Utah Nursing Schools and Programs
- Top Schools and Programs
- How to Choose a Program
- Why Become a Nurse
- Salary Outlook
- State Nursing Requirements
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: Taha Raja / 500px Prime / Getty ImagesIncrease your salary and job opportunities by becoming a registered nurse (RN) in Utah. Demand for RNs in Utah is projected to grow 25% from 2022 to 2032, according to Projections Central. This figure is much higher than the average 6% growth for RNs nationwide.
Discover the top nursing schools and programs in Utah and how to earn a nursing license in the state.
The Best Nursing Schools in Utah
Whether you want to earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or an associate degree in nursing (ADN), public and private nursing programs in Utah offer attractive options, often with very low in-state tuition. This guide includes only accredited schools, as unaccredited schools are not a good investment for your time and money.
Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in Utah, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. This ranking is from 2023.
Brigham Young University-Provo
Provo, UT- 4 year
- Campus
BYU's master of science in nursing program prepares RNs to become family nurse practitioners. Coursework emphasizes evidence-based practice and features extensive clinical experiences.
Enrollees complete 60-63 credits. The MSN culminates with a thesis, clinical project, or scholarly paper addressing a clinical problem. One of the best nursing schools in Utah, BYU offers assistantships and scholarships.
- Program(s): Master of science in nursing - family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Provo
- Type: Private
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $453 per credit ($906 per credit for Latter-day Saints)
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor's degree from an accredited nursing program, minimum 3.0 GPA, GRE scores, and current Utah RN license
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 96.8% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $83,177 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$5,790
- Out-of-state$5,790
- In-State$7,290
- Out-of-state$7,290
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate67%
- Students Enrolled34,318
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment12%
- AccreditationYes
University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
The University of Utah offers one of the most comprehensive undergraduate nursing programs in Utah. The program's four tracks include a nursing early assurance program (NEAP) and an online RN-to-BSN option.
NEAP students develop an evidence-based practice through clinical experiences across the region. Learners can access a state-of-the-art simulation center. The school partners with a medical academic center covering a six-state region.
- Program(s): Nursing early assurance program, RN-to-BSN, pre-licensure, Salt Lake Community College RN-to-BS express pathway
- Campus: Salt Lake City
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Tuition: $920 per credit for NEAP (in-state), $3,433 per credit for NEAP (out-of-state); $260 per credit for RN-to-BSN
- Admission Requirements: high school senior or first-year college status and minimum cumulative 3.3-3.5 GPA for NEAP; associate degree from an accredited nursing program, minimum 3.0 GPA, and RN license or eligibility for RN-to-BSN
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.6% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $57,995 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$7,412
- Out-of-state$26,017
- In-State$7,211
- Out-of-state$25,455
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled32,852
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Utah State University
- Logan, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
USU delivers a one-year practical nursing certificate program. One of the best nursing schools in Utah, USU prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam. The certificate program covers basic care and medication administration.
After passing the NCLEX-PN exam, graduates can work as entry-level licensed practical nurses. Graduates can also pursue USU's associate of applied science in nursing.
- Program(s): Practical nurse certificate, associate of applied science in nursing, bachelor of science in nursing, RN-to-BSN
- Campus: Blanding, Moab, or Price, Utah
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED and prerequisite courses with minimum B- grades
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 100% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $50,231 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$6,549
- Out-of-state$21,087
- In-State$5,996
- Out-of-state$20,327
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate91%
- Students Enrolled27,810
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Weber State University
- Ogden, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
One of the best nursing schools in Utah, WSU offers an associate degree in nursing for aspiring RNs. Students typically complete the 33 required credits in 24 months.
After their first year of studies, learners qualify to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. After passing the exam, individuals can practice as licensed practical nurses. Associate program graduates qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses.
- Program(s): Associate degree in nursing, bachelor of science in nursing, master of science in nursing, doctor of nursing practice
- Campus: Ogden
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $5,329 per year (in-state), $15,746 per year (out-of-state)
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED for ADN
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months for ADN
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.4% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $51,482 for associate degree graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$4,990
- Out-of-state$14,973
- In-State$7,476
- Out-of-state$16,656
- Retention Rate66%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled29,644
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
Utah Valley University
- Orem, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
One of the most comprehensive and affordable nursing schools in Utah, UVU offers a BSN degree-completion program. Students transfer an associate of science in nursing from UVU or another institution.
Enrollees gain skills in nursing health assessment, nursing care for various populations, and community nursing. Learners complete nursing practice simulations.
- Program(s): Associate of science in nursing, bachelor of science in nursing, master of science in nursing
- Campus: Orem
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $315 per credit for BSN (in-state), $888 per credit for BSN (out-of-state)
- Admission Requirements: ASN, prerequisite courses, and RN licensure for BSN
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.9% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $54,894 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$5,122
- Out-of-state$15,872
- In-State$9,513
- Out-of-state$25,391
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled41,728
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Salt Lake Community College
- Salt Lake City, UT
- 2 year
- Campus
One of the most affordable nursing programs in Utah, SLCC's associate of applied science in nursing program prepares enrollees to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Participants gain skills in health assessment and medical surgical nursing. The curriculum features lectures and experiences in SLCC's healing arts lab. Graduates who pass the NCLEX exam can practice as registered nurses.
