University of Utah: A Comprehensive Overview of Rankings, Academics, and Campus Life

The University of Utah, often referred to as the U, U of U, or simply Utah, stands as a prominent public research university in Salt Lake City. Founded in 1850 as the University of Deseret, it has grown into a comprehensive institution with a rich history, diverse academic programs, and a vibrant campus community. This article delves into various aspects of the University of Utah, including its rankings, academic offerings, campus life, and notable alumni.

Historical Overview

The University of Utah's origins trace back to February 28, 1850, when it was established as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret. Orson Spencer was appointed as the first chancellor. The institution's initial name was derived from the provisional state proposed by followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormon, who were the founders of Salt Lake City.

Early classes were conducted in private residences and other available spaces. After holding intermittent classes in the Salt Lake City Council House for several years, the university began its re-establishment in 1867, led by David O. Calder, succeeded by John R. Park in 1869. In 1876, the university relocated from the council house to the Union Academy building, and in 1884, it moved to Union Square.

The institution's name was officially changed to the University of Utah in 1892. In 1900, the university made a permanent move to the site of the former U.S. Army's Fort Douglas on the east bench of the Salt Lake Valley. Over the years, additional Fort Douglas land has been granted to the university, and the fort was officially decommissioned on October 26, 1991.

Rankings and Recognition

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Utah is ranked No. 151 in National Universities, and No. 79 in Top Public Schools.

Academics

Enrollment and Faculty

As of fall 2024, the University of Utah has a total undergraduate enrollment of 28,064. The student-faculty ratio at the university is 19:1. The university employs a semester-based academic calendar.

Colleges and Programs

The University of Utah offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across various colleges and departments.

Undergraduate Programs:

Accounting BA/BS
Anthropology BA/BS
Applied Mathematics BS
Architectural Studies BS
Art BFA (Ceramics, Cross 3-D: Ceramics & Sculpture, Graphic Design, Painting & Drawing, Photography/Digital Imaging, Printmaking, Sculpture/Intermedia)
Art History BA
Asian Studies BA
Athletic Training
Atmospheric Sciences BS
Bachelor of University Studies
Ballet BFA
Behavioral Science & Health BA/BS
Biology BA/BS
Biomedical Engineering BS
Business Administration BA/BS
Chemical Engineering BS
Chemistry BA/BS
Civil & Environmental Engineering BS
Communication Sciences and Disorders BA/BS
Comparative Literary & Cultural Studies BA
Computer Engineering BS
Computer Science BS- Entertainment Arts & Engineering
Consumer & Community Studies BA/BS- Family & Consumer Studies Dept.
Financial Planning
Earth Sciences Teaching Composite BSEconomics BA/BS
Electrical & Computer Engineering BS
Elementary Education BA/BSEnglish BA
Entrepreneurship BS
Environmental Studies BS
Exercise & Sport Science BS (Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Fitness Leadership)
Film and Media Arts BA- Entertainment Arts & Engineering
Finance BA/BS
Gender Studies BA/BS
Geography BA/BS
Geological Engineering BS
Geoscience BS
Health Promotion and Education BS (Community Health Education, Consumer Health, Emergency Medical Services, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Provider Health, School Health Teaching)
History BA
Human Development & Family Studies BA/BS- Family & Consumer Studies Dept. Early Childhood Education
Information Systems BA/BS
International Studies BA/BS
Languages BA
Latin Amerian Studies BA
Linguistics BA
Management BA/BS
Marketing BA/BS
Mass Communication BA/BS
Materials Science & Engineering BS
Mathematics BA/BS (Scientific Computing, Statistics)
Mechanical Engineering BS
Medical Laboratory Science BS
Metallurgical Engineering BS
Middle East Studies BA
Mining Engineering BS
Modern Dance BFA
Music BA/BMus
Nursing BS
Occupational Therapy Studies BS-MOT
Operations Management BS
Parks, Recreation & Tourism BA/BS (Adventure & Outdoor Programs, Commercial Recreation Mgt., Community Recreation & Sport Mgt., Hospitality Managment, NR-Recreation Planning & Mgt., Sustainable Tourism Mgt., Therapeutic Recreation)
Pharmacy PharmD
Philosophy BA/BS
Physics BA/BS
Political Science BA/BS
Psychology BA/BS
Secondary Education
Social Science Teaching Composite BA/BS
Social Work BSWSociology BA/BS
Special Education BS
Speech Communication BA/BS
Theatre BA/BFA
Urban Planning BA/BS

Graduate Programs:

