Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Utah. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
Every Utah college on our list is an accredited institution, which means it lives up to high standards for quality in higher education. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) handles the accreditation for most of the colleges on our list. It helps its member institutions strive for continuous improvement to ensure quality and effectiveness.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Utah
Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Utah
Does Utah have good online colleges and universities?
Yes. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as Southern Utah University’s Online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Utah State University’s Online Bachelor’s in Technology Systems. After you graduate, you may want to consider staying in Utah to complete a master’s degree while you work in one of the state’s many growing fields, such as business. Utah is rich in online graduate school options, like the University of Utah’s Online Master’s in Nursing Informatics and Weber State University’s Online Master of Business Administration (MBA).
It’s also worth mentioning that we selected Utah State University as one of the 30 best schools in the entire United States for distance education. For more information, check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges. In addition to showing you the top options in the country for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in Utah cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some schools offer discounted rates for online courses, while others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc. Utah became a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) in 2016. This means out-of-state students who live in a SARA-participating state can take online courses from Utah schools without incurring additional fees.
Why should you choose Utah for online higher education?
From affordable community colleges to top public research universities, Utah offers something for every type of online college student. One option that stands out as particularly appealing is the University of Utah, which offers a flat rate of $260 per undergraduate credit for all online students regardless of state residency. The university offers 10 online undergraduate degree programs, including environmental studies and social work.
The Cost of Online College in Utah
How much does an online degree in Utah cost?
The cost of an online degree in Utah depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree you decide to pursue. For example, undergraduate degrees are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you’ll probably find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, you should also consider that you may be able to save money on indirect expenses such as transportation, parking, and housing by earning your college degree online.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the lowest and highest rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Utah below:
Most affordable online college in Utah: University of Utah, $260 per credit
Most expensive online college in Utah: Weber State University, $1,422 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Utah to get in-state tuition rates?
Typically, you will be eligible for in-state tuition rates after you have lived in Utah for 12 consecutive months. Some groups, such as military veterans, tribal members, and graduate fellows, are entitled to in-state tuition rates without meeting this one-year requirement.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Utah?
In 2019, Utah enacted its Access Utah Promise, the first statewide needs-based scholarship program in the state. The Promise Scholarship covers tuition and fees for up to two years at Utah’s public colleges, universities, and technical colleges. To apply, students must first fill out the FAFSA.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Utah
If you don’t qualify for the Promise Scholarship, there are many other sources of financial support available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are based on income, while others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent scholarship options for you below:
Utah Jazz Scholarship
Since 2020, the NBA’s Utah Jazz has awarded a full-tuition college scholarship to a high school senior from Utah every time they win a game. 114 scholarships have been awarded since the beginning of the 2020-21 season. Scholarships include tuition, books, fees, and room and board, and they must be used at a school within Utah.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the requirements above, recipients must be from an underrepresented group and have demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to applicants who are the first in their families to attend college.
Contact information: [email protected] | 415-451-4002
Horatio Alger State Scholarship
This national scholarship program, funded by the Horatio Alger Association and Horatio Alger Endowment Fund in Utah, is named after American author Horatio Alger. It’s offered to students who exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Recipients may begin their studies at a two-year institution and later transfer to a four-year institution.
Who’s eligible? High school juniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA, financial need, and Utah residency.
Contact information: [email protected] | 844-422-4200
Energy Pathways Scholarship
Chevron and the Utah Office of Energy Development sponsor these merit awards for high school seniors and first-year college students who are pursuing STEM courses at universities, colleges, and trade schools in Utah. More than $135,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the program began in 2016.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the requirements above, students must either be enrolled in a public or private high school in Utah or be a first-year college student pursuing a STEM undergraduate degree or STEM-focused technical certification within the state.
Contact information: [email protected] | 801-538-8732
The Daniels Scholarship Program
The Daniels Fund, which preserves the legacy of the late entrepreneur Bill Daniels, offers scholarships for highly motivated high school seniors from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Applicants should have: strength of character, leadership potential, commitment to community service, academic success or promise, emotional maturity, and a well-rounded personality.
Who’s eligible? In addition to the requirements above, applicants should have at least a 3.0 GPA and either a minimum ACT score of 18 or a combined SAT score of 980. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need.
Contact information: [email protected] | 1-877-441-3139
Top 5 Fast-Growing Industries in Utah
If you still don’t know where you will attend college, you may also be undecided on your major. In that case, one of the most important factors you should consider is which industries are growing the fastest in Utah — this will make it easier to find a job, and more demand should also help you earn a higher salary.
By consulting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Long-Term Occupational Projections (2020–2030), we’ve determined that the following five careers have some of the highest projected growth rates in Utah:
Nurse Practitioners
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with an emphasis on preventative care and health education. They are quickly becoming many Americans’ preferred primary care professionals. NPs tend to be well-compensated; in Utah they earn an average salary of $115,610.
- Growth: 61.2%
- Degree options: Master’s in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Science
Information Security Analysts
Information security analysts monitor and manage an organization’s computer networks and systems. Specifically, information security analysts keep an organization’s data safe. As cybersecurity and information security become increasingly important in our digital world, security analysts are in high demand. They are also well-compensated, making an average annual salary of $109,880 in Utah.
- Growth: 59.4%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Bachelor’s in Engineering, Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Master’s in Cybersecurity, Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Engineering, Master’s in Mathematics, Master’s in Computer Engineering
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) specialize in treating speech impediments and other issues that arise in the mouth and throat area, including chewing and swallowing food. Demand for SLP services is expected to rise greatly in Utah and across the country, largely due to the aging population and prevalence of health issues such as stroke and Alzheimer’s, which can impair speech and eating skills. In Utah, SLPs make an average annual salary of $83,770.
- Growth: 37.2%
- Degree options: Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology
Medical Assistants
Medical assistants perform a range of administrative and clinical duties to support physicians. They schedule appointments, maintain medical records, oversee billing and insurance coding, and sometimes take patients’ vitals, draw blood, and administer medication as directed. In Utah, they earn an average salary of $38,160.
- Growth: 34.2%
- Degree options: Certificate in Medical Assisting, Associate in Medical Assisting
Personal Care Aides
As Utah’s population ages and chronic and acute medical conditions become more prevalent, the state is in increasing need of personal care aides to assist patients, often older adults or disabled people, with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing. In Utah, personal care aides make an average annual salary of $32,910.
- Growth: 31.4%
- Degree options: Certificate in Personal Care Aide, Associate in Medical Assisting