As Utah has become increasingly populous, the state’s higher education initiatives are also on the rise, particularly in the online learning landscape. Distance education opportunities in Utah host a higher percentage of online students than the national average, with more out-of-state learners than those living in the state.
The state’s primary industries remain technical and require highly trained workers/professionals. Having that said, Utah advocates for higher education funding in hopes of retaining Utah residents after high school, bringing new people to the state, and registering out-of-state students into distance learning in Utah.
Distance education in Utah offers numerous undergraduate and graduate degrees in different areas of study, such as business, education, sociology, and psychology. Some educational institutions also offer an RN-to-BSN, along with a degree in tourism and recreation, which requires in-person internships nearby the student’s area of residence. Distance education in the state of Utah provides benefits to students in different ways. First, convenience enables students to work and tend to their personal and professional obligations. Secondly, distance learning benefits people who live too far away from their brick-and-mortar campus, eliminating costly travel expenses. Third, tuition rates at online schools in Utah are comparable to those in other states. Fourth, obtaining an online degree is more affordable, as it reduces additional expenses for books, room and lodging, parking, and transportation. Lastly, today’s online programs are well-designed for meaningful interaction between students, instructors, and classmates.
When it comes to distance education, Utah officials work to get ahead of the curve, and the state legislature supports the Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP) that promotes high-quality digital courses. Students who attend these courses have a substantial advantage if they pursue a program through an online school in Utah.
METHODOLOGY
When in Utah, find the best online college or university that offers top-quality education. Sorting through your many options is the best way to go, but who has time for that? We’re here to help! The staff and researchers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com have put together the 5 Top Online Schools in Utah based on these factors:
- Rigorous coursework and comprehensive curricula covering the diverse courses,
- A top-quality virtual learning platform that makes it easy for online students to access their coursework, schedules, and requirements,
- Online professors who are renowned in their fields of study,
- Accreditation from academic organizations that emphasize educational excellence.
Check out our Methodology Page to find out about our ranking process.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University was founded in 1997 by a group of committees belonging to the Western Governors Association. WGU focuses mainly on accessibility and affordability for busy working adults looking to advance their careers. A forerunner in competency-based learning, the university offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, teaching, health & nursing, and information technology. Distance learners can skip parts of the course if they demonstrate they understand the topic or field well enough. WGU also offers a wide array of student support services such as an online library with librarians available via live chat.
Similar to other universities in Utah, WGU offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Management accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Students enroll in core business courses including Business Communication, Organizational Behavior, Business Ethics, Business Strategy, and Fundamentals for Success in Business. A capstone project is required that demonstrates the culmination of the student’s hard work, allowing them to take what they have learned and apply it to real-world scenarios. They can earn this degree between 19-46 months, depending on their timeframe and pace of learning.
Prospective graduate students may want to choose WGU’s unique Master of Science in Data Analytics, preparing them to become business analysts, data analysts, data engineers, information research scientists, and data administrators. Students enroll in core courses in Data Mining and Analytics I and II, Programming in Python, Advanced Data Visualization, Statistics for Data Analysis, and SAS Programming I and II. Students must complete a capstone requirement for the completion of this online degree program.
Online programs start on the first day of each month, and distance learners can complete coursework in six-month terms. Online students receive support and assistance from an assigned instructor and may opt to register for instructor-led cohorts. WGU has a generous transfer policy and reputation as a top military-friendly school, providing tuition aid and scholarship opportunities for veterans and service members.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Weber State University
Weber State University is founded by the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints in 1889. The university has a population of more than 20,000 enrolled students and features over 250 programs of study. WSU offers highly reputable nursing programs and accomplishments in space satellite initiatives. It ranks among the most affordable higher education institutions in the western part of the country. Known as a green college, the university has garnered sustainability recognitions and awards by eliminating its carbon footprint and focusing on becoming carbon-minimal by 2050, aiming to become the most ecologically-oriented online school in Utah. Distance learners can access coursework and other learning-related materials through the Canvas platform. WSU delivers some courses designed around a semester system, and others through an asynchronous self-paced learning format with a completion time of six months.
