Best Online Colleges in Utah of 2023

Founded in 1850, the University of Utah is a highly rated, Tier 1 public research institution. It has the highest graduation rate of all the schools on our list. The university's online arm is UOnline, and it offers nearly 30 online graduate and undergraduate degrees and for-credit certificate programs. One notable option is a Bachelor of Social Work, which is only one of 16 such online BSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Another is a Master of Science in Biomedical Informatics, which is led by faculty from the first biomedical informatics department in the United States. For online learners, the in-state and out-of-state tuition rates are the same for all undergraduate programs and some graduate programs. Overall, tuition at the University of Utah is the lowest among public universities in the Big Ten and Pac-12 collegiate athletic conferences.

Utah State University was an early adopter of online education - beginning its program USU Online in 1995. Since then, this public university has provided digital education to more than 150,000 students from 50 states and 55 countries. The program's mission is to provide a quality education through flexible and affordable degrees that build skills and change people's lives. You'll find three online associate degree programs, 16 bachelor's degree programs, 17 master's, and one doctoral. The school also offers 11 certification programs. Unique program options include an Associate of Science in Agricultural Science, Bachelor of Science in Human Experience Design and Interaction, Master of Public Health in Veterinary Public Health, and a certificate in Deaf Blind Intervener Training. The university itself was founded in 1888 as part of the state's land-grant act.

Western Governors University is the only school on this list that is a fully online institution. Founded in 1997 by a group of American governors, the private school specializes in career-aligned bachelor's and master's degrees in fields like IT, teaching, business, and healthcare. Specific degree programs include a Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing, Bachelor of Science in Health Services Coordination, and Master of Science in Educational Leadership. The school is also unique in that it uses a competency-based approach to measure skills and learning rather than time on task, which means you can finish your degree faster if you are so capable. A particularly robust focus of the school is its support of students who are veterans or serving in the military. In addition to a flexible learning environment, the school offers a military support department, generous military scholarships, tuition benefits for veterans, and ease of transfer.

Founded in 1875, Westminster College is a small, private liberal arts institution that provides grant or scholarship awards to 100% of its incoming students. The school offers several innovative online degree programs, such as their project-based Master of Business Administration. Unlike a traditional in-person MBA program, Westminster's program is taught via an interactive, flexible, online format that is ideal for working adults. The program boasts one-on-one mentoring and concludes with an international business trip. The Master of Strategic Communication degree is also an online program with a high level of flexibility that is geared toward self-directed learners. A fun fact about Westminster College is that more than 50 Olympians have pursued degrees at the school while training and have won a total of 10 Olympic medals.

Southern Utah University is the most selective school on our list. It's known as the University of the Parks owing to its close proximity to several national parks and its educational partnerships with the National Park Service. Even online learners can benefit from these partnerships, especially via online degree programs like the Associate of Arts and Science, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Master of Public Administration. The school boasts competitively priced online degree programs with pay-by-the-course options. Scholarships are available for a wide range of students at the graduate and undergraduate levels, including scholarships specifically for Native American students, international learners, and those with specialized talents, like music, art, and rodeo.

A large public institution founded in 1889, Weber State University was originally a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1933, it became a state-owned, nonreligious school and currently offers 35 online programs at all levels. The university has seven associate degree programs, which can be harder to find online. Included in these seven choices are an Associate in Applied Science in Computer Science, Associate of Science in General Studies, and Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. The university offers independent study classes for online learners, which means you can start them anytime and complete them at your own pace (within six months). Students who live outside of Utah pay a flat rate of $291 per undergraduate credit hour, which is well below the national average.

Utah Valley University offers the highest total number of online programs of any school on our list at 41. You'll find all levels of online degrees at Utah Valley, from associate to doctorate, as well as certificate programs via UVU Online. The majority of offerings are bachelor's degrees - and notable choices include a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Technology Management, Bachelor of Arts in University Studies, and Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration. The university places a premium on delivering high-quality online courses. In-house instructional designers work closely with faculty to create interactive learning content and easily accessible opportunities for engagement with instructors and classmates. Additionally, since 2019, UVU Online has been governed by a council that oversees strong collaboration across academic affairs, student affairs, and financial aid.

Twenty-two online associate, bachelor's, and certification programs are available at Utah Tech University, which has been educating students since 1911. The majority of the school's online programs are bachelor's degrees and include a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, Bachelor of Science in Design, and Bachelor of Science in Management. Three accelerated online degree completion programs are also offered for students who already have an associate degree and wish to earn a bachelor's degree in less than two years. Utah Tech has the lowest undergraduate tuition of four-year public universities in the state at just $255 per credit hour. This rate is available regardless of residency and all general fees are currently waived.