SALT LAKE CITY – Four of Utah’s state-run public colleges and universities have been included in a national ranking of the 50 most affordable higher education institutions in America.
Utah Tech University in Saint George was ranked at Number 20 on the list compiled by data collection experts at Research.Com.
Also listed in that national ranking were Southern Utah University in Cedar City at Number 31; Utah Valley University in Orem at Number 32; and Utah State University here in Logan at Number 49.
The Research.Com ranking was based on a survey of more than 1,700 colleges and universities, considering total average costs for an academic year for tuition, room, board and books/supplies.
The intent of that study was to provide prospective students with key insights into affordable college options across the country.
That research found that the average American student enrolled full-time in higher education spends about $33,000 per year to attend an average college or university.
By comparison, the average student at Utah Tech spends about $14,525 per year, including $6,075 for tuition and fees; $3,300 to live on-campus; $800 for books and supplies; about $4,350 for meal expenses.
“These institutions (like Utah Tech) offer an ideal balance of low tuition and living costs,” according to Imed Bouchrika, a spokesperson for Research.Com.
“They provide accessible pathways to higher education for a wide range of learners.”
The Research.Com study found that the most affordable institution in the United States was Panola College in Carthage, TX, where students spend less than $10,000 per year. Like most things, however, you tend to get what you pay for at Panola, which is a community college offering only associate degrees and certificate programs.
Expenses at Utah’s other universities on the list of affordable institutions have to be considered modest, however, in comparison to the national average.
At Number 31 on the Research.Com ranking, the average student at Southern Utah University spends nearly $16,000 per year, about half the national average. That includes $6,770 for tuition and fees; $4,038 to live on-campus; $800 for books and supplies; about $4,378 for meal expenses.
At Number 32 on the ranking, the average student at Utah Valley University spends about $16,200 per year, including $6,270 for tuition and fees; $5,321 to live on-campus; $670 for books and supplies; about $3,913 for meal expenses.
Finally, at Number 49 on the Research.Com ranking, the average student at Utah State University spends about $17,377 per year, including $8,305 for tuition and fees; $4,744 to live on-campus; $840 for books and supplies; about $3,488 for meal expenses.
“It’s encouraging to see student have affordable options across the U.S.,” Bouchrika observed, “where they can pursue higher education without facing overwhelming financial burdens.”
But the Research.Com study was based on average costs for living on-campus, which may not reflect the financial experiences of other students either commuting to schools or living in nearby communities.
For more information on this study, parties can go online to http://research.com/best-colleges
The Research.Com team is a diverse group of over 60 professionals, including data analysts, researchers, journalists, editors, education specialists and IT developers, all of whom work remotely.
They use machine learning algorithms and big-data analytics to provide users with up-to-date information on the most popular, affordable and worthwhile U.S. colleges and degree types.