Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Utah Tech University

Utah Tech's general studies associate degree falls short of what similar programs deliver elsewhere in the state. At $26,493 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $1,600 less than the Utah median and rank in just the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six out of ten comparable programs in Utah produce better outcomes. Salt Lake Community College graduates from the same program earn $9,300 more annually, a significant gap that suggests location and institutional factors matter considerably here.

The positive news is manageable debt. At $8,434, students borrow below both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32—low enough that most graduates can realistically pay this off within a few years. The 19% earnings growth to $31,432 by year four also shows graduates aren't stuck at entry-level wages forever.

For Utah families, this program works best as an affordable stepping stone rather than a terminal degree. The low debt load makes it reasonable for students who plan to transfer to a bachelor's program or need a credential while working full-time. But if your child could access programs at Salt Lake Community or Weber State instead, those deliver substantially stronger earnings outcomes with similar debt levels. The value here is primarily about affordability and flexibility, not maximizing early-career income.