Southern Utah University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Southern Utah University charges a net price of $10,462/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $41,848. Graduates earn a median $50,296 ten years after entry, $1,936/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 21.6 years — a 20-year net return of -$3,128, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Southern Utah University's 21.6-year payback ranks #1,078 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 16% of them, and #10 of 24 in Utah.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $10,462/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $41,848 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $50,296 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,936/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $12,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 21.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$3,128 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Southern Utah University's own numbers. Net price $10,462 × 4 years = $41,848 total. Median earnings $50,296 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,936 a year of premium. $41,848 ÷ $1,936 = 21.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$3,128. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Southern Utah University students graduate with?
A median $12,500 in federal loans among completers, or 25% of the $50,296 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Southern Utah University students graduate?
61% finish their degree — 39% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $41,848 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $68,603 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Southern Utah University expensive compared with other Utah colleges?
Its $10,462 net price runs $5,340 below the $15,802 median across the 24 Utah colleges we profile, and $21,358 less across the full degree.