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Utah Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide

    The following guide to nursing schools in Utah contains important information, including several program profiles, on the many undergraduate and graduate nursing programs offered in the state. Students can generally tailor their nursing degree by concentrating in a specific area such as nurse educator or nurse administrator. In addition to Utah’s traditional nursing programs, prospective nursing students have the option of earning a bachelor’s or a master’s in nursing either partially- or fully-online through many schools.

    Quick Facts

    • 21 schools with nursing programs in Utah are in our database (see below).
    • 15 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
    • 9 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
    • 7 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
    • 1 school ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
    • No schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
    • 2 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
    • 1 school ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4

    Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in Utah

    Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*

    • University of Utah (#49 in-state, #67 out-of-state)

    *Institution-wide ranking.

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s

    • University of Utah (#30 tie)
    • Brigham Young University (#197 tie)

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice

    • University of Utah (#19 tie)

    Read below to find more information about undergraduate and advanced nursing degree programs available in Utah.

    NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Utah

    The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Utah nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the Utah Board of Nursing (https://dopl.utah.gov/nursing/).

    SchoolADN or LVN ProgramBSN ProgramGraduate Nursing ProgramACEN/CCNE Accred.*NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^# TakingNet Price^^
    Bridgerland Applied Technology CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%40N/AN/A$6,284
    Brigham Young UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A97.3%112$12,900
    Davis Applied Technology CollegeYesNoNoACEN97%67N/AN/A$345
    Mountainland Applied Technology CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%43N/AN/A$12,525
    Nightingale CollegeYesYesNoACENN/AN/A51.8%83$2,221
    Ogden-Weber Applied Technology CollegeYesNoNoACEN97.4%38N/AN/A$2,947
    Roseman UniversityNoYesNoACENN/AN/A82%168N/A
    Salt Lake Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/AN/AN/A$7,619
    Snow CollegeYesNoNoACEN88.6%3554.8%17$10,622
    Southern Utah UniversityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A90.2%41$14,429
    Uintah Basin Applied Technology CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%15N/AN/A$3,351
    University of UtahNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A86.9%53$12,136
    Utah State UniversityYesYesNoACEN82.4%3487.1%27$11,686
    Utah Tech UniversityYesYesNoACENN/AN/A64.5%31$5,453
    Utah Valley UniversityYesYesYesACENN/AN/A85.4%70$6,565
    Weber State UniversityYesYesYesACENN/AN/A84.5%284$10,669
    Western Governors UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A94.7%19$8,667
    Westminster CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A93.8%81$23,075

    *The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
    **NCLEX-PN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates who graduated from an LPN program testing between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).

    Schools in Utah with Nursing Degrees

    Associate’s in Nursing Programs

    Utah Tech University
    Utah Tech University offers an associate degree nursing (ADN) program that can be completed in as few as three semesters once prerequisites are met. Admission to the program is competitive; accepted students are admitted in either the fall or spring semester. Nursing courses offered include Complex Health and Illness Concepts, Professional Nursing Roles, and Transcultural Nursing. Completion of the curriculum leads to the award of an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. The ADN program at Utah Tech University is approved by the Utah Board of Nursing and holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Utah Tech University additionally offers an RN to Bachelor of Science (BSN) program, which is also accredited by ACEN.

    Salt Lake Community College
    Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree program that qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses in Utah. The program can be completed on a traditional track or on an advanced standing track for those who are already licensed practical or vocational nurses. Students learn through a combination of academics and hands-on experience in the school’s advanced nursing arts lab as well as through clinical placements. The nursing faculty at SLCC are experienced experts who typically hold advanced degrees in their fields. SLCC’s nursing program holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is approved by the Utah Board of Nursing.

    Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

    University of Utah College of Nursing
    The University of Utah College of Nursing’s traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program spans four years with students completing general college coursework and prerequisites in the first two years of the program before entering the nursing major in the junior year. The nursing curriculum takes two years and includes both coursework and a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical experience. Practicums usually require nursing majors to work between 12 and 24 hours a week. Academically-eligible nursing majors may want to apply for the honors program. The nursing program is competitive with 64 applicants accepted each year.

    Roseman University – Utah
    Roseman University has expanded its accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program from its Nevada campus to South Jordan. Serving the Salt Lake Valley, the online ABSN curriculum is completed through a block system, with one course taken at a time. Flexible and varied online courses assist students in achieving professional competency. To demonstrate mastery students must achieve a minimum score of 90% in each course. Graduates will have completed over 70 credit hours, including simulation lab training in an academic setting, and 800 clinical rotation hours. Courses include Nursing Pharmacology, Adult Health Nursing, Maternal Newborn Nursing, and Nursing Leadership. The ABSN program is approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

    Master’s in Nursing Programs

    Weber State University
    Graduate students in Weber State University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program choose between one of two concentrations: nurse educator and nurse administrator. Both tracks require 40 credits including 15 credits of core courses and 21 credits of concentration-specific coursework to fulfill degree requirements. Core courses include research methods, research and statistics, advanced nursing practice, and evidence-based practice. In addition to coursework, students must complete a masters project and an internship. Due to the rigorous requirements of the program, students are advised to limit outside work to 24 hours a week. Students generally complete program requirements in four semesters full time.

    Utah Valley University
    Utah Valley University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed to prepare graduates for leadership roles and educator positions in the field. Coursework focuses on such topics as leadership development, nursing informatics, advanced nursing theory, and advanced nursing in health systems and policy. Graduate students must either complete a mandatory thesis or an MSN project supervised by a faculty member. Applicants to the program must already hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), must possess a current registered nurse’s license, and must provide three letters of recommendation. Successful candidates must provide evidence of the completion of an undergraduate statistics course.

    Student Reviews

    Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

    Salt Lake Community College
    4600 South Redwood Road
    Salt Lake City, UT 84123
    (801) 957-7522
    http://www.slcc.edu/

    Student Review: “I really enjoyed my nursing program. I think that my clinicals were excellent and that the coursework prepared me adequately to work in the field. I feel like it was a fairly rigorous program, the tests seemed constant and difficult, but I felt like it was worthwhile work. It has been a little while since I graduated now, and I have no regrets about attending this program. I always like the online options for classes, and I’m sure by now they have even more.” – Student at Salt Lake Community College
    stars-4

    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
    2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
    3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
    4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
    5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
    6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
    7. Utah Board of Nursing: https://dopl.utah.gov/nursing/