Utah State University
#3 Best Online Colleges in Utah- Graduation Rate
- 58% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,022 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $14,936 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 92% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 22.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.8 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Online Colleges in Utah.
Every $1 spent returns $22.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,301,589.
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 32% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $22.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Utah State University Matters
Utah State University is a public research university in Logan, UT and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and 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 Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 20,272
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Social Sciences
Why students choose Utah State 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 92% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1070–1290. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $14,936 a year after grants and scholarships — 13% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,022 ten years after enrolling — 32% above the typical college, against $14,340 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 93% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.62 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 20,000 students and an acceptance rate of 92%, Utah State University is an accessible choice for many. It’s well-suited for those looking to study in fields like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Education. The welcoming environment and variety of programs make it a solid option for students who want to explore their interests while gaining a practical education.
When it comes to life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni 10 years out is $54,022. This gives you a good sense of the potential return on your investment. Plus, with a graduation rate of 58%, many students find their footing and move into promising careers. The affordability of the education here is also noteworthy, especially with 26% of students receiving Pell Grants to help with costs.
Looking at the numbers, the net price after aid is $14,936, which is quite manageable compared to the median debt of $14,340. This means many students can graduate with relatively low debt, which can ease the transition into the workforce. Those who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and engaged, often taking advantage of the resources and community support available to them.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Utah State 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 Utah State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Logan, Utah, Utah State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 92%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,187. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 92%
- Retention Rate
- 71%
- SAT Average
- 1187
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1070–1290
- ACT Range
- 20–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 97%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $11,173
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.34
- First-Gen Students
- 28%
- Applicants
- 16,069
- Admitted
- 15,061
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 Utah State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Utah State University is $24,802, 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 $14,936. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,057 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,340 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $9,228
- Out-of-State
- $24,802
- Avg Net Price
- $14,936
- Median Debt
- $14,340
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 19%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,057
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $12,803
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,521
- Family Income $110K+
- $19,169
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Utah State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Utah State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Utah State University earn a median of $54,022, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $44,822
- 8 Years
- $50,008
- 10 Years
- $54,022
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.27x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (516)
- 21%
- 100% (516)
- 21%
- 100% (516)
- 21%
- 100% (516)
- 21%
How Utah 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 Utah State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Utah State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $14,936/year ($59,744 total). Graduates earn $54,022 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,361,333 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,301,589 (22.8× your investment). The median debt is $14,340, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 58% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $59,744
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,361,333
- Net Return
- $1,301,589
- ROI Multiple
- 22.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $14,936
- Median Debt
- $14,340
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
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 Utah State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Utah State 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 0.65%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.65%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $124,045
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-46,177,169
Top Programs
The fields Utah State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 35% $41,024 early-career
- Business & Marketing 9% $59,931 early-career
- Health Professions 8% $59,684 early-career
- Social Sciences 8% $61,913 early-career
- Education 5% $46,195 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $47,965 early-career
- Engineering 4% $84,379 early-career
- Psychology 3% $37,484 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Utah State 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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Utah State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Logan, Utah, Utah State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 92%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,187. The graduation rate is roughly 58%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Utah State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Utah State University is $24,802, 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 $14,936. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,057 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,340 in federal student loans.
Is Utah State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Utah State University earn a median of $54,022, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Utah State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Utah State 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 0.65%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.9% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,300, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Utah State 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 Utah State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), 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 Utah State University.
- Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · Close peer59% grad $54,384 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · Close peer50% grad $54,990 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · Close peer62% grad $55,146 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA · Close peer53% grad $53,236 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · Close peer66% grad $56,887 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · Close peer74% grad $51,836 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Utah State 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 Utah State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), 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