UVU vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

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

Utah Valley University is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (46,807 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Utah Valley University is located in Orem, UT (Small City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Utah Valley University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Utah Valley University 26:1; University of Utah 19:1.

UVU vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVU 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 Utah Valley University than Utah ($8,721 vs. $16,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Utah Valley University are 8.7% lower than at University of Utah ($12,150 vs. $13,315).
• University of Utah is 47.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVU (about $3,113 more per year; $9,620.00 vs. $6,507.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.9% higher at Utah than at Utah Valley University (about $12,371 more per year; $30,860.00 vs. $18,489.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at Utah Valley University (73% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 124.8% larger than aid received by Utah Valley University students ($12,744 vs. $5,670).

UVU vs. Utah Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVU 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 UVU.

• Utah Valley University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVU - Open admission; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UVU Aug 1, 2027; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Utah students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UVU (3.52).

UVU vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVU 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 Utah's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Utah Valley University's (25%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $12,000 more per year than UVU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $200 lower median loan debt than UVU graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,200).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVU graduates ($155 vs. $157).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UVU students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.