Southern Utah University (SUU) vs Idaho State

Southern Utah University (SUU) and Idaho State University (ISU) are two public universities located in the western United States, each offering a unique educational experience. SUU, nestled in the scenic town of Cedar City, Utah, boasts a smaller student body and a focus on undergraduate education, while ISU, situated in the vibrant city of Pocatello, Idaho, offers a wider range of graduate programs and a larger student population. With acceptance rates of 86% and 84% respectively, both universities welcome a diverse student body, creating a rich and inclusive campus environment. While SUU excels in fields like business, education, and health professions, ISU shines in areas such as engineering, nursing, and pharmacy. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more about these institutions, including their graduation rates, tuition fees, and available scholarships, and make an informed decision about your higher education journey.

	Idaho State University	Southern Utah University
Overview
Location	Pocatello, Idaho	Cedar City, Utah
Campus setting	City: Small	Town: Remote
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	65.0%	73.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	88.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $65
SAT range	N/A	1030 - 1240
ACT range	N/A	20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score		4.0%
Students submitting ACT score		81.0%
Total number of applicants		17,209
Total number of admissions given out		15,269
Admitted students who chose to enroll		2,564
Yield rate		16.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)		N/A
High school GPA	N/A	Required
Recommendation letters	N/A	Not required
High school transcript	N/A	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,172 Out of state: $40,626	In state: $20,626 Out of state: $34,442
Average net price	$13,012	$12,372
Tuition	In state: $5,928 Out of state: $23,382	In state: $6,006 Out of state: $19,822
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $2,950 Meal plan: $4,390	Room/dormitory: $3,350 Meal plan: $4,150
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	86.0% Average amount $8,089	90.0% Average amount $9,899
Students receiving federal student loan	36.0% Average amount $4,829	66.0% Average amount $5,494
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $9,511	2.0% Average amount $21,408

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,818 Men 41.1% Women 58.9%	12,080 Men 40.4% Women 59.6%
Graduate students	2,317 Men 39.0% Women 61.0%	1,531 Men 46.7% Women 53.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	8.9%	25.3%
International students	1.8%	3.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity	1,213	1,004
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Idaho California Utah Washington Wyoming	Utah Nevada California Arizona Texas

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Liberal Arts Education Engineering Technologies	Education Liberal Arts Business Visual & Performing Arts Health Professions
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	23:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	39.1%	54.7%
Dropout rate	36.1%	42.1%
Transferred out	19.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $107,409 Year 2: $124,909 Year 3: $126,262 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $109,657 Year 2: $103,424 Year 3: $112,338 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $77,213 Year 3: $77,745 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,905 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $77,011 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $71,957 Year 3: $74,473 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $69,546 Year 2: $71,202 Year 3: $74,340 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,126 Year 2: $55,964 Year 3: $69,853 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,021 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $64,966 Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $59,309 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $64,676 Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $62,273	Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $75,943 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,352 Year 2: $59,042 Year 3: $65,535 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $58,251 Year 2: $59,320 Year 3: $63,725 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,826 Year 2: $53,108 Year 3: $57,687 Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: $53,525 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $45,740 Year 2: $50,439 Year 3: $53,227 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $53,187 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,254 Year 2: $52,107 Year 3: $50,515 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $46,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,792 Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $44,213

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Southern Utah University (SUU) and Idaho State University (ISU)?

SUU is a smaller, primarily undergraduate-focused university known for its outdoor recreation programs and close-knit community. ISU is a larger, research-oriented university with a broader range of graduate programs and a stronger emphasis on health sciences and technical fields. SUU is located in Cedar City, Utah, near several national parks, while ISU is in Pocatello, Idaho, a larger city with more urban amenities.
Which university, SUU or ISU, is more affordable?

Generally, SUU tends to have slightly lower tuition and fees compared to ISU, especially for out-of-state students. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like housing, meal plans, and personal expenses. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition rates and cost of attendance calculators.
How do the academic programs at SUU and ISU compare?

SUU excels in programs like outdoor recreation, aviation, education, and performing arts. ISU is strong in health professions (nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy), engineering, nuclear science, and business. While both offer a range of undergraduate degrees, ISU has a more extensive selection of graduate programs and research opportunities.
What is the campus environment like at SUU versus ISU?

SUU offers a more intimate and community-oriented campus environment due to its smaller size. Students often describe it as friendly and welcoming. ISU, being larger, has a more diverse student body and a wider range of clubs, organizations, and activities. The campus atmosphere at ISU is more akin to a larger state university.
Which university is better for outdoor recreation opportunities?

SUU is exceptionally well-positioned for outdoor recreation. Located near Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Cedar Breaks National Monument, it offers unparalleled access to hiking, climbing, camping, and other outdoor activities. While ISU also has outdoor opportunities, SUU's location gives it a distinct advantage in this area.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between SUU and ISU?

Both SUU and ISU offer career services to assist students with job searching, resume writing, and interview skills. ISU, with its stronger ties to industries in health sciences and technology, may offer more internship opportunities in those specific fields. SUU's career services are tailored to its academic strengths, such as outdoor recreation and education.
What are the admission requirements for SUU and ISU?

Admission requirements for both universities typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and a minimum GPA. Specific requirements may vary depending on the program of study. It's recommended to check the admissions websites of both SUU and ISU for the most current and detailed information.
How do the student housing options differ between SUU and ISU?

Both SUU and ISU offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and themed housing communities. ISU, being a larger university, generally has a greater number of on-campus housing units available. The specific amenities and costs of housing vary, so it's best to explore the housing websites of each university.
What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available at SUU and ISU?

Both SUU and ISU offer a range of financial aid options, including federal grants, state grants, loans, and scholarships. Scholarship opportunities are available based on academic merit, financial need, and specific program affiliations. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid at both institutions. Check each university's financial aid website for specific scholarship deadlines and requirements.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

ISU generally has a stronger focus on research, particularly in areas like health sciences, engineering, and nuclear science. It's classified as a doctoral university with higher research activity. While SUU also supports research activities, its primary focus is on undergraduate education.

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