Southern Utah University
#2 Best Online Colleges in Utah- Graduation Rate
- 60% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,296 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $10,462 B
- 39% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 82% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 30.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $30.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Online Colleges in Utah.
Every $1 spent returns $30.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,252,177.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 23% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $30.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Southern Utah University Matters
Southern Utah University is a public university in Cedar 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 University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 9,289
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Education
Why students choose Southern Utah University
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
Accessible — admits about 82% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,462 a year after grants and scholarships — 39% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,296 ten years after enrolling — 23% above the typical college, against $12,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 79% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.57 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Southern Utah University is a great fit for students looking for a vibrant community and a wide range of academic programs. With around 9,300 students enrolled, it has a welcoming atmosphere where you can dive into subjects like Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 82% means that many students feel they have a chance to pursue their aspirations here, making it an accessible choice for those ready to take the next step in their education.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates earn an average of $50,296 within a decade of finishing their degrees, which gives a solid indication of the potential return on investment in their education. The affordability of attending Southern Utah University is also appealing, with a net price of $10,462 after financial aid. This means that students can graduate with a manageable median debt of $12,500, making it easier to start their careers without a heavy financial burden.
For many students, success at Southern Utah University comes from a mix of academic support and community engagement. The school attracts those who are motivated and ready to participate actively in their education and campus life. With a graduation rate of 60%, students here are encouraged to reach their goals, and the relatively low cost of attendance allows for a smoother transition into the workforce. It's a place where individuals can thrive through commitment and connection.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Southern Utah University 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 Southern Utah University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Utah University, located in Cedar City, Utah, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 82%
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- ACT Midpoint
- 23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 73%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,847
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.47
- First-Gen Students
- 32%
- Applicants
- 18,570
- Admitted
- 15,571
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 Southern Utah University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Utah University is $21,192, 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 $10,462. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,070 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,962
- Out-of-State
- $21,192
- Avg Net Price
- $10,462
- Median Debt
- $12,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 17%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,070
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,235
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,297
- Family Income $110K+
- $14,917
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Southern Utah University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Utah University earn a median of $50,296, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $41,147
- 8 Years
- $46,085
- 10 Years
- $50,296
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (227)
- 22%
- 100% (227)
- 22%
- 100% (227)
- 22%
- 100% (227)
- 22%
How Southern 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 Southern Utah University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Southern Utah University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,462/year ($41,848 total). Graduates earn $50,296 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,294,025 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,252,177 (30.9× your investment). The median debt is $12,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 60% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $41,848
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,294,025
- Net Return
- $1,252,177
- ROI Multiple
- 30.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $10,462
- Median Debt
- $12,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
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 Southern Utah University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Utah University 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 0.97%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.97%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.9%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 7.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $81,700
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,541,890
- Investment Income
- $-8,979,810
Top Programs
The fields Southern Utah University 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 59%
- Business & Marketing 5%
- Health Professions 4%
- Education 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Psychology 2%
- Communications 2%
- Transportation 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Southern Utah University'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+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Southern Utah University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Southern Utah University, located in Cedar City, Utah, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 82%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 23. The graduation rate is roughly 60%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Southern Utah University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Southern Utah University is $21,192, 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 $10,462. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,070 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,500 in federal student loans.
Is Southern Utah University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Southern Utah University earn a median of $50,296, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Southern Utah University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Southern Utah University 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 0.97%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 13.9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Southern Utah University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Utah University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Southern Utah University.
- Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC · Close peer60% grad $49,458 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · Close peer59% grad $53,390 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · Close peer52% grad $51,151 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI · Close peer62% grad $55,356 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Louisiana Tech UniversityRuston, LA · Close peer61% grad $52,279 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · Close peer41% grad $50,698 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Southern Utah University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Southern Utah University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.57, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note