Degree Dividend
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Salt Lake Community College vs Ensign College: which has better ROI?

Public, Salt Lake City UT · vs · Private nonprofit, Salt Lake City UT

The verdict

Ensign College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $43,296 in 19.1 years versus not at all at Salt Lake Community College, on median earnings of $50,630 vs $47,867 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSalt Lake Community CollegeEnsign College
Net price / yr$9,804$10,824
Total net cost$19,608$43,296
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,867$50,630
Median debt$8,003
Payback19.1 yrs
20-year net return-$29,468$2,104

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Salt Lake Community College or Ensign College?

Salt Lake Community College, at $9,804 a year after aid versus $10,824 — a gap of $1,020 a year, or $23,688 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Salt Lake Community College or Ensign College graduates earn more?

Ensign College graduates report a median $50,630 ten years after entry, $2,763 more than the $47,867 at Salt Lake Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

43% of students finish at Ensign College, against 29% at Salt Lake Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Salt Lake Community College vs Ensign College: frequently asked questions

Is Salt Lake Community College or Ensign College a better value?
Ensign College. It clears its $43,296 net cost in about 19.1 years versus no clear payback at Salt Lake Community College, on median earnings of $50,630 vs $47,867 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Salt Lake Community College or Ensign College?
Salt Lake Community College: $9,804/yr net price after aid versus $10,824/yr at Ensign College — a difference of $1,020 a year, or about $23,688 over four years.
Do Salt Lake Community College or Ensign College graduates earn more?
Ensign College graduates earn a median $50,630 ten years after entry, versus $47,867 at Salt Lake Community College — a $2,763 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.