One of the unique programs offered by WSU includes a Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management, preparing students to develop a strong background in information systems technology and their role in the provision of advanced statistical procedures and management applicable to human resources, quality improvement, and information systems in the healthcare industries. Students enroll in courses in Health Care Data Analytics, Health Communication, Health Care Networks and Databases, Health Information Services Management, and Health Care Financial Administration, among other featured courses. A student may choose between a Practicum/Internship or a Baccalaureate Thesis & Presentation for the culmination of earning this degree.
Location: Ogden, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Utah State University
Utah State University is a land-grant and space-grant public research university established in 1888. The university has gained a reputation for its aerospace and technological research programs. In addition, the university is recognized for its focus on sustainability. USU adheres strong commitment to working toward carbon neutrality efforts and ranks as one of the greenest online schools in Utah. It has developed numerous eco-friendly programs, including shuttle transportation programs and energy-efficient initiatives.
Distance learners enjoy a wealth of student support services such as 24/7 IT Support, student software promo and discounts, online tutoring, disability resource center, and a gender resource center. Furthermore, USU provides a webinar series to provide orientation and assistance to new distance learners. USU’s learning management system, Canvas, guides students through the learning process.
One of the unique and rewarding programs includes a Bachelor of Science in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education that prepares students for graduate school in speech-language pathology, clinical or educational audiology. Students can choose whether they focus on either speech-language pathology or audiology. They enroll in courses in Child Language Development, Basic Audiology, Speech Science, Adult Communication Disorders, and Phonetics and Phonological Development, among other unique courses.
On the other hand, graduates who want to consider a master’s degree at USU can enroll in the Master’s Degree in Horticulture, regarded as the only degree that focuses on urban landscape water conservation. Students must have 33-credit hours, with 21-credit hours for the required courses and 4-credit hours of internship experience or capstone initiative. They take courses in Turfgrass Management, Annual and Perennial Plant Materials, Arboriculture, Residential Landscapes, and Fundamentals of Soil Science, among other featured courses.
Location: Logan, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
University of Utah
The University of Utah has a reputation for being an innovative startup culture in entertainment arts and engineering as well as several student-faculty collaborations. The university is one of the academic institutions that has been recognized for its sustainability programs, developing campus food gardens and environmental observatory. Student support services for distance learners include free tutoring services, online course demo, counseling and career coaching, and writing center. The university also offers a virtual proctoring service for out-of-state students who are unable to travel for test proctoring, allowing exam-taking at the student’s specific location through web camera observation by a third-party client.
Similar to other universities in Utah, U of U offers a popular Bachelor of Science in Psychology, offering a dynamic, research-centered major and minor to undergraduate students. Students are required to have 122-credit hours for program completion. The coursework is divided into five major topics namely Developmental, Social, Clinical, Cognitive, and Neuroscience Core. Required courses include General Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Psychology as a Science and a Profession, and Statistical Methods in Psychology.
Prospective graduates wanting to pursue a master’s degree in the U of U can enroll in the Master of Science in Gerontology, requiring 33-34 credit hours for program completion. A 150-hour practicum is required for graduation. Students enroll in courses in Health and Optimal Aging, Physiology and Psychology of Aging, Introduction to Aging, Social and Public Policy and Aging, and Services Agencies and Programs for Older Adults, among others. Students can choose whether they can have the Master’s Thesis, making up 33-credit hours or the Master’s Project, making up 34-credit hours of the program.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University has a reputation for providing world-class learning to prepare graduates for fulfilling careers. The university promotes professional excellence and civic stewardship as well as personal growth. SUU is a distance learning school that is popular among outdoor recreation enthusiasts in Utah. The university has integrated the Canvas platform, allowing distance learners to access courses, syllabus, assignments, research work, and other learning-related materials. Student support services include career counseling, online test proctoring, online library, and 24/7 technical support.
SUU’s 100% online Master of Science in Sports Conditioning and Performance delivers extensive online curricula in sports conditioning, allowing professionals to design effective and safe exercise and conditioning programs. Students will learn the foundations needed to help individuals perform at peak capacity to develop a physical fitness routine. Students must have 33-credit hours for program completion. They enroll in core courses in Evaluation in Sport Fitness, Foundations of Sports Conditioning, Introduction to Sport Science Research and Statistics, Resistance Training Techniques, and Advanced Techniques of Sports Conditioning among others.
