Utah State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Utah State University charges a net price of $14,936/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $59,744. Graduates earn a median $54,022 ten years after entry, $5,662/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 10.6 years — a 20-year net return of $53,496, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Utah State University's 10.6-year payback ranks #818 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 36% of them, and #8 of 24 in Utah.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $14,936/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $59,744 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $54,022 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $5,662/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $14,340 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 10.6 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $53,496 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Utah State University's own numbers. Net price $14,936 × 4 years = $59,744 total. Median earnings $54,022 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $5,662 a year of premium. $59,744 ÷ $5,662 = 10.6 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $53,496. 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 Utah State University students graduate with?
A median $14,340 in federal loans among completers, or 27% of the $54,022 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Utah State University students graduate?
59% finish their degree — 41% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $59,744 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $101,261 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Utah State University expensive compared with other Utah colleges?
Its $14,936 net price runs $866 below the $15,802 median across the 24 Utah colleges we profile, and $3,462 less across the full degree.