Best Colleges in Utah

The Great Salt Lake, the Mormons, and the incredible backcountry terrain providing the best ski destination in North America are commonly associated with Utah. The Beehive State is a leading honey producer, and the beehive is meant to symbolize perseverance, industry, and collaboration among its importance in the Mormon faith.

Top schools for higher learning in Utah provide undergraduate students and graduates with award-winning faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and career-driven degree programs. In this Bold article, we'll explore some of the best colleges in Utah.

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Best College Towns in Utah

As it turns out, Utah is more than just a ski destination. For many people, Utah is a great place to hit the slopes and hit the books. Salt Lake City, Provo, Logan, Orem, and Ephriam are considered some of the best college towns in Utah.

When a local university or college significantly impacts a city's economy and culture, it is commonly referred to as a "college town." Generally, these communities are affordable, culturally rich, and economically healthy with a younger population. Check out the best college towns in the U.S. now!

Best Public Colleges in Utah

Public schools receive most of their funding from the government through tax revenues. As a result, bachelor's degrees at public schools are typically less expensive than at private schools. Public universities in Utah offer more diverse extracurricular activities due to larger student bodies and lower tuition rates making the college experience reachable. Several top colleges and universities in Utah provide affordability, reputable degree programs, and flourishing student communities.

#1 University of Utah - Salt Lake City, Utah. The University of Utah is ranked #2 in Innovation Impact Productivity by the George W. Bush Institute. UU was founded in 1850 and offers 18 colleges and schools with nearly 100 departments.

#2 Utah State University - Logan, UT. Utah State University started as an agricultural college in 1888 and is a land-grant public research university offering over 8,300 on-campus jobs to its students. Rich with history, USU was temporarily transformed into a military institution in 1914.

#3 Southern Utah University - Cedar City, UT. Southern Utah University offers over 140 undergraduate and 21 graduate and certificate programs across seven colleges. SUS was awarded Best Regional Universities in the West for the lowest student debt.

#4 Weber State University - Ogden, UT. Weber State University has more than 225 degree programs, including 20 graduate degrees, and is ranked among College Factual's top colleges for veterans.

#5 Utah Valley University - Orem, UT. Utah Valley University, first established as a vocational school in Central Utah in 1941, is an integrated university and community college offering more than 200 degree programs, including 54 certificate options.

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Best Private Colleges in Utah

One significant difference between public and private institutions is how they receive funding. Private schools are typically smaller and can offer a more personalized academic experience. Unlike public universities, most private universities offer a narrow range of academic majors, such as liberal arts institutions.

Private universities do not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state tuition. This means out-of-state students looking to enroll in a private Utah college will not have to pay higher out-of-state tuition. Utah's best private institutions provide smaller class sizes, financial incentives, and thriving academic excellence.

#1 Brigham Young University - Provo, UT. Brigham Young University Provo, the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, offers 128 master's and doctoral programs and 200 undergraduate majors. BYU is ranked #3 in the country for most graduates with foreign language degrees.

#2 Western Governors University - Millcreek, UT. Western Governors University was founded by 19 US governors and is ranked Best Value School and Recognized for Excellence in Distance Learning, with programs beginning on the 1st of every month.

#3 Westminster College - Salt Lake City, UT. Westminster College is in the Top 5% of All Schools for Student-Faculty Interaction and is ranked one of the Best Liberal Arts colleges. Westminster College offers 42 majors, 13 pre-professional programs, and 7 graduate degrees.

#4 Neumont College of Computer Science - Salt Lake City, UT. Neumont College of Computer Science offers 6 industry-influenced degrees, which can be earned in as little as 3 years with a project-based curriculum.

#5 Ensign College - Salt Lake City, UT. Ensign College was founded and sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This school offers skills-based certificates and degrees.

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Best Utah Community Colleges

More students attend postsecondary schools to gain specialized skills and practical training that prepare them for promising careers. Many community colleges offer technical diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees, emphasizing career placement for students who want to work in lucrative trade industries.

Students in the state of Utah enrolling in community college have the opportunity to save money and begin a rewarding career in as little as two years or less. Many of Utah's best two-year institutions offer financial aid, including scholarships, and quality education.

#1 Salt Lake Community College - Salt Lake City, UT. Salt Lake Community College offers students small class sizes with an average of 20 and over 120 programs of study, including online programs.

