DEGREES

Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Utah

Written By: Nurse.org Staff

Expert review by: Kathleen Gaines

MSN, RN, BA, CBC

16 Min Read Published May 30, 2024

Top 10 Nursing Schools in Utah
Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
Next Steps
Important Considerations When Comparing Schools
Getting a License in Utah
Conclusion

Salt Lake City Utah with mountain range in the distance

Attending an accredited nursing program in Utah will help you land your dream nursing job in the Beehive State. Nurse.org put together a list of the top nursing schools in Utah to help you choose the right program for you.

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

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Top 10 Nursing Schools in Utah

This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors, including,

Reputation
NCLEX pass rate
Tuition
Acceptance rate, when available
Only ACEN or CCNE-accredited schools are eligible

Our selection panel includes 4 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.

Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
Kathleen Gaines MSN, RN, BA, CBC
Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN

Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Utah nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.

1. Southern Utah University

In-State Tuition

$6,006 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$19,822 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Utah isn’t home to many large campuses, but Southern Utah University’s 12,000+ on-campus students match plenty of larger schools. SUU is near various state and national parks, making it the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

Nursing students have two options at SUU: a pre-licensure track and an RN to BSN. The pre-licensure track only accepts 30 applicants per semester, and they accept applicants twice a year, so this program can be competitive but rewarding. Unfortunately, no graduate-level programs are available at SUU, but the BSN program is a great foundational program for students.

School Information:

Public or Private? Public
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Percent Enrolled Online: 28%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $282
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $933

Contact Information:

Address: 351 West University Blvd, Cedar City, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 71%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $53,108

2. Joyce University of Nursing & Health Sciences

In-State Tuition

$21,123 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$21,123 per year

Accreditation

CCNE, ACEN

Online?

Joyce University of Nursing & Health Sciences, formally known as Ameritech College of Healthcare, only has a few degrees to choose from. Anyone interested in a BSN will need to complete the RN to BSN track, an online program that can be completed in less than a year. If students complete the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), they should be on track to enroll in the RN to BSN. It’s an unorthodox way to earn a BSN, but you could finish the bachelor’s in just 32 months.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Percent Enrolled Online: 0%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $560
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $560

Contact Information:

Address: 12257 South Business Park Drive-Ste 100, Draper, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 82%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $80,022

3. Eagle Gate College

In-State Tuition

$17,112 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$17,112 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Eagle Gate College has offered quality healthcare programs for the past 40 years. This Murray-based school offers several high-quality nursing programs, from practical nursing to BSN programs and even advanced nursing degrees.

Eagle Gate says students can complete 80% of the BSN without having to deal with a waitlist, and the entire BSN can be finished in three years. Current RNs or students with previous college experience can transfer credits to cut the program's length even more.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Percent Enrolled Online: 10%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: N/A
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: N/A

Contact Information:

Address: 5588 South Green Street, Murray, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 60%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: N/A

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

4. Utah State University

In-State Tuition

$8,310 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$23,884 per year

Accreditation

ACEN

Online?

Located in northern Utah, Utah State University may seem unassuming at first glance. However, USU was recently ranked as one of the top public universities in the nation, and the mountain ranges surrounding the campus provide plenty to see and do.

USU’s traditional BSN program can be completed at the Logan campus. This four-year program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN, and if the most recent test-taking class demonstrates anything, it’s that USU more than prepares you to take and pass the NCLEX.

School Information:

Public or Private? Public
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Percent Enrolled Online: 16%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $271
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $865

Contact Information:

Address: Old Main Hill, Logan, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 74%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: N/A

5. Provo College

In-State Tuition

$17,112 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$17,112 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Another small school that focuses entirely on healthcare, Provo College has campuses in Provo, Layton, and Murray. Similar to the BSN offered by Eagle Gate College, Provo College’s BSN can be finished 80% online. The entire degree is offered in a hybrid format, so students are required to complete at least some of their education on campus and online. Provo has no waitlists or prerequisite courses and caters to working adults with convenient scheduling options.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Percent Enrolled Online: 0%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: N/A
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: N/A

Contact Information:

Address: 1450 W 820 N, Provo, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 50%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: N/A

6. Brigham Young University

In-State Tuition

$6,304 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$6,304 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Perhaps the most well-known school in Utah is Brigham Young University. Founded in the Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-day Saints traditions, BYU is home to over 34,000 students, making it one of the largest private schools in the US. At a low price and with a high NCLEX pass rate, BYU’s BSN program is sure to draw plenty of applicants. Interestingly, students can work part-time while earning their BSN, something that most schools discourage. That work can help cover tuition costs, too.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Percent Enrolled Online: 2%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $332
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $332

Contact Information:

Address: Main Campus, Provo, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 90%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $48,752

7. Roseman University

In-State Tuition

N/A

Out-of-State Tuition

N/A

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Yes

Roseman University offers several programs to nursing students, including accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, and DNP degrees. Roseman’s Veteran to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (VBSN) admissions pathway offers Veteran students the opportunity to transfer military experiential credit for applicable prerequisites and/or identified nursing courses. The accelerated BSN program is offered either entirely on-line or as a hybrid online program.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Percent Enrolled Online: 3%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: N/A
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: N/A

Contact Information:

Address: 10920 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: N/A
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $76,460

8. University of Utah

In-State Tuition

$8,175 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$28,697 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Yes

The University of Utah has gained national attention for being part of the elite PAC-12 athletics conference, and the academics often go overlooked. However, programs like the BSN are among the best in the region.

