BYU vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare Brigham Young University in Provo, UT with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Utah is larger than BYU based on total student enrollment (36,894 students vs. 35,873 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Brigham Young University is located in Provo, UT (Midsize City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Brigham Young University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Brigham Young University 21:1; University of Utah 19:1.

BYU vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BYU or Utah? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Utah than BYU ($16,583 vs. $16,694).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 21.9% lower than at University of Utah ($10,396 vs. $13,315).
• University of Utah is 43.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than BYU (about $2,932 more per year; $9,620.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 361.4% higher at Utah than at Brigham Young University (about $24,172 more per year; $30,860.00 vs. $6,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at Brigham Young University (73% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 109.3% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($12,744 vs. $6,088).

BYU vs. Utah Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BYU or Utah? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Utah and BYU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Brigham Young University (1370) is 80 points higher than at Utah (1290).
• Incoming BYU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brigham Young University 1270/1460; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Brigham Young University 28/32; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BYU - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: BYU Dec 16, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman BYU students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than BYU (67.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 77.5% at BYU vs. 26% at Utah.

BYU vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BYU and Utah? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Brigham Young University's six-year graduation rate (78%) is higher than University of Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from Brigham Young University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Utah graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,100 vs. $61,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Utah graduates ($11,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Utah graduates ($113 vs. $155).
• More BYU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.