Anthropology M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Architecture + Planning M.S., M.Arch, joint M.Arch.-M.B.A
Art History M.A.
Art M.F.A.
Atmospheric Sciences M.S., Ph.D.
Audiology M.A., M.S., Au.D.
Ballet M.F.A., M.A.
Biochemistry M.S., Ph.D.
Bioengineering M.E., M.S., Ph.D.
Biological Chemistry Degrees are granted through 6 departments and not through this program
Biology M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Biomedical Informatics M.S., Ph.D.
Business Administration M.B.A., M.Phil.;also joint M.B.A.-M.Arch.,M.P.H.- M.H.A., M.B.A.-J.D.,Ph.D
Chemical Engineering M.E., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Chemical Physics Ph.D.
Chemistry M.A., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
City and Metropolitan Planning M.S.Ph.D.
Civil Engineering M.E., M.S., Ph.D.
Communication M.A., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Computational Engineering and Science M.S.
Computer Science M.E., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Computing MS, Ph.D.
Creative Writing M.F.A.
Economics M.A., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Education, Culture and Society M.A., M.S., M.Ed., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Educational Leadership and Policy M.Ed., M. Phil., Ed.D., Ph.D.;also joint Ed.D.-M.P.A.,Ph.D.-M.P.A.
Educational Psychology M.Ed., M.A., M.S., M. Phil., Ph.D.
Electrical Engineering E.E., M.E., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Engineering M.E.
English M.A., Ph.D.
Environmental Engineering M.E., M.S., Ph.D.
Environmental Humanities M.A., M.S.
Exercise and Sport Science M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D., Ed.D
Experimental Pathology M.Phil., Ph.D.
Family & Consumer Studies M.ED.
Film Studies M.F.A.
Finance M.S.
Genetic Counseling M.S.
Geography M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Geological Engineering M.E., M.S., Ph.D.
Geology M.S., Ph.D.
Geophysics M.S., Ph.D.
Gerontology M.S.
Health Promotion and Education M.S., M.Phil., Ed.D., Ph.D.
History M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Human Development and Social Policy M.S.
Human Genetics M.S., Ph.D.
International Affairs & Global Enterprise M.S.
Laboratory Medicine and Biomedical Science M.S.
Language Pedagogy M.A.
Languages and Literature M.A., Ph.D.
Law J.D.;also joint J.D.-M.B.A.,J.D.-M.P.A., J.D.-M.P.P., LL.M.
Linguistics M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Management M.S.
Marketing M.S.
Materials Science and Engineering M.E., M.S., Ph.D.
Mathematics M.A., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineering M.E., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Medicinal Chemistry M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Medicine M.D. joint M.D.-Ph.D
Metallurgical Engineering M.E., M.S., Ph.D.
Middle East Studies M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. also joint M.D.-Ph.D
Nuclear Engineering M.E., M.S., Ph.D.
Nursing M.S., D.N.P. Ph.D.
Nutrition M.S.
Occupational Health M.S., M.O.H.
Occupational Therapy M.O.T.
Oncological Sciences M.A., M.S., M. Phil., Ph.D.
Parks, Recreation and Tourism M.S., M.Phil., Ed.D., Ph.D.
Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Pharmacology and Toxicology M.S., Ph.D. also joint M.D.-Ph.D.
Pharmacotherapy M.S., Ph.D.
Pharmacy Pharm.D.
Philosophy M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Physical Therapy M.P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D.
Physician Assistant Studies M.P.A.S.
Physics M.A., M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Physiology M.Phil., Ph.D.
Political Science M.A., M.Phil., M.S., Ph.D.
Psychology M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Public Administration M.P.A.; also joint M.P.A. with Educational Leadership and Policy , Middle East Studies , Law , Public Health , or Social Work
Public Health M.P.H., M.S., Ph.D. also joint M.P.H.- M.H.A.
Public Policy M.P.P., also joint M.P.P.-J.D.
Science and Technology M.S.T.
Social Work M.S.W.

Admissions

The University of Utah accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The school's in-state tuition and fees are $10,848; out-of-state tuition and fees are $35,198. Thirty-seven percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $9,422.

Graduation and Outcomes

The four-year graduation rate is 37%. Six years after graduation, the median salary for graduates is $55,239.

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Research and Innovation

According to the National Science Foundation, the university received $723.7 million in research and development funding in fiscal year 2023, ranking it 47th in the nation. The university has made unique contributions to the study of genetics due in part to long-term genealogy efforts of the LDS Church, which has allowed researchers to trace genetic disorders through several generations.

Academic Freedom Controversy

The university faced an academic freedom controversy in 1915 when Joseph T. Kingsbury recommended the dismissal of five faculty members after a graduation speaker criticized Utah's governor. This led to a third of the faculty resigning in protest. Some attributed the dismissals to the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, while others saw it as a broader suppression of religious and political expression. The controversy largely ended with Kingsbury's resignation in 1916.

Unique Programs

The Department of Ballet offers a top-ranked ballet and ballroom dance program in the United States, one of the oldest and most reputable university ballet departments in the country. In July of 2023 the university created the Division of Games as an academic department. In 2024, The Princeton Review ranked it first among public universities and its graduate program second, Animation Career Review ranked it fourth in 2025, and in 2026 the US News rankings listed it in the number two position for "Best Undergraduate Game Design Programs". The S.J. Quinney College of Law, founded in 1913, was the only law school in Utah until the 1970s.

Campus Life

Location and Setting

The University of Utah is situated in an urban setting on a 1,534-acre campus.