BSN students have multiple tracks to choose from: a traditional pre-licensure track, an online RN to BSN, and a Nursing Early Assurance Program designed for high school students to enter directly into nursing school. The University of Utah also has the only nursing Ph.D. program in the state and is associated with a research-intensive medical academic center covering a six-state region.

School Information:

Public or Private? Public
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Percent Enrolled Online: 7%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $259
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $890

Contact Information:

Address: 201 Presidents Circle, ROOM 201, Salt Lake City, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 85%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,995

9. Western Governors University*

In-State Tuition

$7,404 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$7,404 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Yes

Originally founded in Lake City, Utah, Western Governors University has since exploded online, offering various online and in-person programs to students across the US. Even the pre-licensure BSN can be completed partially online and partially at Salt Lake Valley or Southern Utah campuses. Each location has specific hospitals that students will study at, so students may want to pick a location based on the hospitals.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: N/A
Percent Enrolled Online: 100%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: N/A
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: N/A

Contact Information:

Address: 4001 South 700 East Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 65%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $75,430

10. Westminster College

In-State Tuition

$39,832 per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$39,832 per year

Accreditation

CCNE

Online?

Based in Salt Lake City, Westminster College is one of Utah's oldest institutions of higher education. As a private school, students will need to pay higher tuition, although this can be reduced with financial aid.

The traditional BSN program uses an innovative flipped classroom environment, meaning students will receive all their learning materials prior to class. When students show up to class, they’ll be ready to participate actively in discussions. All nursing classes are capped at 24 students, making it an ideal learning environment for students.

School Information:

Public or Private? Private
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Percent Enrolled Online: 2%

Tuition:

In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,638
Out-of-State Tuition Per Credit Hour: $1,638

Contact Information:

Address: 1840 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, UT
Website

School Success:

Retention Rate: 75%
Median Earnings 2 Years After Completing a BSN: $57,995

Nurse Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),

Utah nurses earn an annual mean wage of $72,790.
Utah employs 15.28 nurses per 1,000 residents, one of the lowest rates in the nation.

Yes, Utah is one of the lowest employers of nurses per capita in the US. However, nurses are still in high demand across the nation, Utah included. Also, Utah is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), so RNs in Utah are automatically eligible to work in states that are also part of the compact license.

While the annual mean wage is slightly lower than the national average, the sheer size of California and the wages offered (an annual mean wage of $124,000), Utah is actually one of the higher-paying states.

Next Steps

If you’ve decided that Utah is the place to earn your BSN, then it’s time to move forward with applying to schools. Always apply to multiple schools, both public and private. Most nursing programs are incredibly competitive, so you’ll want to increase your chances of getting into an excellent nursing school.

Once you’ve picked some schools you’re interested in, you should:

Contact each school’s admissions offices. The admissions office will walk you through the application process. Some schools have different application processes, so contact the admission’s office of each school you plan on applying to. The admissions office can answer any questions you have about that school's admission process.

Make sure you meet the nursing school requirements. College admissions and nursing school admissions can be wildly different. Typically, nursing schools have stricter requirements, and entry into a college doesn’t guarantee entry into a nursing program (unless the school says otherwise). You may need to take extra courses, have a higher GPA, or even have extracurriculars to get accepted. Personal essays and letters of recommendation aren't uncommon, either.

Submit your application(s). Once you know what you need and you’ve verified you’re eligible for the school and nursing program, all that’s left is to gather your materials and send them in for review! Materials you’ll need to send include:

High school transcript (GPA)
ACT and/or SAT scores
College entrance essay(s)
Letter(s) of recommendation

Additional materials may also be required by a school or nursing program. Make sure you’re prepared ahead of time so you meet the application deadline!

Important Considerations When Comparing Schools

Unfortunately, comparing colleges can be incredibly difficult. Schools try to make themselves as unique as possible to attract potential students like you. The good news is that you might be able to find a school that meets each and every want and need you have. If no such school exists, find the one that checks the most boxes on your list.

When comparing schools, you should consider things like:

Annual tuition and total program cost (these can be different)
Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
Cost of living
Distance from hospitals (how long will commuting for clinicals take?)
Acceptance rate (both for the school and the nursing program)
Length of the program (accelerated or traditional)
Type of program (traditional or online)
Unique aspects to each program (online, accelerated, etc.)
School accreditation (regional and national)
Program length of time

Why you should care about the nursing program’s accreditation

Accreditation is a school’s way of proving the academic quality of its programs. Accreditation is offered by accrediting bodies, and schools must prove that their academics meet each body’s standards. Generally speaking, a regionally accredited school is held to higher standards than nationally accredited schools. Also, don’t apply to a school unless its nursing program is accredited.

The two nursing accreditation organizations to look for are

If you earn a degree from an unaccredited school, you may have trouble securing federal financial aid and finding work as a nurse after graduation. Furthermore, if you plan on attending a graduate or doctoral program, a prerequisite is a BSN from an accredited nursing program.

Getting a License in Utah

As part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), Utah’s requirements for nurses must meet eNLC standards. This means submitting fingerprints, passing a background check, and, most importantly, taking and passing the NCLEX-RN.

To get a license in Utah, you’ll need to:

Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
Pass a criminal background check, submit your fingerprints, and pay an application fee
Apply online through the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing

After earning a degree, you’ll have to complete continuing education (CE) credits to maintain your license. However, that’s down the road, and you should be focused on earning your BSN first!

Conclusion

Utah may not be the best state for employing nurses or getting a high wage, but thousands of nurses enjoy a career in Utah. Utah has some nationally recognized schools that have excellent BSN programs, along with a few innovative and non-traditional programs. Once you become licensed in Utah, your license will work in most states thanks to the eNLC.