Southern Utah University vs. UVU

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Utah University in Cedar City, UT with Utah Valley University in Orem, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Utah Valley University is larger than Southern Utah University based on total student enrollment (46,807 students vs. 15,444 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Utah University is located in Cedar City, UT (Remote Town setting); Utah Valley University is in Orem, UT (Small City setting).
• Southern Utah University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Utah Valley University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Utah University 22:1; Utah Valley University 26:1.

Southern Utah University vs. UVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southern Utah University or UVU? 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 Utah Valley University than Southern Utah University ($8,721 vs. $11,840).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Utah University are 24% lower than at Utah Valley University ($9,236 vs. $12,150).
• Southern Utah University is 7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVU (about $455 more per year; $6,962.00 vs. $6,507.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at Southern Utah University than at Utah Valley University (about $2,703 more per year; $21,192.00 vs. $18,489.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Utah University than at Utah Valley University (94% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Utah University students is 72.5% larger than aid received by Utah Valley University students ($9,779 vs. $5,670).

Southern Utah University vs. UVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southern Utah University or UVU? 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 UVU and Southern Utah University.

• Utah Valley University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Utah University 1030/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Southern Utah University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southern Utah University - Test-free; UVU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Utah University Sep 8, 2026; UVU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Southern Utah University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at UVU (3.52).

Southern Utah University vs. UVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southern Utah University and UVU? 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).

• Southern Utah University's six-year graduation rate (35%) is higher than Utah Valley University's (25%).
• Graduates from Utah Valley University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Southern Utah University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Utah University graduates have a $2,625 lower median loan debt than UVU graduates ($12,575 vs. $15,200).
• Among borrowers, Southern Utah University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVU graduates ($130 vs. $157).
• More Southern Utah University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 60%)

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.