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Utah is part of the 16-member states of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which provides several benefits and perks for resident students who want to venture in distance education. For example, several thousands of Utah residents have saved millions of dollars while earning an online or traditional degree through the WICHE’s student exchange program. Moreover, its State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement makes online programs accessible to students regardless of their status of residency. Other states include Alaska, Arizona, Wyoming, Washington, Colorado, California, South Dakota, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, and the U.S. Pacific Territories and the Freely Associated States.
CollegeBoard says that the average cost of tuition and expenses for a public, four-year college/university in Utah stood at $6,800, considering it one of the cheapest states to earn a degree. In-state tuition at the University of Utah averaged $8,800, while out-of-state tuition averaged $28,100. Public universities typically charge higher tuition rates for non-resident students. This out-of-state tuition happens mainly because those students and their families have not paid taxes in Utah or any particular state. There are several opportunities to help reduce the cost of studying in a different state. Numerous online schools in Utah charge in-state and out-of-state students the same. One of these options is the Western Undergraduate Exchange, an initiative offered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. The WUE program enables students from a WICHE state or territory to enroll any of more than 150 colleges and universities in a different WICHE state or territory at a non-resident tuition fee of 150% of the in-state tuition fee.
Ultimately, students who pursue distance learning in an accredited online school in Utah earn the same top-quality education and reputable credentials as those with traditional on-campus learning.
METHODOLOGY
Our list of the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Utah presents the cheapest online colleges in the state. They all provide not only inexpensive degree programs but also high-quality education and training that prepares distance learners for their professional careers. Each of the affordable online colleges on this list helps students land scholarships and acquire financial aid grants.
Utah State University
Utah State University is not only known as one of the best online schools around Utah; it is also one of the state’s most affordable! The university offers online education opportunities through correspondence courses. They are distance learning innovators that have promoted online learning programs since 1997. Currently, USU offers numerous bachelor’s and master’s degree online programs as well as certificate and associate degree programs. USU delivers a semester-based, 7-week learning format as well as accelerated courses to offer flexibility and convenience for non-traditional students, without compromising their professional and personal obligations.
USU is the only online school that offers a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness, providing a solid foundation in business as well as agricultural knowledge and qualifications enabling students to specialize in agribusiness professional pathways. Students must have 120-credit hours to complete the program. Moreover, they enroll in agribusiness program requirements and courses including Introduction to Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Analytical Methods in Applied Economics, Introduction to Natural Resource and Regional Economics, Business Law, and Principles of Management Information Systems, among other featured courses.
Tuition and fees vary per degree program and residency status. Utah undergraduates approximately pay $1,474 per semester, while Utah Non-residents pay $3,858 per semester. Out-of-state undergraduate students pay $1,047 per semester. On the other hand, Utah graduates approximately pay $4,835 per semester, while graduate students who live outside Utah will pay approximately $1,335 per semester. Some courses and programs charge more fees and differential tuition than other specific programs. Student fees differ per residency status, as applicable fees for students who live in Logan must be settled. The university has a wide array of financial aid opportunities in the form of scholarships, grants, merits, and federal work-study programs.
Location: Logan, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
University of Utah
The University of Utah has been a pioneer of distance education around Utah for several years. In 2017, they officially launched their “Block U” courses, an association of general education requirements that enables students to complete their full undergraduate degree virtually. One of the mandatory classes for freshmen is named “Global Citizen,” which aspires to foster collaboration among different groups of distance learners. UU uses a similar team of faculty and 16-week calendar as traditional learning. Examinations are proctored through the UOnline Center inside the library.
Similar to other academic institutions around Utah, UU has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) program, specially designed for licensed Registered Nurses who desire career advancement, professional expansion, and baccalaureate-level competencies. Students will have extensive exposure to evidence-based practice, nursing research, and society-engaged learning. They enroll in core nursing courses such as Nutrition Intervention, Medical Microbiology, Elementary Chemistry, Principles of Biology, and Human Development: Lifespan, to mention a few. Students complete a clinical capstone requirement during the fourth semester.
