Salt Lake Community College
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Utah- Graduation Rate
- 29% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $47,867 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,804 B
- 43% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 18,136
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 28.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.9 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in Utah.
Every $1 spent returns $28.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,094,609.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Graduation of 29% — 48% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $28.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.1%
- Top 88%
- Patents
- 43
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 813
- Downstream influence
Why Salt Lake Community College Matters
Salt Lake Community College is a public community college in Salt Lake City, UT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 18,136
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Salt Lake Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,804 a year after grants and scholarships — 43% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,867 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $8,003 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 77% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.43 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 18,000 students, Salt Lake Community College is an excellent fit for those seeking practical education in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing, and Psychology. The diversity of programs allows students to find a path that resonates with their interests and career goals. This large community can provide a supportive atmosphere where students are encouraged to connect with peers and faculty alike.
When it comes to life after graduation, graduates from Salt Lake Community College can expect to earn an average of $47,867 within ten years. This figure illustrates that a degree from here can lead to solid financial stability. The affordability of education is also a plus, as the net price after aid comes to about $9,804. With a median debt of just $8,003, students are likely to find themselves in a manageable financial situation after completing their studies.
The practical bottom line is that Salt Lake Community College offers an accessible education that can lead to meaningful career options without an overwhelming financial burden. Students who thrive here tend to be motivated and focused on their professional futures. This community college can be a stepping stone to further studies or immediate employment in a variety of fields, making it a solid choice for many.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Salt Lake Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Salt Lake Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Salt Lake Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
- Retention Rate
- 57%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 24%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,935
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.61
- First-Gen Students
- 40%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Salt Lake Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Salt Lake Community College is $14,244, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,804. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,476 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,003 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,426
- Out-of-State
- $14,244
- Avg Net Price
- $9,804
- Median Debt
- $8,003
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 8%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,476
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $9,048
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,559
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,928
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Salt Lake Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $47,867, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,501
- 8 Years
- $44,450
- 10 Years
- $47,867
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.17x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (291)
- 16%
- 100% (291)
- 16%
- 100% (291)
- 16%
- 100% (291)
- 16%
How Salt Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Salt Lake Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Salt Lake Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,804/year ($39,216 total). Graduates earn $47,867 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,133,825 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,094,609 (28.9× your investment). The median debt is $8,003, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 29% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $39,216
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,133,825
- Net Return
- $1,094,609
- ROI Multiple
- 28.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,804
- Median Debt
- $8,003
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Salt Lake Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Salt Lake Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $82,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 6.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $82,500
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Salt Lake Community College produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 43 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.14%
- Top 88% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 43
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 813
- Downstream influence
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $9,858,478
- Federal Grants
- $3,295,354
- Investment Income
- $-1,744,008
Top Programs
The fields Salt Lake Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 37%
- Health Professions 15%
- Computer Science & IT 12%
- Business & Marketing 6%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4%
- Psychology 3%
- Transportation 2%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Salt Lake Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Salt Lake Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Salt Lake Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Salt Lake Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Salt Lake Community College is $14,244, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,804. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,476 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,003 in federal student loans.
Is Salt Lake Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $47,867, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Salt Lake Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Salt Lake Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 6.5% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $82,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Salt Lake Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Salt Lake Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.43, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Salt Lake Community College.
- College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL · Close peer25% grad $46,909 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Riverside City CollegeRiverside, CA · Close peer34% grad $41,091 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- Portland Community CollegePortland, OR · Close peer18% grad $44,592 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Blinn College DistrictBrenham, TX · Close peer11% grad $46,318 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga, CA · Close peer34% grad $42,975 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- Diablo Valley CollegePleasant Hill, CA · Close peer47% grad $51,378 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Salt Lake Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Salt Lake Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.43, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note