UVU vs. Salt Lake Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Utah Valley University is larger than Salt Lake Community College based on total student enrollment (46,807 students vs. 27,437 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Utah Valley University is located in Orem, UT (Small City setting); Salt Lake Community College is in Salt Lake City, UT (Large Suburban setting).
• Utah Valley University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Salt Lake Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Utah Valley University 26:1; Salt Lake Community College 16:1.

UVU vs. Salt Lake Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVU or Salt Lake Community College? 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 Salt Lake Community College than UVU ($8,425 vs. $8,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Utah Valley University are 26.7% lower than at Salt Lake Community College ($12,150 vs. $16,578).
• Utah Valley University is 47% more expensive for in-state tuition than Salt Lake Community College (about $2,081 more per year; $6,507.00 vs. $4,426.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.8% higher at UVU than at Salt Lake Community College (about $4,245 more per year; $18,489.00 vs. $14,244.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Utah Valley University than at Salt Lake Community College (62% vs. 50%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salt Lake Community College students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Utah Valley University students ($6,640 vs. $5,670).

UVU vs. Salt Lake Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVU or Salt Lake Community College? 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 Salt Lake Community College and UVU.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVU - Open admission; Salt Lake Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVU Aug 1, 2027.

UVU vs. Salt Lake Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVU and Salt Lake Community College? 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).

• Graduates from Utah Valley University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Salt Lake Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,300 vs. $42,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Salt Lake Community College graduates have a $7,200 lower median loan debt than UVU graduates ($8,000 vs. $15,200).
• Among borrowers, Salt Lake Community College graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVU graduates ($82 vs. $157).
• More UVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salt Lake Community College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 55%)

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.