Tuition and Fees vary per degree program and specialization. An undergraduate Utah resident enrolled in BSN approximately pays $1,345 per semester. On the other hand, non-Utah graduate students of BSN pays roughly $3,967 per semester. Tuition for distance education courses is based on residency. Distance learners pay an additional $60 fee per course to cover the expenses of operating online courses. A more detailed estimation can be made through the Tuition Calculator. Financial Aid opportunities are readily available for distance learners.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Western Governors University
Western Governors University is an accredited distance education academic institution with students in 50 states and numerous international military bases. The school’s roster of undergraduate and graduate programs include business, education, healthcare, information technology, and engineering. WGU is the pioneer in competency-based learning, an initiative that permits distance learners to complete courses once they have demonstrated mastery of the subject matter. With this, students work in an accelerated format. All programs begin in the first week of each month.
WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Software Development provides a concrete foundation in application development, web development, and computer programming. It integrates several industry-recognized certification programs from CIW and CompTIA into the curriculum. Students may choose from two tracks, either Java or C#. 73% of graduates complete this degree in 9-33 months, depending on their pace and timeframe of learning. Students enroll in mandatory core courses such as User Experience Design, Scripting and Programming- Applications, Software Quality Assurance, Business of IT- Project Management, and Web Development Foundations, among many others.
WGU’s tuition and fees are based on a flat-rate basis. The more courses each student completes each term, the more affordable his or her degree becomes. The undergraduate program fee is $3,225 per semester, while the graduate program fee is $3,540 per semester. Both undergraduate and graduate levels have a resource fee of $145 and a program fee of $150 on top of the tuition fee. WGU has a generous number of scholarships for qualified students. Financial Aid is available for eligible students.
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University is a public institution that offers numerous online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate degree programs for non-traditional students seeking convenient and flexible distance education opportunities. SUU was founded in 1897 and currently enrolls 9,000 students. It has earned the Carnegie Classification “Master’s University: Larger Program” with more than 200 Master’s degree programs.
One of the unique programs offered by SUU includes Master of Music Education, specially designed for current music teachers. Instructors will use their classrooms as experimental laboratories while they enhance their best practices, improve as artists and broaden their pedagogy. In this program, students comply with three-week on-campus sessions in June and enroll in courses online throughout the academic year. They sign up for mandatory courses such as Music Teaching and Learning, Curriculum Organization in Music Education, Music Theory Pedagogy, Conducting I and II, and 21st Century Research and Data, among many other courses. A capstone project must be completed to earn an online degree. Students must earn 30-credit hours in the completion of this program.
Tuition and Fees vary per residency status. Resident Tuition fee is at $3,003 per semester, while Non-Resident Tuition is at $9,911 per semester. Both non-residents and residents pay $382 per semester. Mandatory fees and differential tuition apply whenever applicable. Scholarships, loans, and grants are available through SUU.
Location: Cedar City, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Weber State University
Weber State University celebrated its 20th birthday in 2018. The university has developed its distance education programs throughout the years. Online courses are offered in two learning formats: independent study/self-paced learning, and semester-based format. Self-paced learning formats provide the utmost flexibility, enabling distance learners to work or study at their own pace and earn within a six-month time frame. The university is dedicated to delivering instructional design workshops for their team of faculty members, enabling them to take advantage of the technology. As such, this provides students the opportunity to receive a top-quality distance education experience.
One of Weber’s unique degree programs is the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences that involves attending classes in advanced radiologic sciences, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, and sonography. The specializations include Advanced Radiologic Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiation Therapy.
Tuition and Fees depend on residency status. Undergraduate Utah residents pay $581.83 per credit hour, while non-residents pay $1,480.46 per credit hour. Graduate programs differ per type of degree. Master’s degree in English, Respiratory Therapy, Computer Engineering, Professional Communication, Electrical Engineering, and Radiological Science pay $763.78 per credit hour for Utah Residents, while non-Utah residents pay $1,752.28 per credit hour. Several financial aid opportunities are available for distance learners in the form of scholarships, loans, grants, and federal work-study programs.
Location: Ogden, Utah
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application for Admission
- Official Transcript of Records from previous college or universities attended
- Official High School Transcripts
Accreditation: The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
