- Study reveals college education remains a relative bargain for most Utahns.
- College students in the Beehive State spend the nation's lowest share of their annual median income on higher education costs.
- Utah college students also have the country's lowest average of student debt — and lower proportion of students with debt.
The Beehive State is ranked at the bottom of a just-released higher education poll — and that’s a good thing.
A WalletHub study released Thursday revealed that Utahns spend the lowest share of their median annual household income on higher education.
The personal finance website analyzed the price of full-time, in-state undergraduate tuition, campus room and board and other college costs in 49 states — then adjusted those figures to match each state’s respective median annual household income.
Utah was ranked No. 49 — claiming a welcome spot at the bottom of the list.
Alaska was not included in the study due to data limitations.
According to the study, Utahns pursuing higher education in the state spend about 27% of the state’s median annual household income on college costs.
That’s a massive difference from Pennsylvania — the state with the highest “college education cost” percentage. Keystone State residents are reportedly paying over 72% on the state’s median annual household income to go to college.
The relatively low cost of going to college in Utah is likely a key factor in current local enrollment rates.
Recent data released by the Utah System of Higher Education revealed enrollment across the state’s public higher education institutions rose again — with fall 2025 enrollment reaching over 216,000 students across the state’s eight degree-granting institutions.
This year’s number is an increase of 4.2% from last year. Seven of the state’s eight higher education institutions saw an individual increase in enrollment, with Salt Lake Community College recording the greatest increase.
Only Snow College reported a tiny enrollment decrease.
Meanwhile, enrollment is also up this year at Brigham Young University — a private institution sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is widely regarded as one of the nation’s best value colleges.
Utahns also carrying low student debt
Despite broad data confirming the long-term financial and health benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree, many Americans in recent years have grown skeptical of the value of higher education.
Much of that distrust is connected to the rising costs of tuition and increases in student debt across the country.
The cost of attending a four-year public college in the United States has, on average, risen over 30% over the past two decades, according to WalletHub.
Meanwhile, a total of 42.5 million borrowers have federal student loan debt. The average student in the United States borrows over $30,000 to pursue a bachelor’s degree, according to the Education Data Initiative.
“College education is getting more and more difficult to afford, with cost increases well outpacing inflation,” said analyst Chip Lupo in the WalletHub report.
“As a result, people have been forced to take out more and more loans, with the average student loan debt now standing at nearly $42,000.”
Once again, Utah appears to be an outlier.
An earlier WalletHub study revealed Utah college students have the country’s lowest average student debt and the lower proportion of students with debt.
Utah lawmakers and educators have also championed three-year bachelor’s degree programs as a way to lessen the costs of a college education while easing student loan debt.
Several higher education institutions in Utah are at various stages of offering accelerated bachelor’s degree programs.
5 higher education/high cost states
The states where students are spending the most on higher education? Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts and Illinois.
Pennsylvania residents, according to WalletHub, spend an average of $55,144 on college costs per year. That’s about 72% of the state’s median household income.
Meanwhile, higher education-seeking folks living in Rhode Island have to pay about 71% of their median income, followed by a few percentage points by New York — where it costs an average of $57,788 for a single year of in-state tuition, on-campus room and board and other college costs.
Tips on saving for college
WalletHub analysts offered six tips for Americans hoping to save a few bucks on higher education.
1 - Go to a state school.
It’s often significantly cheaper to pursue undergraduate studies at a state school in one’s home state. For example, a year of in-state tuition, room and board, and other college expenses in the cheapest states only costs around $25,000.
2 - Apply for scholarships & grants
Besides applying for traditional financial assistance programs such as the Federal Pell Grant, students can seek out a variety of scholarships and grants from community groups and nonprofits.
3 - Budget carefully
College students should always know the specifics of their money coming in — and their money going out.
4 - Cook your own food
The costs of DoorDash, fast food drive-throughs and the college dining hall can add up quickly. So when possible, switch to making your own meals.
5 - Buy used books
While digital books are becoming increasingly common in college classes, many still require purchasing a physical textbook with costly markups.
Search for used copies from third-party sites or former students.
6 - Get a job
If you’re not already working, seek employment that works with class schedules and can at least cover expenses outside of tuition.