Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT 84720
About Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University is a public community college in Cedar City, Utah, serving roughly 9,289 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $10,462 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $6,962. Student demographics in federal data include White (72.2%) and Hispanic or Latino (8.9%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key findings
- Southern Utah University charges 26% above the national public median tuition ($6,962).
- Versus the Utah median, sticker tuition is 20% below.
- Completion within 150% of normal time is 60.67%.
- Median earnings 10 years after entry are $50,296.
Research findings
Finding
Modeled return on investment at Southern Utah University is strong.
Estimated ROI reaches about 1102% using Scorecard cost and 10-year earnings fields in this extract.
Interpretation: On this institution-wide model, typical graduate earnings over a decade substantially exceed estimated net education cost.
Limitation: ROI is institution-wide and not program-specific; individual outcomes vary by major, aid package, and labor market.
Finding
Southern Utah University awards credentials across a wide program mix.
IPEDS completions cover more than 90 distinct degree programs at this campus.
Interpretation: Institutional averages blend very different fields; program-level completions and earnings matter more than the campus mean alone.
Limitation: Completions counts are not enrollment demand and do not measure program quality.
Cost benchmarks
| Benchmark | Median Tuition | Median Net Price | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Utah University | $6,962 | $10,462 | 1 |
| Public (national median) | $5,512 | — | 1,688 |
| Utah (state median) | $8,658 | $10,360 | 21 |
| Town (locale median) | $9,600 | $14,971 | 1,517 |
| United States (national median) | $11,900 | $17,156 | — |
Compares this campus to school-type, state, and locale medians plus a U.S. national median (College Scorecard–derived). Locale groups campuses by NCES locale type; state tuition is the median published tuition among campuses in that state.
How expensive is Southern Utah University really?
Key findings
- Southern Utah University charges 26% above the national public median tuition ($6,962).
- Versus the Utah median, sticker tuition is 20% below.
Southern Utah University tuition
Published undergraduate tuition $6,962
Finding Southern Utah University charges 26% above the national public median tuition.
Evidence Published tuition is $6,962. That is 26% above the national public median ($5,512). Versus the Utah median ($8,658), sticker tuition is 20% below. Versus the U.S. median ($11,900), sticker is about 0.6×.
Method Sticker tuition compared with Scorecard-derived medians by ownership, state, locale, and national rollups when available.
Interpretation Published tuition measures sticker price relative to public and geographic peers; it does not equal what undergraduates typically pay after aid.
Limitation Sticker comparisons omit room, board, and institutional aid; average net price and income-band net prices are the stronger signals of typical family cost.
Evidence: published tuition at Southern Utah University versus school-type, state, locale, and U.S. medians.
Evidence: average net price at Southern Utah University versus state, locale, and U.S. medians.
What undergraduates typically pay
Finding Average net price at Southern Utah University is $10,462.
Evidence College Scorecard average net price is $10,462 (cost of attendance minus average grant aid for aided undergraduates). That is about $102 above the Utah median net price. Versus town campuses, net price runs $4,509 below the locale median.
Method Average net price from College Scorecard; compared with state, locale, and U.S. medians from EDsmart aggregates.
Interpretation Average net price is a stronger institutional cost signal than published tuition because it incorporates grant aid.
Limitation The campus average masks large differences by household income; income-band net prices can diverge sharply from the overall average.
Key takeaway At Southern Utah University, average net price exceeds published tuition alone because net price uses a fuller cost-of-attendance base.
Southern Utah University: research record
Canonical EDsmart Data findings for Southern Utah University—costs, outcomes, admissions, and programs—with evidence and methodology notes.
Research findings
Interpretation
The combination of completion and 10-year earnings is a multidimensional outcomes signal; it does not measure educational quality by itself.
Financial profile
In-state tuition
$6,962
Out-of-state tuition
$21,192
Avg. net price
$10,462
Net price by family income
| Income bracket | Avg. annual net price |
|---|---|
| $0–$30,000 | $6,070 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $7,235 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,297 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $12,487 |
| $110,001+ | $14,917 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $27,848. See cost investigation.
