Southern Utah University vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Utah University in Cedar City, 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 Southern Utah University based on total student enrollment (36,894 students vs. 15,444 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Utah University is located in Cedar City, UT (Remote Town setting); University of Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Southern Utah University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Utah University 22:1; University of Utah 19:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Utah University are 30.6% lower than at University of Utah ($9,236 vs. $13,315).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.6% higher at Utah than at Southern Utah University (about $9,668 more per year; $30,860 vs. $21,192).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Utah University than at University of Utah (94% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 30.3% larger than aid received by Southern Utah University students ($12,744 vs. $9,779).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Utah than at Southern Utah University (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Southern Utah University, test optional at Utah.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Utah University Sep 8, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Utah average a 3.64 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Southern Utah University (3.58).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at Southern Utah University vs. 26% at Utah.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Utah University graduates have a $2,425 lower median loan debt than Utah graduates ($12,575 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Utah University graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Utah graduates ($130 vs. $155).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Utah University students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 69%).

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