Top Nursing Colleges in Utah: A Comprehensive Guide

Nursing is a popular and rewarding career choice, offering flexibility, excitement, and the chance to make a tangible difference in people's lives. Utah, with its efficient hospitals and well-performing health systems, presents an attractive environment for aspiring nurses. Moreover, the state's stunning natural landscapes offer opportunities for recreation and relaxation. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the best nursing colleges in Utah, exploring their programs, specializations, and career prospects for graduates.

Why Choose Nursing in Utah?

Utah offers several compelling reasons to pursue a nursing career:

Competitive Salaries: Start your career with a competitive salary.
Efficient Healthcare System: Work in a state with super-efficient hospitals and one of the best-performing health systems.
High Demand: Ranked #3 in popularity, nursing is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation.
Outdoor Recreation: Enjoy skiing in a mountain range with light, dry snow after a week of intensive study.
Job Growth: 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.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Nursing School

Selecting the right nursing school is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your future career. Here are some essential factors to consider:

Location: The nursing school location is as crucial as its faculty, ratings and accreditations.
Accreditation: Know the programs offered in the institution and, preferably, if they are accredited by ACEN, CCNE or regional accrediting agencies. Accreditation is a school’s way of proving the academic quality of its programs. Generally speaking, a regionally accredited school is held to higher standards than nationally accredited schools. 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.
NCLEX Pass Rate: The NCLEX exam ensures that nurses are prepared to work as entry-level workers, so it’s recommended to look for schools that have at least a 90% pass rate. Utah's nursing institutions exhibit a strong NCLEX-RN pass rate of 89.67% in Q3.
Programs Offered: Know the programs offered in the institution.
Cost and Affordability: Somes schools are more affordable than others. 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.
Faculty and Resources: Consider the quality of faculty, the availability of resources, and the overall learning environment.

Top Nursing Colleges in Utah

Here's a detailed look at some of the best nursing colleges in Utah, offering a range of programs and specializations:

1. Western Governors University (WGU)

Overview: It is hard to beat Western Governors University if you wish to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City, WGU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #66 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means WGU is a great university overall.
Graduates: There were about 10410 nursing students who graduated with this degree at WGU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the nursing major at Western Governors University get $5,836 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE-accredited, nonprofit university offering bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, with the additional distinction of being named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing.
Online Programs: WGU 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.

2. University of Utah

Overview: Every student pursuing a degree in nursing needs to take a look at University of Utah. Located in the midsize city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #213 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means U of U is a great university overall.
Graduates: There were approximately 320 nursing students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent data year.
Programs: The University of Utah offers a diverse array of nursing programs through its College of Nursing. It provides a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Doctor of Nursing Practice, PhD, and Dual DNP-PhD programs. With the convenience of distance learning, eligible students can engage in online programs such as the RN-BS baccalaureate track, all MS programs, and select DNP tracks. Additionally, the college extends its offerings to include undergraduate and graduate certificates, specialized training in gerontology, and experiential education facilitated by the College of Nursing Simulation Center.
Rankings: The University of Utah College of Nursing continues to be recognized as a leader in nursing education with three programs receiving an increased national rank for 2025.
Special Programs: The College of Nursing also has various research centers, such as the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence and the Center of Excellence for Exposure Health Informatics (CEEHI). The university offers a bridge program for nursing students from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), and in addition to the traditional programs, the college provides a minor in Gerontology. The certified nurse-midwifery track in its DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education.
RN to BS Program: The RN to BS track of the baccalaureate program at the College of Nursing is ranked #1 in Utah and #3 in the nation by RegisteredNursing.org.
Multiple Tracks: 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.
PhD Program: The University of Utah also has the only nursing Ph.D.

3. AmeriTech College - Draper (Joyce University)

Overview: AmeriTech College - Draper is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. AmeriTech College - Draper is a small private for-profit college located in the suburb of Draper. Previously known as Ameritech College, Joyce University’s RN to BSN program has a 94% job placement rate, and it’s accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Graduates: There were roughly 778 nursing students who graduated with this degree at AmeriTech College - Draper in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program make an average of $65,857 for their early career.
Programs: 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.

4. Weber State University (WSU)

Overview: It is hard to beat Weber State University if you want to pursue a degree in nursing. Located in the small city of Ogden, WSU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #389 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means WSU is a great university overall.
Graduates: There were approximately 962 nursing students who graduated with this degree at WSU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the nursing program report average early career earnings of $67,586.
Programs: Weber State University adopts a career-ladder approach to nursing education, offering a seamless progression from entry-level positions to advanced roles. The Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing (SON) features four distinct program levels: Associate of Science in Nursing (AAS/AS), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Each level serves as a stepping stone to the next, allowing students to build upon their knowledge and skills while accommodating their abilities, aspirations, career goals, and life circumstances. The school provides various entry points, including its ADN program, with pathways for progression from practical nursing (PN) to ADN, BSN, and onward to either the MSN or DNP programs.
Study Abroad: Weber State University’s Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing offers study abroad options to nursing students, and its job placement rate for the ADN program was 85.2% in 2020-2021.

