Tuition & Costs
Tuition for most programs is $95 per credit hour, and high school students pay no tuition at all. Where you need help paying for fees, supplies, or living costs, aid is available for those who qualify.
The State of Utah funds the technical colleges so they can keep training affordable for adults — and free of tuition for high school students.— Why our cost stays low
Financial aid & funding
Federal Pell Grant
Need-based federal aid (FAFSA) for those who qualify in eligible programs. A high school diploma or equivalent is required for Title IV federal aid.
Scholarships & Aid
Southwest Tech runs its own scholarship program and reviews applications every month — so there’s no single deadline to miss.
Veterans (VA & GI Bill®)
Education benefits for eligible veterans and dependents through the Veterans Administration.
Sponsorships
Some students receive tuition assistance through Deseret Industries, the Department of Workforce Services, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, or Vocational Rehabilitation.
Child Care Assistance
Students can apply for the SUU Child Care Assistance Grant (CCAMPIS) through our Dual Enrollment agreement with SUU.
Net Price Calculator
Estimate your real cost of attendance before you apply with our online Net Price Calculator.
Per-credit tuition at a glance
| Program type | Who attends | Fees apply | Tuition / Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most programs (adult) | Adult students | Yes | $95.00 |
| CDL Class A (adult) | Adult students | Yes | $295.00 |
| Most programs (high school) | High school students | Yes | No tuition |
Tuition is billed per credit hour, per month, based on the credits you enroll in. Adult students also pay applicable program fees.
Cost & aid questions
Students pay tuition based on the number of credits they enroll in each month. Tuition for most programs is $95.00 per credit hour. Tuition for the Commercial Driver’s License Class A program is $295.00 per credit hour. Adult students also pay all applicable fees. High school students do not pay tuition, though the majority of courses require applicable fees — which may include study guides and books, consumable supplies, specialized clothing, and equipment and tools.
When the Utah State Legislature created the eight Utah technical colleges, they mandated that the colleges provide low-cost training to adults and not charge tuition to high school students. The State of Utah generously provides funding to the technical colleges to enable them to keep costs low for students.
Yes. Southwest Tech offers financial aid through the Federal Government’s Pell Grant program to those who qualify. Keep in mind that federal financial aid is limited to eligible programs. Southwest Tech also has a scholarship program and considers applications monthly. Some students receive tuition assistance through Deseret Industries, the Department of Workforce Services, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Vocational Rehabilitation, or the Veterans Administration.
No. A high school diploma is not an admissions requirement. Any person who declares a technical training objective is eligible for admission. A high school diploma or equivalent is not required for admission, but is mandatory for students seeking Title IV Federal Financial Aid.
The length of time to complete training depends entirely on the program chosen. In many programs, the length depends on the student’s own flexibility and pace, thanks to the open-entry, competency-based format. Open-entry programs have start dates almost every month of the year.
Email financial-aid@stech.edu or schedule an appointment with our financial aid counselor. You can also drop by our main campus at 757 W 800 S, Cedar City, UT — office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday.