OSU vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oregon State University is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (37,163 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, OR (Small City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Oregon State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oregon State University 18:1; University of Utah 19:1.

OSU vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OSU 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 OSU ($16,583 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 18.7% lower than at Oregon State University ($13,315 vs. $16,386).
• Oregon State University is 49.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $4,780 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.8% higher at OSU than at University of Utah (about $7,330 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at University of Utah (90% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 13.5% larger than aid received by Oregon State University students ($12,744 vs. $11,230).

OSU vs. Utah Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OSU 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 OSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 20 points higher than at OSU (1270).
• Incoming OSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 1140/1400; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Oregon State University 24/31; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OSU - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: OSU Feb 1, 2027; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Utah students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at OSU (3.61).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than OSU (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at OSU vs. 26% at Utah.

OSU vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OSU 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).

• Oregon State University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than OSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $53,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than OSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than OSU graduates ($155 vs. $242).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 66%)

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.