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.
Yes. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as Southern Utah University’s Online Associate in Legal Studies 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 graduate school options, like the University of Utah’s Online Master’s of Nursing Informatics and Weber State University’s Online Master’s of Business Administration (MBA).
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.
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 nine undergraduate degree programs, including environmental studies and social work.
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:
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.
In 2019, Utah enacted its Utah Promise, the first statewide needs-based scholarship program in the state. The Utah Promise 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.
If you don’t qualify for the Utah Promise, 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:
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. Sixty-one scholarships were awarded during the 2020-21 season. Scholarships include tuition, books, fees, and room and board, and 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
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 seniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA, financial need, and Utah residency.
Contact information: [email protected] | 844-422-4200
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 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
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 examining the state’s official Long-Term Industry Projections: 2018-2028, we’ve determined that the following five industries will have the highest growth rates in Utah in the immediate years to come:
Utah is home to a national laboratory, several research universities, and many technology business incubators, which makes it a strong and growing state for jobs in the science and tech industries. Occupations within this sector include epidemiologists, chemists, astronomers, and chemical technicians. This industry has an average salary of $64,390 in Utah.
An increase in jobs for real estate agents is driving the overall growth of the sales industry in Utah. Within the state, other popular sales occupations are supervisors, cashiers, and retail workers. Other jobs in this sector include insurance sales agents, telemarketers, and product promoters. Real estate agents in Utah earn an average of $72,280 annually, which is nearly $10,000 above the national average.
Utah is the fourth-fastest growing state by population in the nation, which has caused construction employment to boom. Within this sector, the most common occupations in Utah are construction laborers, carpenters, and electricians. Other construction occupations include plumbers, construction supervisors, and fencers. The average annual wage for a construction laborer in Utah is $37,410.
Utah is the headquarters of five Fortune 500 companies, including Zions Bancorp, Overstock.com, and SkyWest Airlines, so it’s no surprise business and finance is one of the strongest industries in the state. Within this sector, the average salary in Utah is $67,630, with the most common occupations being project management specialists, human resources specialists, accountants, and auditors.
Utah’s restaurant industry generates $5.5 billion a year, and that number is expected to grow as the state’s population continues to increase. The most common occupations in this sector in Utah are fast-food workers and servers. Jobs in food preparation and serving in Utah pay an average salary of $24,830. Specific jobs in this sector include chefs, private household cooks, bartenders, school cafeteria attendants, and restaurant managers.