- Program(s): Associate of applied science in nursing, advanced placement program for licensed practical/vocational nurses
- Campus: Salt Lake City
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $267 per credit (in-state), $656 per credit (out-of-state)
- Admission Requirements: High school diploma or GED, certified nursing assistant license or medical assisting experience, prerequisite coursework, and TEAS scores
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 82.2% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $52,848 for associate graduates, according to College Scorecard
- In-State$3,437
- Out-of-state$11,968
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate59%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled29,517
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Dixie State University
- Saint George, UT
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
Located in St. George, Dixie delivers one of the most affordable nursing programs in Utah. The associate-level nursing program offers two tracks. Students can pursue a LPN-to-RN program or a paramedic-to-RN program.
Students can complete the 64-68 credits in four semesters. Each track prepares enrollees to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Program(s): AAS in nursing - LPN-to-RN and paramedic-to-RN, RN-to-BSN, nursing pre-licensure BS
- Campus: St. George
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Tuition: $105 per credit (in-state), $337 per credit (out-of-state)
- Admission Requirements: LPN license or paramedic certification, minimum 3.0 GPA, and prerequisite courses
- Minimum Time Commitment: Four semesters
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.7% first-time pass rate
- In-State$4,680
- Out-of-state$14,976
- In-State$5,970
- Out-of-state$15,090
- Retention Rate57%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled11,193
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
How to Choose a Nursing Program in Utah
Finding the right nursing school in Utah involves weighing factors, such as tuition and related costs, financial aid, the school’s NCLEX-RN (nursing license exam) pass rate, the school’s format and logistics, and program reputation. If you plan to attend nursing school in Utah online, inquire about getting a clinical placement in your community.
Why Become a Nurse in Utah
In addition to the increasing demand for nurses, nursing school in Utah more affordable; the average tuition in Utah is over $2,000 less than the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Utah is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, which means getting a Utah RN license allows you to work in other NLC jurisdictions without applying for a separate license.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Utah
The median annual salary for RNs in Utah is about $80,000, which is slightly below the national median of $87,00 for all RNs, according to the BLS. However, the projected job growth for nurses in Utah is one of the highest in the U.S.
Salt Lake City offers the highest median salary for RNs in the state, with only a slight differential between it and other Utah cities.
Besides competitive salaries, Utah offers great outdoor recreation opportunities, including motorbiking, hiking, camping, and skiing. Utah is home to some of the country’s most stunning national parks and scenic attractions, such as Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Monument Valley, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
One benefit of attending nursing school in Utah is access to recreation during vacation periods.
| Top Paying Metropolitan Areas | Median Salary for RNs |
|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $68,680 |
| St. George | $67,040 |
| Ogden-Clearfield | $65,650 |
| Provo-Orem | $64,960 |
| Logan | $64,790 |
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Utah
Utah, like other states, requires a nursing degree from a state-approved school, passing the NCLEX, and a successful background check.
RN Requirements
To become an RN in Utah, you must earn an ADN or BSN and pass the NCLEX exam. An ADN takes two years to complete, while a BSN takes four years. You must apply for a license from the state board of nursing and have your school send official verification of your education and transcripts. You must also submit your fingerprints for a background check. The state government website offers a full list of requirements and a description of the process, including fees ($200 for the NCLEX-RN exam; $90 for license processing).
APRN Requirements
To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you must graduate from a master of nursing science (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program and pass the board certification examination.
Prospective RNs must pass a criminal background check and submit verification of education and certification. Nurse anesthetists should apply for a controlled substance license. The state board of nursing website lists the full requirements and process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Utah
How long does it take to become a nurse in Utah?
It takes two years to complete an ADN program or four years for a BSN program, whether you attend nursing school in Utah or another state. A growing number of employers prefer a BSN, especially academic medical centers and higher-level positions. If you have a degree in another field, you may be eligible for an accelerated BSN program.
Are nurses in Utah in demand?
The BLS projects the demand for RNs to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030. As one of the fastest-growing states in the country, Utah’s demand for RNs may continue to expand as more healthcare workers retire or leave the field as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
What are the highest paying cities for nurses in Utah?
Salt Lake City is the highest-paying city for nurses in Utah, with an average salary of $68,680. St. George is the next highest at $67,040, and Ogden-Clearfield at $65,650. Provo-Orem offers an average RN salary of $64,960, with Logan’s average salary at $64,790.
How much does nursing school cost in Utah?
Nursing programs in Utah cost between $25,000 to $120,000 for a four-year BSN program. An ADN program can cost between $5,000 and $30,000 for a two-year program. Individual costs vary based on financial aid, books and supplies, and commuting or boarding expenses.
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