University of Utah ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$37,260
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$20,239/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
1.8 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
986%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The University of Utah has an acceptance rate of 87.2% and a graduation rate of 64.2%. The average in-state tuition is $9,315. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $52,685. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $55,239, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $67,170.
The median debt for graduates is $19,000. With a median salary of $52,685 one year after graduation, the debt-to-income ratio is approximately 0.36. The university reports that 21.5% of students receive financial aid.
Based on the provided data, the break-even point, or the time it takes to earn back the cost of tuition, is less than one year. This is calculated by dividing the tuition cost of $9,315 by the first-year earnings of $52,685.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$9,315
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$55,239
Graduation Rate
64%
Receive Financial Aid
22%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $124,796 | 4720% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,623 | 900% |
| Accounting and Related Services | $81,271 | 2384% |
| Social Work | $60,292 | 1258% |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $0 | N/A |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $0 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $103,339 | 3568% |
| Information Science/Studies | $101,631 | 3477% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,242 | 825% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $119,620 | 4442% |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $0 | N/A |
| Economics | $68,470 | 1697% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.