Utah vs. UW

Comparable Facts

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

University of Utah is larger than UW based on total student enrollment (36,894 students vs. 10,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting); University of Wyoming is in Laramie, WY (Remote Town setting).
• University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wyoming is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Utah 19:1; University of Wyoming 13:1.

Utah vs. UW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Utah or UW? 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 Wyoming than Utah ($14,872 vs. $16,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 2.9% lower than at University of Wyoming ($13,315 vs. $13,710).
• University of Utah is 23.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW (about $1,852 more per year; $9,620.00 vs. $7,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at Utah than at University of Wyoming (about $6,682 more per year; $30,860.00 vs. $24,178.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Wyoming than at University of Utah (90% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 24.8% larger than aid received by University of Wyoming students ($12,744 vs. $10,212).

Utah vs. UW Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Utah or UW? 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 UW and Utah.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 150 points higher than at UW (1140).
• Incoming Utah students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at UW).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Utah 1190/1380; University of Wyoming 1040/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Utah 22/29; University of Wyoming 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Utah - Test optional; UW - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Utah Apr 1, 2027; UW Aug 10, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Utah students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UW (3.53).
• UW has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than Utah (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26% at Utah vs. 23.8% at UW.

Utah vs. UW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Utah and UW? 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 Utah's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than University of Wyoming's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than UW graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $51,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UW graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UW graduates ($155 vs. $191).
• More UW graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.