Utah has a young, fast-growing population and some of the busiest health systems in the Mountain West, so nursing graduates are in steady demand. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 5.
Imagine finishing your last clinical shift in Salt Lake City, driving home with the Wasatch Mountains glowing pink at sunset, and knowing that a job offer is waiting from the hospital where you trained. For many Utah nursing students, that is exactly how the final semester ends.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Utah that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Utah nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University | Provo | Private nonprofit | 81% | 124 | $69,612 | $6,888 |
| 2 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City | Public | 66% | 219 | $77,686 | $9,832 |
| 3 | Westminster University | Salt Lake City | Private nonprofit | 64% | 52 | $77,762 | $44,980 |
| 4 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City | Public | 62% | 115 | $69,763 | $7,094 |
| 5 | Utah State University | Logan | Public | 60% | 66 | $69,842 | $9,412 |
| 6 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City | Private nonprofit | 50% | 5885 | $91,037 | $8,730 |
| 7 | Weber State University | Ogden | Public | 50% | 377 | $70,949 | $6,625 |
| 8 | Utah Valley University | Orem | Public | 47% | 124 | $63,289 | $6,674 |
| 9 | Utah Tech University | Saint George | Public | 38% | 224 | $74,370 | $6,480 |
Also offering a BSN in Utah (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nightingale College | Salt Lake City | Private for-profit | 21% | 896 | $79,165 | n/a |
| Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences | Draper | Private for-profit | 68% | 387 | $72,114 | $23,710 |
| Provo College | Provo | Private for-profit | 61% | 176 | $64,935 | $16,606 |
| Eagle Gate College-Layton | Layton | Private for-profit | 53% | 52 | $70,599 | n/a |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Salt Lake City | Murray | Private for-profit | n/a | 52 | $85,460 | $22,707 |
| Eagle Gate College-Murray | Murray | Private for-profit | 50% | 40 | $70,599 | $16,606 |
Top Utah nursing schools reviewed
1. Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University in Provo is a large private university sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its College of Nursing has a strong reputation for clinical preparation, and the university has the highest overall graduation rate on our Utah list.
- Graduation rate: 81%, number 1 in Utah on our list
- Programme size: about 124 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $69,612 one year after graduating
- Cost: $6,888 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 68%
2. University of Utah
The University of Utah in Salt Lake City is the state’s flagship public research university. Its College of Nursing works closely with University of Utah Health, giving students placements in an academic medical centre with specialist services.
- Graduation rate: 66%, number 2 in Utah on our list
- Programme size: about 219 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $77,686 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,832 in-state tuition ($31,768 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 86%
3. Westminster University
Westminster University is a private liberal arts university in Salt Lake City, known as Westminster College until 2023. Its smaller classes suit students who want close contact with faculty.
- Graduation rate: 64%, number 3 in Utah on our list
- Programme size: about 52 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $77,762 one year after graduating
- Cost: $44,980 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 67%
4. Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University in Cedar City is a public university serving southern Utah, with a nursing programme that prepares graduates for hospitals and rural communities in the region.
- Graduation rate: 62%, number 4 in Utah on our list
- Programme size: about 115 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $69,763 one year after graduating
- Cost: $7,094 in-state tuition ($21,646 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 82%
5. Utah State University
Utah State University in Logan is the state’s public land-grant university, with campuses across Utah. Its nursing programme supports workforce needs in northern and rural Utah.
- Graduation rate: 60%, number 5 in Utah on our list
- Programme size: about 66 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $69,842 one year after graduating
- Cost: $9,412 in-state tuition ($26,259 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 92%
Studying nursing in Utah: what to know
Utah is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence issued in Utah lets you practise in other compact states. Licensing is handled by the Division of Professional Licensing, which works with the Board of Nursing. Utah also has a large network of community colleges and technical colleges offering associate degrees, and many students begin there before transferring or completing an RN-to-BSN later. Competition for places in the most popular BSN programmes is strong, so apply early and check prerequisite deadlines.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Utah
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing). Utah is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Utah offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 15 colleges in Utah produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 8,789 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Utah nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
Brigham Young University has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 81%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Utah?
Western Governors University produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 5885 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Utah?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $63,289 to $91,037, with a typical (median) figure of about $70,949. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Utah?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $6,480 to $9,832 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing) publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing) website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Utah Division of Professional Licensing (Board of Nursing), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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