Auburn vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

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

University of Utah is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (36,894 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; University of Utah 19:1.

Auburn vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn 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 Auburn ($16,583 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 19.9% lower than at Auburn University ($13,315 vs. $16,626).
• Auburn University is 34% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $3,270 more per year; $12,890.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.2% higher at Auburn than at University of Utah (about $4,062 more per year; $34,922.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Auburn University than at University of Utah (80% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 17.2% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($12,744 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. Utah Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn 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 Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 40 points higher than at Utah (1290).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 26% at Utah.

Auburn vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn 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).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Auburn graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $54,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.