by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Utah? This list ranks 11 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. These are our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 11 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
After analyzing 11 schools in Utah to find which ones offer the best value. We focus on objective measures, not subjective opinion.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. View our full ranking methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Explore the best values below:
Leading the list is Salt Lake Community College, our #1 best value in Utah. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Salt Lake Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $10,855. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Utah Valley University, which ranked #2 this year. This public school is set in Orem, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete their program here. Utah Valley University alumni report median earnings of $55,486 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Governors University earned it the #3 place in Utah. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Western Governors University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,658. Typical student debt is $23,277. Western Governors University alumni report median earnings of $60,615 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,277 median debt.
You'll get strong value at Snow College, which ranked #4 this year. This public school is set in Ephraim, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt is $10,440. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,022. Set against $10,440 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 11 schools in Utah in this year's value ranking, Latter Day Saints Business College landed the #5 spot. Located in Salt Lake City, UT, Latter Day Saints Business College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,004. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,630 ten years after entry.
Weber State University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Located in Ogden, UT, Weber State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. The median program debt is $19,176. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,287 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Southern Utah University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Cedar City, UT, Southern Utah University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. The median program debt is $12,886. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,296. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Utah placed #8 among the best values in Utah. Set in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete their program here. University Of Utah alumni report median earnings of $67,170 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah has an acceptance rate of 86%.
Utah State University landed the #9 spot for value in Utah this year. Utah State University is a public school based in Logan, UT. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. The median program debt is $16,191. Median earnings reach $54,022 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #10 among the best values in Utah. This private not-for-profit school is set in Provo, UT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Brigham Young University Provo students take on a median of $12,184 in debt. Brigham Young University Provo alumni report median earnings of $75,790 a decade after entry. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 68% of those who apply are admitted.
Ogden Weber Technical College landed the #11 spot for value in Utah this year. Based in Ogden, UT, Ogden Weber Technical College is a public institution. Ogden Weber Technical College students take on a median of $8,833 in debt. Median earnings reach $35,032 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bridgerland Technical College landed the #12 spot for value in Utah this year. This public school is set in Logan, UT. Typical student debt is $12,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,347. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #13 among the best values in Utah. This public school is set in Saint George, UT. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Typical student debt is $18,666. Median earnings reach $44,570 ten years out. Set against $18,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Davis Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Kaysville, UT. Typical student debt is $6,262. Davis Technical College alumni report median earnings of $41,734 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Taylor Andrews Academy St George came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Taylor Andrews Academy St George is a private for-profit school based in St. George, UT. Students borrow a median of $8,358 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $17,368 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Evans Hairstyling College St George ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Saint George, UT, Evans Hairstyling College St George is a private for-profit institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $16,916.
Paul Mitchell The School Salt Lake City landed the #17 spot for value in Utah this year. Set in Holladay, UT, Paul Mitchell The School Salt Lake City is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $10,556 in student loans. Paul Mitchell The School Salt Lake City alumni report median earnings of $26,893 a decade after entry. Set against $10,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Medspa Academies landed the #18 spot for value in Utah this year. Based in South Jordan, UT, Medspa Academies is a private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $12,394 to complete their program here.
American Beauty Academy West Valley Campus came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Located in West Valley City, UT, American Beauty Academy West Valley Campus is a private for-profit institution. American Beauty Academy West Valley Campus alumni report median earnings of $20,236 a decade after entry.
American Beauty Academy landed the #20 spot for value in Utah this year. This private for-profit school is set in Payson, UT. American Beauty Academy alumni report median earnings of $20,236 a decade after entry.
Paul Mitchell The School Logan ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Logan, UT, Paul Mitchell The School Logan is a private for-profit institution. Typical student debt is $10,556. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $23,620. Set against $10,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Taylor Andrews Academy Of Hair Design West Jordan landed the #22 spot for value in Utah this year. This private for-profit school is set in West Jordan, UT. Taylor Andrews Academy Of Hair Design West Jordan students take on a median of $10,556 in debt. Taylor Andrews Academy Of Hair Design West Jordan alumni report median earnings of $36,048 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,556 median debt.
Aveda Institute Provo landed the #23 spot for value in Utah this year. Based in Provo, UT, Aveda Institute Provo is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $8,444 in student loans. Aveda Institute Provo alumni report median earnings of $20,414 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Evans Hairstyling College Cedar City came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Cedar City, UT. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their program here.
Hairitage Hair Academy landed the #25 spot for value in Utah this year. Based in Saint George, UT, Hairitage Hair Academy is a private for-profit institution. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,043.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 11 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.