah |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,376 | $16,200 |
| Total net cost | $12,752 | $64,800 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,486 | $67,170 |
| Median debt | $14,750 | $19,000 |
| Payback | 1.8 yrs | 3.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $129,768 | $311,400 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Utah Valley University or University of Utah?
Utah Valley University, at $6,376 a year after aid versus $16,200 — a gap of $9,824 a year, or $52,048 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 Valley University or University of Utah graduates earn more?
University of Utah graduates report a median $67,170 ten years after entry, $11,684 more than the $55,486 at Utah Valley 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 Valley University or University of Utah?
Utah Valley University: its completers carry a median $14,750 in federal loans versus $19,000 at University of Utah, a difference of $4,250. 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?
65% of students finish at University of Utah, against 45% at Utah Valley 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.