Campus Features and Facilities

Most courses are held on the west side of campus, known as lower campus. Presidents Circle is a loop of buildings named after past university presidents with a courtyard in the center. Major libraries on lower campus include the J. Willard Marriott Library and the S.J. Quinney Law Library. The primary student activity center is the A. Ray Olpin University Union. Lower campus is also home to most public venues, such as the RiceâEccles Stadium, the Jon M. Huntsman Center, and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Venues for performing arts include Kingsbury Hall, Pioneer Memorial Theatre, David P. Gardner Hall, and the Marriott Center for Dance. The health sciences complex, at the northeast end of campus, includes the University of Utah Medical Center, Primary Children's Medical Center, the Huntsman Cancer Institute, the Moran Eye Center, and the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library. Courses are also held at off-campus centers located in St. George and Sandy.

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Student Housing

The University of Utah provides student housing in a 34-building housing complex on campus. The complex consists of nine housing areas: Chapel Glen, Gateway Heights, Sage Point, Officer's Circle, Benchmark Plaza, Shoreline Ridge, the Donna Garff Marriott Honors Residential Scholars Community (MHC for short), the Lassonde Studios, and Kahlert Village. Close to 50% of freshmen live on campus, but most students choose to live elsewhere after their first year, with 13% of all undergraduates living on campus. An additional 1,115 family apartments are available to students, staff, and faculty.

Transportation

A number of campus shuttles, running on biodiesel and used vegetable oil, circle the campus on six different routes. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) runs several buses through the university area as well as the TRAX Red Line (light rail). In 2012, the university unveiled a new plan for a more conducive campus for bicyclists called the "Bicycle Master Plan".

Sustainability

The expanded recycling program launched on July 1, 2007. The university houses 10 solar array systems, including a 330-kilowatt system on the rooftop of the Natural History Museum of Utah and a 262-kilowatt system at the HPER East building. On November 1, 2019, the university entered into a renewable energy partnership with Rocky Mountain Power and Cyrq Energy which allows the purchase of 20 megawatts of geothermal energy for 25 years.

Student Activities

The current student activity center, the A. Ray Olpin University Union, is a common gathering place for university-wide events such as Crimson Nights, roughly monthly student activity nights; PlazaFest, a fair for campus groups at the start of the school year; and the Grand Kerfuffle, a concert at the end of the school year. The building includes a cafeteria, computer lab, recreational facilities, and a ballroom for special events.

Media

The university has several public broadcasting affiliations, many of which utilize the Eccles Broadcast Center. The Daily Utah Chronicle, also referred to as the Chrony, has been the university's independent, student-run paper since 1890.

Governance

The University of Utah is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees, 8 of whom are appointed by the Governor of Utah with the consent of the Utah Senate. The President of the University of Utah Alumni Association serves as the 9th member, and the President of the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU) serves as the 10th member. Subject to the board of trustees, the university faculty have authority to legislate on matters of educational policy via the Academic Senate.

Athletics

The University of Utah has nine men's and 11 women's varsity teams. The school's sports teams are called the Utes. The university participates in the NCAA's Division I (FBS for football) as part of the Big 12 Conference. There is a fierce BYUâUtah rivalry, and the UtahâBYU football game, traditionally the season finale, has been called the "Holy War" by national broadcasting commentators. The university fight song is "Utah Man". In 1996, Swoop was introduced as the new mascot of the University of Utah.

The men's basketball team won the NCAA title in 1944 and the NIT crown in 1947. 2008â2009 was another undefeated year for the football team, coached by Kyle Whittingham, as they finished the season 13â0 and defeated Alabama 31â17 in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. The Utah Utes moved to the Pac-12 Conference for the start of the 2011â2012 football season.

The women's gymnastics team has won ten national championships, including the 1981 AIAW championship, and placed 2nd nationally eight times. As of 2013, it has qualified for the NCAA championship every year since 1976, the only program to do so.

The university marching band, known as the "Pride of Utah", perform at all home football games, as well as some away games and bowl games.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

Notable University of Utah alumni include Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, and J. Willard Marriott, founder of Marriott International. Other notable alumni include politicians Rocky Anderson, Bob Bennett, Marsha K. Caddle, Merrill Cook, E. Jake Garn, Jon Huntsman, Jr., Karen Morgan, Frank E. Moss, Joshua Rush, and Karl Rove; recent LDS Church presidents Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and Russell M. Nelson; and entrepreneurs Alan Ashton, Nolan Bushnell, and Robert A. Checchi. Notable science and engineering alumni include Jim Blinn, Mark W. Fuller, Andrea Russell, Jim Clark, Gretchen W. McClain, Henri Gouraud, and John C. Warnock. Notable faculty in science and engineering include David Evans and Ivan Sutherland, founders of Evans and Sutherland, Bui Tuong Phong, pioneer of computer graphics, and Henry Eyring.

Asia Campus

The University of Utah Asia Campus opened as an international branch campus in the Incheon Global Campus in Songdo, Incheon, South Korea in 2014.

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