Utah Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Utah College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Utah institutions.
Top Utah Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Utah | Public 4-yr | $9,800 | $31,072 | 27,000 |
| Utah State University | Public 4-yr | $8,580 | $24,770 | 23,800 |
| Brigham Young University (private) | Private | $6,496 | $6,496 | 31,500 |
| Weber State University | Public 4-yr | $6,710 | $19,640 | 23,100 |
| Utah Valley University | Public 4-yr | $6,270 | $18,310 | 42,400 |
| Southern Utah University | Public 4-yr | $7,580 | $22,220 | 13,700 |
| Dixie State / Utah Tech | Public 4-yr | $6,500 | $19,140 | 13,000 |
| Salt Lake Community College | Community | $4,000 | $12,700 | 28,000 |
Utah State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).
Utah Opportunity Scholarship
For Utah residents attending eligible USHE public institutions with demonstrated financial need.
Utah Promise Scholarship
Last-dollar scholarship covering tuition gap at Utah public institutions.
Regents' Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for UT residents completing required high school coursework with GPA/test score thresholds.
New Century Scholarship
For UT residents completing associate degree by end of senior year of high school.
T.H. Bell Teaching Incentive
For UT residents pursuing teaching degrees with teaching commitment at UT schools.
Student Loan Options for Utah Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Utah have a state student loan program?
No. Utah does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Utah residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Utah state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Utah students and families.
How much does college cost in Utah?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Utah public four-year universities is about $8,700 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $22,100 on campus for Utah residents and $33,200 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Utah?
Utah borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $31,800. Total outstanding federal student debt for Utah residents is approximately $11.3 billion.
Does Utah offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Utah administers the Opportunity Scholarship (need-based), Utah Promise Scholarship (last-dollar), Regents' Scholarship (merit-based, up to $6,000), New Century Scholarship (associate degree path), and the T.H. Bell Teaching Incentive.
Does Utah have a state student loan program?
No. Utah does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Utah residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Utah colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
Utah community colleges average $4,000 per year. Utah Valley University is the lowest-priced four-year public at $6,270, followed by Dixie/Utah Tech. U of Utah is the highest public at $9,800. BYU, though private, offers below-average tuition at $6,496.
What scholarships are available for Utah residents?
Key awards include the Opportunity Scholarship, Utah Promise, Regents' Scholarship, New Century Scholarship, and T.H. Bell Teaching Incentive. BYU offers low tuition for LDS-affiliated students.
Related Utah Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Utah public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- USHE program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Colin Graves Reviewed by: Chris Muller