Best Colleges in Utah

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Best Accredited Colleges

#1 Brigham Young University-Provo

Provo, UT

$12864

83%

Brigham Young, located in Provo, 45 miles south of Salt Lake City, has 10 colleges, including a graduate school, law school, and school of management. BYU offers over 170 bachelor’s programs with an array of majors including wildlife and wildlands conservation, physics, philosophy, neuroscience, exercise science, Arabic language, nutritional science, and linguistics.Guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU’s mission is to support students who seek perfection and eternal life. BYU encourages students to integrate their faith with their education; undergraduate students must take one religion class each semester until they earn 14 semester hours. The student body represents over 100 countries, and more than 23,000 students participate each year in over 70 community service programs. Certain degree programs require applied learning experiences like internships, clinical work, or field studies, while other programs recommend it to enhance a student’s major.BYU’s academic environment, unique among colleges in Utah, extends beyond the classroom. BYU is home to a 100,000-square-foot museum of art, a science museum with three million biological specimens, and an archaeological and ethnographic museum with special expertise in prehistoric Utah and the American Southwest.

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#2 Independence University

Salt Lake City, UT

$26240

37%

Independence is an online university offering employment-focused degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. IU is known for its fast track degree programs, personalized support, and monthly program starts.Independence merged with Stevens-Henager College in 2010 and is a branch of Stevens-Henager’s main campus in Ogden. There are additional campuses in Provo, Salt Lake City, Layton, St George, and Logan. IU has schools of healthcare, business, technology, and graphic arts. It offers six associate degrees, like the medical specialties program; 16 bachelor’s degrees, like the accounting with a forensic accounting emphasis program; and eight master’s programs, like the nursing administration program. The programs are fully online and career focused, with no elective courses. The schools of healthcare, technology, and business offer curriculums that reflect feedback from the schools’ business partners and advisory committee. Unique among colleges in Utah, all students receive a tablet on the first day of school and later, a new Mac® laptop loaded with software.

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#3 University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

$11322

65%

Utah has 17 colleges and schools and almost 100 departments. The school offers over 80 undergraduate majors, including minors and certificates. Students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in atmospheric sciences, ballet, gender studies, kinesiology, peace and conflict studies, and more.University of Utah is known for its entrepreneurial pedigree. It’s one of the best colleges in Utah for start-up company creation. The Hinckley Institute engages students in governmental processes and prepares them for public services. The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute provides students from any major with workshops, business plan competitions, start-up support, and more. The Center for Engineering Innovation serves industry and public/government collaborators, including faculty, staff, and students, by turning basic science into commercial products.Alumni includes the presidents of Pixar Studios, Zions First National Bank, Procter & Gamble, and Jet Blue Airways; U.S. senators, award-winning authors, professional athletes, and many more.

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#4 Western Governors University

Salt Lake City, UT

$9115

26%

WGU’s programs are designed for working adults who need a more flexible learning environment. The teacher’s college offers eight online bachelor’s degree licensure programs and 17 online masters programs. Other degrees include 12 online bachelor and master’s degree programs in business, 10 online bachelor and master’s programs in information technology, and 11 bachelor’s and master’s programs in nursing and related professions.Each degree program is developed by a council of experts in the field who identify the competencies students need to obtain for graduation. Competency-based learning eliminates spending time and money on content students already know. Those with prior relevant experience can accelerate their time to degree completion by completing competency assessments. The average WGU student is 37. Like other Utah colleges, online classes at WGU do not operate on fixed schedules. An assigned student mentor with subject matter experience in the student’s field helps develop a study plan, provides feedback, and ensures students maintain motivation through regularly scheduled, weekly conversations.

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#5 Westminster College

Salt Lake City, UT

$24606

62%

Westminster offers a liberal arts education blended with professional programs. It offers 52 undergraduate and graduate programs at its Salt Lake City campus. There are 38 bachelor’s degrees in majors like public health, political science, and finance. Westminster’s 2,100 undergraduate students enjoy personalized attention from faculty with a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio; 93% of full-time instructors hold the highest available degree in their fields, contributing to its status as one of the best colleges in Utah.The 32-acre campus includes a LEED-certified science center, library, athletic and recreational facilities, and art and performance spaces. Produce and eggs from Westminster’s organic garden and chicken coop, tended by students, is available to students at no charge. The school offers a variety of year-round fitness, wellness, and recreational programs that include rock climbing trips, hip-hop classes, and cross country ski trips. Varsity sports include alpine skiing, dance, snowboarding, and lacrosse.

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#6 Utah Valley University

Orem, UT

$6738

29%

Utah Valley started as a vocational school during World War II. The school has eight colleges, a graduate school, and six satellite centers for nontraditional students. Utah Valley is the largest public educational institution among Utah colleges and recognized as one of the safest schools in the country. It has largest Latter Day Saints Institute program in the world; UVU is located a few miles from Brigham Young University.Utah Valley offers 146 bachelor’s degree programs including a diverse selection of majors in personal finance planning, mechatronics engineering technology, digital cinema, and botany. The school has eight master’s degree programs and a distance learning program, including certificates and associate degrees. UVU provides numerous academic, vocational, technical, and workforce training projects for students. The field station at Capitol Reef National Park supports engaged learning and research through fieldwork in the Colorado Plateau.

