Business/Commerce (Associate's Degree) at Southern Utah University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$36,591

Est. from national median (124 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,000

Est. from national median (103 programs)

Analysis

Southern Utah's two-year business program sits notably below what peer programs in Utah typically produce. While similar business programs across the state—like Salt Lake Community College—report first-year earnings around $43,359, graduates here are estimated to earn closer to $36,600, a $7,000 gap that compounds quickly over time. With four business associate's programs operating in Utah, this one appears to lag behind its in-state competition.

The estimated $11,000 in debt is modest and below the national median for these programs, which keeps the financial risk manageable. A debt load that represents just 30% of first-year earnings means most graduates could reasonably tackle repayment while establishing themselves in entry-level business roles. The real question is whether starting $7,000 behind similar graduates in the same state makes strategic sense, particularly when a program like Salt Lake Community College offers stronger estimated returns.

For families weighing this option: the lower debt is encouraging, but the earnings gap with other Utah programs matters more than any modest savings upfront. If Southern Utah offers specific advantages—location, smaller classes, unique networking—those could justify the trade-off. Otherwise, compare carefully against Salt Lake Community College or other in-state alternatives that appear to launch graduates into higher-paying positions from day one.

Where Southern Utah University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Utah

Business/Commerce associates's programs at peer institutions in Utah (4 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Southern Utah UniversityCedar City	$6,770	$36,591*	—	$11,000*	—
Salt Lake Community CollegeSalt Lake City	$4,257	$43,359*	$53,497	$9,525*	0.22
National Median	—	$36,591*	—	$13,437*	0.37

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Southern Utah University, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 124 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.