BYU vs. Utah

Brigham Young University and University of Utah side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Brigham Young University
University of Utah

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BYU (67.8% admitted vs 86%). Typical SAT 1370 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $16,694 at BYU vs $16,583 at Utah. Utah in-state tuition is about $2,932 more per year.
  • Graduation: BYU 78% vs Utah 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BYU $69,100 vs Utah $61,300 (median).
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Key differences

Brigham Young University University of Utah
Acceptance rate
BYU more selective
BYU67.8%
Utah86%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BYU higher
BYU1270-1460
Utah1190-1380
Average net price
About even
BYU$16,694
Utah$16,583
In-state tuition
BYU $2,932 less
BYU$6,688
Utah$9,620
Out-of-state tuition
BYU $24,172 less
BYU$6,688
Utah$30,860
Graduation rate
BYU +23 pts
BYU78%
Utah55%
Median earnings (10 years)
BYU +$7,800
BYU$69,100
Utah$61,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BYU 11,698
  • Utah 26,822
  • Admitted
  • BYU 7,929
  • Utah 23,062
  • Acceptance rate
  • BYU 67.8%
  • Utah 86%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BYU 77.5%
  • Utah 26%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BYU 1370
  • Utah 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • BYU 30
  • Utah 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • BYU 3.89
  • Utah 3.64
  • Typical high school grades
  • BYU A
  • Utah A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BYU Very High
  • Utah Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • BYU Low
  • Utah
  • SAT range
  • BYU 1270-1460
  • Utah 1190-1380
  • ACT range
  • BYU 28-32
  • Utah 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • BYU Test optional
  • Utah Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BYU Dec 16, 2026
  • Utah Apr 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BYU $6,688
  • Utah $9,620
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BYU $6,688
  • Utah $30,860
  • Room & board
  • BYU $10,396
  • Utah $13,315
  • Average net price
  • BYU $16,694
  • Utah $16,583
  • Average grant aid
  • BYU $6,088
  • Utah $12,744
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BYU 51%
  • Utah 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • BYU 78%
  • Utah 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BYU $69,100
  • Utah $61,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • BYU 80%
  • Utah 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BYU $11,000
  • Utah $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • BYU $113
  • Utah $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BYU 21:1
  • Utah 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • BYU
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Utah
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Location
  • BYU Provo, UT
  • Utah Salt Lake City, UT
  • Setting
  • BYU Midsize City
  • Utah Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • BYU 35,873
  • Utah 36,894
  • Type
  • BYU Private 4 Year
  • Utah Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BYU #131
  • Utah #258

Comparable Facts

Compare Brigham Young University in Provo, UT with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Utah is larger than BYU based on total student enrollment (36,894 students vs. 35,873 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brigham Young University are 21.9% lower than at University of Utah ($10,396 vs. $13,315).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 361.4% higher at Utah than at Brigham Young University (about $24,172 more per year; $30,860 vs. $6,688).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at Brigham Young University (73% vs. 51%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 109.3% larger than aid received by Brigham Young University students ($12,744 vs. $6,088).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 5 points higher at BYU than at Utah (30 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BYU and Utah.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BYU Dec 16, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BYU average a 3.89 high school GPA, 0.25 higher than at Utah (3.64).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 77.5% at BYU vs. 26% at Utah.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Brigham Young University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Utah graduates ($11,000 vs. $15,000).
  • Among borrowers, BYU graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Utah graduates ($113 vs. $155).
  • More BYU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 72%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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