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University of Utah vs Ensign College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

University of Utah has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $64,800 in 3.4 years versus 19.1 years at Ensign College, on median earnings of $67,170 vs $50,630 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of UtahEnsign College
Net price / yr$16,200$10,824
Total net cost$64,800$43,296
Median earnings, 10 yrs$67,170$50,630
Median debt$19,000
Payback3.4 yrs19.1 yrs
20-year net return$311,400$2,104

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

Which is cheaper, University of Utah or Ensign College?

Ensign College, at $10,824 a year after aid versus $16,200 — a gap of $5,376 a year, or $21,504 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Utah or Ensign College graduates earn more?

University of Utah graduates report a median $67,170 ten years after entry, $16,540 more than the $50,630 at Ensign 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?

65% of students finish at University of Utah, against 43% at Ensign 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.

University of Utah vs Ensign College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Utah or Ensign College a better value?
University of Utah. It clears its $64,800 net cost in about 3.4 years versus 19.1 years at Ensign College, on median earnings of $67,170 vs $50,630 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Utah or Ensign College?
Ensign College: $10,824/yr net price after aid versus $16,200/yr at University of Utah — a difference of $5,376 a year, or about $21,504 over four years.
Do University of Utah or Ensign College graduates earn more?
University of Utah graduates earn a median $67,170 ten years after entry, versus $50,630 at Ensign College — a $16,540 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.