#2 Weber State University - Ogden, UT. Weber State University has more than 225 degree programs, including 11 certificates, and is ranked among College Factual's top colleges for veterans.

#3 Ensign College - Salt Lake City, UT. Ensign College was founded and sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This school offers skills-based certificates and degrees.

#4 Snow College - Ephraim, UT. Snow College was founded in 1888 as the Sanpete Stake Academy by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Snow College is one of only twenty-three 2-year colleges accredited as a member of the National Association of Schools of Music in the US.

#5 Fortis College - Salt Lake City, UT. Fortis College offers seven programs to students across 14 campuses. Utah's Fortis College provides students with hands-on experience with each program.

Best Utah Business Colleges

Business students develop core skills across various subjects, including business administration, management, accounting, and information technology. A business career is available in nearly any industry. The best Utah universities and schools for business will have high graduation rates and provide students with wise long-term financial plans, skills to run an organization and impactful experiences.

#1 Brigham Young University - Provo, UT. Brigham Young University's Marriott School of Business was ranked #3 for Entrepreneurship in its undergraduate rankings and #2 for its MBA in Human Resources in graduate rankings.

#2 University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT. University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business was founded in 1917 and offers 9 undergraduate programs, 4 MBA programs, and 10 specialized master's degree programs.

#3 Latter Day Saints Business College - Salt Lake City, UT. Latter Day Saints Business College is a private, not-for-profit school part of Ensign College and offers 24 undergraduate degrees.

#4 Southern Utah University - Cedar City, UT. Southern Utah University's Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business offers 13 programs of study and offers fully online MDA degrees.

#5 Utah Tech University - St. George, UT. Utah Tech University, Formerly called Dixie State University, offers 14 programs of study. UTU has the lowest tuition of all 4-year state institutions in Utah.

Check out the best business schools in the U.S.!

Best Utah Nursing Colleges

Nursing is one of the most rewarding and satisfying careers focused on helping others. Nursing could be a great fit for you if you enjoy working with people and want to impact the health and well-being of people in your community. Nurses help improve patients' lives in the health care system every day. The best colleges in Utah for nursing will provide students with outstanding clinical skills, state-of-the-art technology, and high NCLEX-RN registered nurse licensing exam pass rates.

#1 Brigham Young University - Provo, UT. Brigham Young University's College of Nursing became the first Society for Simulation in a Healthcare-accredited academic nursing simulation program in Utah.

#2 Joyce University - Draper, UT. Joyce University, formerly Ameritech College, is one of Utah's largest nursing colleges with a 94% job placement rate and offers 7 programs of study.

#3 University of Utah - Salt Lake City, Utah. The University of Utah's College of Nursing is ranked #9 in the Online Master of Science in Nursing Education Program and offers a wide range of nursing programs.

#4 Provo College - Provo, UT. Provo College, a Utah Nursing School & Healthcare College founded in 1984, offers a BSN Nursing Program and Physical Therapist Assistant Program.

#5 Nightingale College - Salt Lake City, UT. Nightingale College offers six programs of study and online learning with personalized attention.

Here are the best nursing schools in the U.S.!

Best Utah Psychology Colleges

Take advantage of the best psychology universities in Utah to learn about human behavior and prepare for an impactful career. A degree in psychology will give you the knowledge to understand psychological fundamentals and scientific inquiry while also learning how to apply those concepts to individual patients and social groups. The best colleges in Utah for psychology provide students with research assistantships, laboratory experiences, and advanced levels of education and specialization.

#1 Brigham Young University - Provo, UT. Brigham Young University has a Department of Psychology that offers BYU students 5 different areas of research.

#2 University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT. University of Utah's Department of Psychology offers a bachelor's program and Ph.D. graduate programs with award-winning faculty.

#3 Utah State University - Logan, UT. Utah State University has a Department of Psychology that provides students with 7 graduate specializations and a thriving undergraduate major.

#4 Utah Valley University - Orem, UT. Utah Valley University has a Behavioral Science Department that offers its student body 6 rigorous programs of study.

#5 Westminster College - Salt Lake City, UT. Westminster College offers a Psychology Program that is a STEM-designated bachelor of science degree with access to a Neuroscience Laboratory.