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#7 Snow College

Ephraim, UT

$9658

47%

Snow, located in the mountains of Sanpete County in central Utah, has campuses in Ephraim and Richfield, along with an online degree option. As a community college, Snow is committed to helping students get started on their journey, whether they’re transferring to a major university or launching their career immediately after graduation. The school offers more than 80 associate degrees and over 40 certificate programs in subjects like welding, farm and ranch management, and business and music technology. There are two bachelor’s programs: the first is music with an emphasis in commercial music, a degree that is unique among Utah colleges with its focus on the music industry and entrepreneurship. The second bachelor program is for software engineering, a new course starting this year that offers three areas of emphasis: entrepreneurship, digital media design, and web development. Most fields of study expect students to take certain prerequisite courses that prepare them for transfer; Snow offers nearly all of these courses.

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#8 Weber State University

Ogden, UT

$9321

32%

Weber State maintains campuses in Ogden, Layton, Morgan, Roy, Clearfield, and Farmington to provide undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and certificates throughout the Northern Utah region. Weber is organized into seven academic colleges with over 50 academic departments offering more than 230 programs, online and on-campus. Undergraduate programs include business administration, criminal justice, early childhood education, and electrical engineering. The student body of over 24,000 students attend either WSU’s main campuses in Ogden or Layton, or the additional learning centers in Roy and Clearfield.Compared to other Utah colleges, WSU students are more likely to be first generation college students, work full-time, and receive financial aid. 56% of WSU students attend school part-time, and their average age is 26. The school believes protecting the environment is important and has pledged to become carbon-neutral by 2050. Weber has men’s and women’s athletic teams.

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#9 Southern Utah University

Cedar City, UT

$14024

49%

Based in Cedar City, Southern Utah University is home to more than 9,200 students and ranks among the top public colleges in Utah. SUU offers more than 140 unique academic programs, such as aviation, outdoor recreation in parks and tourism, French, athletic training, and human nutrition. Undergraduates can also choose from a wide selection of innovative academic minors, such as museum studies, library media, physical education, and Shakespeare studies. SUU hosts the annual Utah Shakespeare Festival, which draws more than 100,000 visitors each season. The SUU campus also hosts a student radio station, cable television channel, and the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service, which encourages public participation and good citizenship among students. The center works to develop community engagement through public policy awareness, voter registration drives, public service activities, and internships.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best colleges in Utah?

Some of the best colleges in Utah include Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Westminster College, and Dixie State University.

2. How do I apply to colleges in Utah?

To apply to colleges in Utah, you typically need to complete an online application form, submit your high school transcripts, provide standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT), write an essay, and obtain letters of recommendation.

3. What majors and programs are offered at Utah colleges?

Utah colleges offer a wide range of majors and programs, including but not limited to business, engineering, computer science, nursing, education, psychology, biology, and fine arts. Each college may have its own unique offerings, so it's best to explore their websites for specific details.

4. How much does tuition cost at Utah colleges?

Tuition costs vary depending on the college and program you choose. On average, in-state tuition for public colleges in Utah is around $6,000 to $8,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition can range from $20,000 to $30,000 per year. Private colleges tend to have higher tuition rates.

5. Are there scholarships available for Utah college students?

Yes, there are various scholarships available for Utah college students. These scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or specific to certain fields of study. It's recommended to check with the individual colleges and also explore external scholarship opportunities.

6. What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Utah colleges?

The student-to-faculty ratio varies among Utah colleges. On average, it can range from 15:1 to 20:1. Some colleges may have smaller class sizes and a lower student-to-faculty ratio, providing more personalized attention and interaction with professors.

7. Are there on-campus housing options available?

Yes, most Utah colleges offer on-campus housing options for students. These can include dormitories, apartments, or residential halls. It's important to check with the specific college for details on housing availability, costs, and application processes.

8. Can I transfer credits from a community college to a four-year college in Utah?

Yes, many four-year colleges in Utah accept transfer credits from community colleges. However, the transferability of credits depends on factors such as the specific courses taken, grades earned, and the policies of the receiving college. It's advisable to consult with academic advisors at both institutions for a smooth transfer process.

9. Are there opportunities for internships and job placements in Utah?

Yes, Utah offers various opportunities for internships and job placements. The state has a growing economy with industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, and outdoor recreation. Colleges often have career centers that assist students in finding internships and connecting with potential employers.

10. What support services are available for students at Utah colleges?

Utah colleges provide a range of support services to help students succeed academically and personally. These services may include academic advising, tutoring centers, counseling services, career guidance, health services, and extracurricular activities. Students can take advantage of these resources to enhance their college experience.