Student outcomes
Share of first-year students returning the following fall.
Graduation rate and 10-year earnings are in the hero strip above; see Graduates for more.
What Southern Utah University is known for
Top program completions
- General Studies2,448
- Business Administration and Management, General347
- Accounting198
- Education, General125
- Psychology, General119
See earnings & programs for more.
Admissions landscape
- Broad access — most applicants are admitted.
- Yield: 15% of admitted students enrolled.
- Midpoint ACT: 23
See Admissions for the full funnel.
Is Southern Utah University a good school?
Data-framed fit—not a prestige rating.
Southern Utah University is a good school for those looking for strong completion alongside solid mid-career earnings.
EDsmart Data does not assign an opinion score; this framing summarizes the strongest Scorecard signals for this campus.
More from the data
Location, control, enrollment, and aid context for Southern Utah University.
Campus
Location
Cedar City, UT
City / state
- ZIP
- 84720
- NCES locale
- Town remote
Compared with Town campuses nationally, net price is 30% below the median for Town campuses ($14,971 median).
Control
Institution type
Public
Control
- Region
- Rocky Mountains
- Carnegie
- Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Size
Enrollment
9,289
Total enrollment
- Undergraduate
- 19,694
- Graduate
- 2,318
- Full-time share
- 85%
Student aid
Debt & aid
$12,500
Median federal loan debt
- Pell grant share
- 24.88%
Total Cost, Aid & Default
Total Cost of Attendance
Tuition vs average net price after aid for Southern Utah University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Southern Utah University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Southern Utah University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $5,924 | $17,902 | $14,336 |
| 2014 | $6,138 | $18,596 | $12,951 |
| 2015 | $6,300 | $19,132 | $14,434 |
| 2016 | $6,530 | $19,810 | $13,858 |
| 2017 | $6,676 | $20,288 | $14,376 |
| 2018 | $6,770 | $20,586 | $14,284 |
| 2019 | $6,770 | $20,586 | $14,285 |
| 2020 | $6,770 | $20,586 | $13,578 |
| 2021 | $6,726 | $20,542 | $13,095 |
| 2022 | $6,770 | $20,586 | $11,645 |
| 2023 | $6,770 | $20,586 | $11,432 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
How difficult is it to get in?
Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Applicants → admits → first-time enrollment from College Scorecard / IPEDS. Bar widths are scaled for readability at highly selective schools.
Test Scores
Midpoint 23 (middle 50% not reported)
Scores for enrollees who submitted tests (College Scorecard).
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA range is not available for this institution.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Southern Utah University reported total enrollment of about 9,289 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 45% male and 55% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (72.2%), Hispanic or Latino (8.9%), and Non-Resident Alien (6.6%). About 24.88% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 32.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
84.9% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Southern Utah University in 2024 is 9,289 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 19,694 students. Graduate enrollment is about 2,318 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
75.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
Largest share of total enrollment in our College Scorecard extract.
College Scorecard student demographics (total enrollment shares).
Do students complete their programs?
Time to Complete
33.31% 100% Completion Time
60.67% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 33.31% of students graduating from Southern Utah University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- General Studies: 39% male / 61% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 58% male / 42% female
- Accounting: 56% male / 44% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Largest group by summed IPEDS award counts across reported programs.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
Southern Utah University graduates earn a median of $50,296 ten years after entry
Finding Earnings, debt, and program mix define the financial profile of Southern Utah University.
Evidence Median earnings 10 years after entry: $50,296. Median federal loan debt: $12,500. Average net price used in cost models: $10,462.
Method College Scorecard median earnings (10-year), median debt, and EDsmart ROI / payback models using campus net price.
Interpretation Institution-wide ROI and debt ratios summarize campus averages; program choice still drives individual outcomes.
Limitation Salary reflects median earnings ten years after entry; ROI is not program-specific.
Key takeaway Southern Utah University graduates report median earnings of $50,296 ten years after entry—an institution-wide outcomes signal, not a program guarantee.