5. Nightingale College

Overview: Located in the city of Salt Lake City, Nightingale College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Graduates: There were approximately 295 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Nightingale College in the most recent data year. After graduating, nursing degree recipients usually earn an average of $67,093 at the beginning of their careers.

6. Westminster University

Overview: Westminster College Salt Lake is a small private not-for-profit college located in the city of Salt Lake City. This college ranks 8th out of 11 schools for overall quality in the state of Utah.
Graduates: There were roughly 125 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Westminster College Salt Lake in the most recent data year. Those nursing students who get their degree from Westminster College Utah earn $2,957 more than the average nursing grad.
Programs: Westminster University's nursing and health sciences academic programs integrate laboratory learning with diverse clinical experiences across leading healthcare delivery systems, hospitals, clinics, and community settings. Students benefit from cutting-edge technology and equipment in modern facilities while engaging in a variety of service-learning opportunities. Additionally, they learn from faculty who maintain active clinical practices. Undergraduate students can partake in university-wide international experiences and pursue an international nursing student exchange program through the McCormick School of Nursing at Payap University in Thailand. The school features a Skills Center with a simulation laboratory designed to replicate real-world work environments. This center supports experiential learning for adult, pediatric, mock hospital, and health assessment skills, alongside media-rich classrooms.
DNP Program: The Westminster College’s DNP in nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Programs.

7. Salt Lake Community College

Overview: Salt Lake Community College is a fairly large public college located in the large suburb of Salt Lake City. A Best Colleges rank of #443 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Salt Lake Community College is a great college overall.
Graduates: There were roughly 234 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Salt Lake Community College in the most recent year we have data available.
Partnership with University of Utah: Through the dual enrollment option, second- or third-semester SLCC nursing students participating in the Express Pathway can begin University of Utah RN to BS coursework while finishing their associate degree. Upon graduation from SLCC and passing the NCLEX-RN, students transition directly into the fully online RN to BS program at the University of Utah, enabling an efficient and streamlined route to earning a bachelor’s degree.

8. Utah State University (USU)

Overview: USU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Logan. This university ranks 6th out of 11 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.
Graduates: There were about 132 nursing students who graduated with this degree at USU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the nursing program make about $55,007 for their early career.
Location: Located in northern Utah, Utah State University may seem unassuming at first glance. USU’s traditional BSN program can be completed at the Logan campus.

9. Dixie State University (Utah Tech University)

Overview: Dixie State College is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Saint George. This university ranks 10th out of 11 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.
Graduates: There were approximately 317 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Dixie State College in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the nursing program earn around $69,616 for their early career.
Programs: Utah Tech University nursing programs are known for their commitment to educating nurses through rigorous learning, enabling graduates to provide dedicated and excellent healthcare. The faculty members serve as dedicated leaders, educators, and mentors, facilitating knowledge and skills acquisition to prepare multi-level caring Trailblazers who will promote and achieve quality health care across diverse roles and settings. The nursing programs at Utah Tech University promote a student-centered learning environment to facilitate active learning and the acquisition of skills, knowledge, and attitudes consistent with the practice of a professional nurse.

10. Brigham Young University (BYU)

Overview: Located in the medium-sized city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #257 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means BYU is a great university overall.
Graduates: There were roughly 143 nursing students who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent data year.
Characteristics: 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.

Additional Nursing Schools in Utah

Eagle Gate College
Provo College
Roseman University

Online Nursing Programs in Utah

For those seeking flexibility and convenience, several Utah nursing schools offer online programs:

University of Utah: Offers online RN to BSN, all MS programs, and select DNP tracks.
Weber State University: Offers online RN to BSN programs.
Joyce University: Offers an online RN to BSN program.
Western Governors University: Offers various online programs.
Southern New Hampshire University: Offers an affordable and transfer-friendly online RN to BSN program.

Specializations in Nursing

Utah's top nursing schools offer a wide array of specializations, providing students with diverse career pathways. These may include:

Pediatric Nursing
Psychiatric Nursing
Gerontological Nursing
Critical Care Nursing
Nurse Midwifery
Family Nurse Practitioner

Career Paths and Salary Expectations

Graduates from the best nursing schools in Utah can pursue rewarding career opportunities in various healthcare settings across the state. These include renowned institutions like Intermountain Healthcare, Utah's top employer.

Here's a breakdown of the average annual salaries in 2022:

Nurse Practitioners: $115,610
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary: $83,090
Registered Nurses: $76,400
Licensed Practical Nurses: $55,790
Nurse Midwives: $149,840 (Salt Lake City, UT only)

Salt Lake City remains a focal point for nursing employment, with 53.61% of registered nurses in Utah working in the city as of 2022.

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.

Read also: High School Diploma Jobs

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. 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.

Job Market and Future Trends

Projected job growth for select nursing professions in Utah suggests expansion opportunities. Nurse practitioners (NPs) anticipate a growth rate of 61.20% with 290 average annual openings while registered nurses (RNs) are projected to have a growth rate of 20% with 1,920 average annual openings.

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.

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