University of Utah is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Salt Lake City, Utah. It enrolls 27,264 students (a very large student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorNorthwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
77/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes72
Value85
Affordability43
Selectivity50
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 86%, University of Utah is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
86%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1190 – 1380
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
22 – 29
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Utah is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Becoming less selective ↑
25.1 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Utah isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $16,200 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$16,200
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
20%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
21%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$9,620
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$30,860
Room & Board (on-campus)
$13,315
Room & Board (off-campus)
$22,300
Books & Supplies
$1,240
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$9,700
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$9,700
Total Cost of Attendance
$25,557
Application fee: $55 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$13,123
$30,001 – $48,000
$13,424
$48,001 – $75,000
$14,246
$75,001 – $110,000
$17,663
Over $110,000
$21,533
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$3,00010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$19,000Medianpercentile
$23,05475%percentile
$34,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $15,666
↓ $3,334
No Pell $12,000
↓ $7,000
Dependent students $13,000
↓ $6,000
Independent students $16,625
↓ $2,375
Female students $13,750
↓ $5,250
Male students $14,119
↓ $4,881
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $9,500, less than completers ($19,000), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
57% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Utah graduate within six years, and 86% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
57%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
86%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
High first-year retention. Students who arrive tend to stay.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Utah earn a median of $67,170 ten years after first enrolling. That's above the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$67,170
Earning > $25K
83%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$43,200
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$76,800
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$64,200
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$65,200
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$58,800
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $33,600, about 44% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
12.9 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 90% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Utah is home to 27,264 students, a sprawling student community.
Total Enrolled
27,264
Part-Time
13%
First-Generation
29%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 63.6%17,343
Hispanic 14.0%3,812
Other 6.9%1,884
Asian 6.0%1,622
International 5.4%1,483
Black 1.2%330
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Utah. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Midsize CitySalt Lake City, Utah
Housing
Partly residential5,956 beds available
Adult Learners
12%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Utah offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
243 distinct programs across
27 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Utah is 18:1, on the higher side.
Student : Faculty
18:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$20,839
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$1.6B
Strong financial cushion supports aid and stability
Avg Faculty Salary
$113,969
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
2,370 instructional faculty across 5 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
790
33%
$165,830
Associate Professors
606
26%
$114,727
Assistant Professors
615
26%
$98,448
Instructors
23
1%
$75,992
Lecturers
336
14%
$78,970
Pros & Cons of University of Utah
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Utah tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Wide variety of programs and student life
Strong first-year retention
Above-average post-graduation earnings
CONS
Class sizes are on the higher side
Large institutional setting can feel impersonal
Predominantly serves middle- and upper-income families
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Utah is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students who want a large campus with breadth and variety.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Utah
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Utah.
Is University of Utah hard to get into?
University of Utah has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 86%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Utah?
University of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Utah?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Utah scored between 1190 and 1380 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Utah?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Utah scored between 22 and 29 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Utah cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Utah is $16,200 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Utah worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $67,170 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $16,200 per year. That's roughly 4.1x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Utah known for?
University of Utah is best known for its programs in Experimental Psychology, Business Administration, Social Work. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Utah graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Utah are $67,170, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Utah accredited?
Yes. University of Utah is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
How many students attend University of Utah?
University of Utah enrolls 27,264 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Utah?
University of Utah graduates 57% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Utah a public or private college?
University of Utah is a Public institution.
Where is University of Utah located?
University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
What programs does University of Utah offer?
University of Utah offers 243 distinct programs. The most popular include Experimental Psychology, Business Administration, Social Work.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Utah?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Utah is 18:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Utah
Other colleges in Utah share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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