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The Best Public Colleges in Utah

Here are the top public colleges that in Utah. The school list below shows tuition after financial aid, and with the benefit of in-state tuition. Smaller schools are excluded from our list.

  1. Southern Utah University

    Southern Utah University is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Cedar City, UT. It has an enrollment of 9,297 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 88.73%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $13,095. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 23 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1149.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 23.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Agriculture, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,298
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,260
    • Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
    • Education, General. (Master’s Degree) – $59,320
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,272
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,409
    • Engineering Technology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,273
    • Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,508
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,964
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Associate’s Degree) – $18,498
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,121
    • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,421
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,992
    • Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $50,439
    • Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,952
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,353
    • Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,508
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $18,315
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $53,108
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $52,107
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $59,042
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
    • Hospitality Administration/Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,382
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,565
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739

    Southern Utah University School Spirit

    Southern Utah University has a strong school spirit that is reflected in various aspects of campus life. The university has a vibrant athletics program that includes NCAA Division I teams in sports such as football, basketball, and gymnastics, among others. In addition, there are many student-led clubs and organizations, such as the Student Alumni Association, the Thunderbird Marching Band, and the Spirit Squad, that offer a variety of events and activities throughout the year to promote school spirit. Overall, Southern Utah University provides a supportive and engaging environment for students to develop a sense of pride and loyalty towards their school.

    Learn more about Southern Utah University

  2. University of Utah

    University of Utah is a four-year, medium full-time , selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Salt Lake City, UT. It has an enrollment of 24,850 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 94.97%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $12,867. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1257.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 26.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Architecture. (Master’s Degree) – $53,775
    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
    • Information Science/Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $62,409
    • Information Science/Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $76,998
    • Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,307
    • Computer Software and Media Applications. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $44,170
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,652
    • Biomedical/Medical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $54,035
    • Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $65,894
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,657
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $66,821
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $84,653
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $62,260
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $75,832
    • Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,997
    • Law. (First Professional Degree) – $60,689
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,048
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
    • Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,952
    • Nutrition Sciences. (Master’s Degree) – $46,478
    • International/Global Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
    • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,967
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,594
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Master’s Degree) – $48,849
    • Chemistry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
    • Physics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,432
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,098
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Master’s Degree) – $47,650
    • Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $53,358
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,192
    • Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $45,870
    • Social Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,960
    • Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739
    • Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,351
    • Geography and Cartography. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,926
    • Dance. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $19,227
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,649
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,565
    • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,704
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $46,673
    • Health and Medical Administrative Services. (Master’s Degree) – $68,499
    • Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,856
    • Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,987
    • Medicine. (First Professional Degree) – $56,676
    • Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. (Doctoral Degree) – $104,192
    • Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
    • Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $53,358
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $66,104
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Doctoral Degree) – $67,101
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,995
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $85,070
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Doctoral Degree) – $100,213
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,231
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $98,213
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,105
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $57,757
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,493
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Master’s Degree) – $67,995
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,478
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,639

    University of Utah School Spirit

    The University of Utah has a very active and spirited student body, known as the “Ute Tribe”. They are passionate about their sports teams, with football and basketball being the most popular. Game days at the Rice-Eccles Stadium are known for their lively atmosphere and enthusiastic fans. In addition to sports, there are several student clubs, organizations, and events throughout the year that promote school spirit and pride. Overall, school spirit is considered to be an important aspect of campus life at the University of Utah.

    Learn more about University of Utah

  3. Utah State University

    Utah State University is a four-year, full-time, selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Logan, UT. It has an enrollment of 20,516 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 92.63%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $13,233. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1217.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 25.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,798
    • Agricultural Production Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,909
    • Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
    • Plant Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
    • Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Environmental Design. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,848
    • Landscape Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,729
    • Area Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $19,683
    • Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,668
    • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $69,338
    • Information Science/Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,298
    • Information Science/Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $64,990
    • Curriculum and Instruction. (Doctoral Degree) – $87,754
    • Educational/Instructional Media Design. (Master’s Degree) – $53,358
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,878
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,528
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $48,823
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,658
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $36,401
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $54,656
    • Civil Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $62,012
    • Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $71,015
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,501
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $76,930
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,728
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $74,576
    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $19,144
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,526
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Associate’s Degree) – $20,254
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,863
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,368
    • Zoology/Animal Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
    • Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,942
    • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,421
    • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,421
    • Physics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,353
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,547
    • Psychology, General. (Master’s Degree) – $46,589
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,669
    • Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
    • Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
    • Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,856
    • Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,439
    • Air Transportation. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
    • Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $20,140
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,874
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $43,674
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Doctoral Degree) – $67,660
    • Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
    • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $50,320
    • Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $39,369
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Associate’s Degree) – $50,231
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $49,752
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $71,015
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,966
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $58,334
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,439
    • Human Resources Management and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $72,587
    • International Business. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,835
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,265
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409

    Utah State University School Spirit

    School spirit is an important part of life at Utah State University. Students, faculty, and staff have a strong sense of pride in their school, and it shows in the numerous sports events, concerts, and other cultural activities hosted by the university. Utah State University has a rich athletic tradition in a variety of sports, particularly in football and basketball, and the student section at games is known for being enthusiastic and supportive. The university also has a number of traditions, like Aggie Ice Cream, that further reinforce school spirit and community. Overall, Utah State University is a great choice for those looking for a strong sense of school pride.

    Learn more about Utah State University

  4. Utah Tech University

    Utah Tech University is a four-year, medium full-time, inclusive, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Saint George, UT. It has an enrollment of 8,796 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is unreported. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $15,298. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 22 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,926
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,041
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,653
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,208
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,295
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Associate’s Degree) – $27,048
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,353
    • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,420
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,114
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
    • Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,394
    • Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. (Associate’s Degree) – $37,748
    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,318
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,542
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,106

    Utah Tech University School Spirit

    The school spirit at Utah Tech University is generally considered to be quite high. UTU has a large student body, and many students participate in a variety of activities and events that promote school spirit, such as attending sporting events and supporting the UTU football team. The university also has a number of traditions that help foster school spirit, like the annual UTU vs. BYU rivalry game and the famous UTU drumline. Additionally, the university has a strong sense of community and pride, which contributes to a positive overall campus culture.

    Learn more about Utah Tech University