Return on Investment
Debt and 4-year net cost vs. cumulative 10-year median earnings for Southern Utah University.
Top Programs by Completions
Largest 10 programs by IPEDS completions (90 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
IPEDS award counts for the largest programs at Southern Utah University.
Employment Outcomes
Median earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after entry for Southern Utah University graduates.
How financially powerful is this institution?
Finding: federal finance and Scorecard instructional fields for Southern Utah University—endowment assets (fiscal year 2023), instructional staffing and expenditure. Compared with state, regional, and U.S. medians from EDsmart Data institutional financials.
Institutional endowment
$36.5M
End-of-year assets · Fiscal year 2023
- Utah median 0.63× the median ($57.7M)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.9× the median ($19.5M)
- U.S. median 1.4× the median ($26.4M)
- Utah median 0.57× the median ($5,500)
- Rocky Mountains median 0.31× the median ($10,274)
- U.S. median 0.26× the median ($12,100)
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 73.3%
- Utah median 2.9 pp above median (70.5%)
- Rocky Mountains median 0.0 pp at median (73.3%)
- U.S. median 15.4 pp above median (58.0%)
- Average faculty salary (monthly): $8,847
- Utah median 1.1× the median ($8,316)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.2× the median ($7,458)
- U.S. median 1.2× the median ($7,615)
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $7,459
- Utah median 1.2× the median ($6,230)
- Rocky Mountains median 1.1× the median ($6,852)
- U.S. median near the median ($7,288)
Instructional metrics from College Scorecard. Peer medians are campus-level; see the institutional financials deep dive. Detailed non-instructional staff counts are not included here.
Southern Utah University at a glance
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University is a public institution in Cedar City, UT, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs.
- Largest programs (IPEDS awards)
- General StudiesBusiness Administration and Management, GeneralAccounting
- Largest enrollment groups
- White or Caucasian72.2%Hispanic or Latino8.9%Non-Resident Alien6.6%
Schools near Southern Utah University
Other campuses in Cedar City, UT when available, plus nearby institutions in Utah.
Similar schools
Peers matched by the same EDsmart outcomes grade (Grade C) within Utah, then by similar ownership and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Southern Utah University located?
Southern Utah University is located in Cedar City, UT.
What is Southern Utah University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Southern Utah University is 81.8% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 19,190 applicants and 15,443 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
What is Southern Utah University's tuition?
Southern Utah University tuition (published undergraduate sticker price) is $6,962 in the latest College Scorecard data. Average net price after grant aid is $10,462 for undergraduates receiving Title IV aid.
How much does Southern Utah University cost?
Reported tuition is $6,962 and average net price is $10,462 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,236 annually.
What explains Southern Utah University's return on investment in EDsmart Data?
EDsmart Data models ROI using campus average net price ($10,462), completion (60.7% within 150% of normal time where reported), and median earnings ten years after entry ($50,296). High completion and strong mid-career earnings relative to net cost raise modeled ROI; the estimate is institution-wide and not program-specific. Debt-to-earnings ratios, when available, further contextualize borrowing pressure. Limitations include suppressed fields, program mix, and labor-market variation over time.
What is the student body demographics at Southern Utah University?
Southern Utah University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 19,694 students, White (72.2%), Hispanic or Latino (8.9%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Southern Utah University?
About 32.1% of students at Southern Utah University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Southern Utah University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Southern Utah University reports midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of Southern Utah University earn?
Median earnings are $41,147 six years after entry and $50,296 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Southern Utah University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 60.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Southern Utah University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $12,500.
Is Southern Utah University public or private?
Southern Utah University is a public institution located in Cedar City, UT.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology & Data Scope
This profile uses institution-level fields from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, merged with IPEDS directory attributes where needed for locale, ownership, and program completions.
Benchmark rows compare this campus to NCES locale-type medians (for example Suburban) from our processed location extract. Implied U.S. medians are derived from locale-vs-national percentage fields in that extract—not a separate national Scorecard table.