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

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

The verdict

Utah State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $59,744 in 10.6 years versus 19.1 years at Ensign College, on median earnings of $54,022 vs $50,630 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUtah State UniversityEnsign College
Net price / yr$14,936$10,824
Total net cost$59,744$43,296
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,022$50,630
Median debt$14,340
Payback10.6 yrs19.1 yrs
20-year net return$53,496$2,104

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

Which is cheaper, Utah State University or Ensign College?

Ensign College, at $10,824 a year after aid versus $14,936 — a gap of $4,112 a year, or $16,448 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Utah State University or Ensign College graduates earn more?

Utah State University graduates report a median $54,022 ten years after entry, $3,392 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?

59% of students finish at Utah State University, 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.

Utah State University vs Ensign College: frequently asked questions

Is Utah State University or Ensign College a better value?
Utah State University. It clears its $59,744 net cost in about 10.6 years versus 19.1 years at Ensign College, on median earnings of $54,022 vs $50,630 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Utah State University or Ensign College?
Ensign College: $10,824/yr net price after aid versus $14,936/yr at Utah State University — a difference of $4,112 a year, or about $16,448 over four years.
Do Utah State University or Ensign College graduates earn more?
Utah State University graduates earn a median $54,022 ten years after entry, versus $50,630 at Ensign College — a $3,392 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.