U of A vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arizona is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; University of Utah 19:1.

U of A vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 U of A ($16,583 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 20.5% lower than at University of Arizona ($13,315 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 44.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $4,306 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at U of A than at University of Utah (about $11,418 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of Utah (95% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 8.1% larger than aid received by University of Utah students ($13,776 vs. $12,744).

U of A vs. Utah Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is the same as at Utah (1290).
• Incoming U of A students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Utah (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Utah students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Utah (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 26% at Utah.

U of A vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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).

• University of Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than University of Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($155 vs. $196).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A 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.