Best Colleges in Utah – 2024

Academic Highlights: Required coursework for BYU undergraduates includes a number of courses in the Mormon faith as well as an extensive core curriculum that supports BYU’s larger mission “to provide an education that is (1) spiritually strengthening, (2) intellectually enlarging, and (3) character building, leading to (4) lifelong learning and service.”  A 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio translates to some undergraduate sections being a bit large. However, those lecture hall courses are balanced with classes of more modest size; 46% of courses have nineteen or fewer students. The school does an excellent job getting undergraduate students involved in hands-on research.

Professional Outcomes: By a wide margin, the two largest employers of BYU alums are the university itself and Intermountain Healthcare. However, there are hundreds of Cougars working at major corporations including Deloitte, Raytheon Technologies, Goldman Sachs, and Amazon. The median salary of a 2023 grad was $64,000. Brigham Young is in the same league with Berkeley, Cornell, the University of Michigan, and the University of Wisconsin in terms of producing future PhDs. Over the past decade, more than 3,000 alumni have gone on to earn doctoral degrees.

Academic Highlights: The university’s 18 colleges and schools house 100+ undergraduate programs. Forty-four percent of courses enroll 19 students or fewer, while 19% are on the larger side, enrolling 50 or more students. Those seeking more personalized mentorship can pursue opportunities through the Office of Undergraduate Research, which connects with over 3,600 students in person and another 4,200+ via its virtual Education Series. Those who wish to study abroad can access over 50 programs in 26 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 71% of recent grads planned to enter full-time employment, while 25% jumped directly into an advanced degree program. Employers hiring the greatest number of Utes include Intermountain Healthcare, Goldman Sachs, Amazon, Adobe, Microsoft, Google, and Lucid Software. The average starting salary is $55,714, and the median is $52,000.

Academic Highlights: As home to the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, Utah State University provides exceptional opportunities for hands-on discovery, supported by major grants from the U.S. Department of Defense, National Science Foundation, and Department of Health and Human Services. Students choose from 130+ majors across nine colleges, learning in an intimate environment with an average class size of 14 and a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio. With 50+ research institutes and global study options spanning 90 countries, USU combines rigorous academics with transformative experiential learning.

Professional Outcomes: USU graduates launch careers with world-class employers, including NASA, Google, Boeing, Goldman Sachs, Adobe, and Ford. While many alumni strengthen Utah’s workforce, particularly in the Salt Lake City area, the university’s strong research foundation and global perspective prepare graduates to compete nationwide. USU’s focus on practical learning yields strong early-career outcomes, with graduates earning a median starting salary of $51,600.

Academic Highlights: Utah Tech University is an open-access institution renowned for its hands-on learning approach and strong industry partnerships that provide students with real-world experience. The university offers 56 undergraduate degree programs and 48 minors across seven colleges, fostering a personalized learning environment with a 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 23. Every undergraduate has the opportunity to engage in research, ensuring practical skill development alongside academic study.

Professional Outcomes: Graduates of Utah Tech launch their careers with regional and national employers, including Intermountain Health, SkyWest Airlines, the Washington County School District, and the City of St. George, as well as higher education institutions like the University of Utah. Many alumni remain in Utah after graduation, with a strong presence in the Greater St. George area and the Salt Lake City metropolitan region, contributing to the state’s workforce and community growth.

Academic Highlights: Weber State University delivers accessible, high-quality education through 100+ undergraduate majors, serving a diverse student body from all 50 states and 64 countries. With a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, WSU combines the resources of a comprehensive university with personalized attention. The university fosters hands-on learning through initiatives like its annual Research & Engagement Symposium, where 103 students presented scholarly work in 2024, demonstrating WSU’s commitment to connecting classroom theory with real-world application.

Professional Outcomes: Weber State graduates form the backbone of Utah’s professional workforce, securing positions at leading employers including Intermountain Health, Northrop Grumman, and the University of Utah Health. Most alumni choose to build their careers in the thriving Salt Lake City metropolitan area, contributing to the region’s economy. These outcomes reflect WSU’s success in fulfilling its mission of educational access while preparing graduates who make immediate impacts in their communities and industries.