Wondering about the best psychology colleges in the U.S.? Learn more on this Bold blog!

Best Colleges for Engineering in Utah

Engineering requires creativity, generating an outlet for the imagination to make a mark on the world through brilliant problem-solving. Engineering students will develop logical ways of thinking, objectivity, decision-making, and transferrable skills for other careers. Enrolling in a program like software engineering will help students achieve analysis and modification of software programs and more. The best colleges and universities for engineering in Utah provide students with rich interdisciplinary engineering departments, world-class research, and professional faculty.

#1 University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT. University of Utah's College of Engineering was established in the 1890s and offers 24 research centers and 12 programs of study.

#2 Brigham Young University - Provo, UT. Brigham Young University has a College of Engineering that offers 7 programs of study and 6 departments.

#3 Utah State University - Logan, UT. Utah State University's College of Engineering offers 15 degrees across 5 departments.

#4 Southern Utah University - Cedar City, UT. Southern Utah University's Department of Engineering & Technology offers 4 programs of study and small class sizes.

#5 Davis Technical College - Kaysville, UT. Davis Technical College offers an Architectural and Engineering Design Program that high school students can enroll in tuition-free.

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Utah's Colleges for the Best Online Learning

Distance learning allows working adults a flexible learning environment to achieve their educational goals while maintaining everyday life. Utah is an active region for online education, providing students the opportunity to earn bachelor's and master's degrees through distance learning. The best colleges in Utah for online learning offer students convenience, flexibility, and accessibility while allowing students to advance their careers alongside furthering their education.

#1 Western Governors University - Millcreek, UT. Western Governors University was founded by 19 US governors and is ranked Best Value School and Recognized for Excellence in Distance Learning, with programs beginning on the 1st of every month.

#2 Southern Utah University - Cedar City, UT. Southern Utah University is ranked #6 in the Nation for online learning and offers 28 programs online.

#3 University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT. The University of Utah offers 9 majors and 6 minors online for undergraduates and 13 graduate majors and access to hybrid courses.

#4 Utah State University - Logan, UT. Utah State University offers over 60 degrees that are 100% online and were ranked Best Online Programs in 2022 by US News World Report.

#5 Weber State University - Ogden, UT. Weber State University was awarded The Best Online Colleges and Universities by Intelligent.com and offers over 25 fully online degree and certificate programs.

We have a list of the best online colleges. Check it out to learn more!

Our Methodology Behind Ranking the Best Utah Colleges

A thorough analysis of academics, financials, admissions, and student life established this ranking. Many factors were compared to arrive at this arrangement, including acceptance rate, tuition rates for undergraduates and graduates, graduation rates, faculty resources, and many other factors.

Check out Bold's Schools of Interest to discover Q&A, majors, academics, pricing, and loan options for colleges in Utah!

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Higher Education Institutions in Utah

How many post-secondary institutions are in Utah?

Utah has nearly 65 post-secondary institutions, of which 24 are 4-year colleges and universities. A majority of Utah's higher education institutions consist of schools that offer certificates and diplomas. There are 12 two-year institutions in the state of Utah.

How to establish residency in Utah for college?

Each university or college may have a residency application for tuition purposes. Research the institution you are interested in to confirm whether or not you need to fill out an application for residency status.

To fulfill Utah State residency requirements, you must reside in Utah for twelve consecutive months. There are three tests to establish Utah Domicile that can be found here. Residents of Utah who attend schools in other states and non-residents who attend Utah schools must follow all Utah residency rules.

How much is a college in Utah?

The amount a student pays for higher education depends entirely on the school they enroll in. Consider both the total cost and the net price when comparing the costs of different institutions. At $9,816 for in-state and $31,389 for out-of-state tuition, the University of Utah is the cheapest university in the state. As you compare college costs, be sure to analyze total cost and net price as well as sticker price and cost of attendance.

You can visit this How much does college cost? guide to learn more!

Can I receive financial aid while attending any Utah college?

Yes, you can receive financial assistance while attending any Utah college. Many post-secondary institutions offer some form of financial assistance, including grants, work-study funds, student loans, and parent loans. Students who need financial help are encouraged to apply for FAFSA. All the information you need to apply for federal aid and pay for college can be found in your school's financial aid office, FAFSA website, and scholarship platforms like Bold.org.

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