Best Private Colleges in Utah 2024
Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Utah.
Best Private Colleges in Utah
- Brigham Young University
- Western Governors University
- Independence University
- Broadview College
- Westminster University
- Provo College
- Brigham Young University
- Western Governors University
- Independence University
- Provo College
- Westminster University
- Broadview College
- Western Governors University 42 to 1
- Provo College 34 to 1
- Brigham Young University 21 to 1
- Westminster University 8 to 1
- Westminster University $40,352
- Provo College $17,112
- Broadview College $16,140
- Western Governors University $8,010
- Brigham Young University $6,304
- Westminster University $16,275
- Brigham Young University $7,932
- Western Governors University $7,765
- Provo College
- Westminster University
- Broadview College
- Independence University
- Western Governors University
- Brigham Young University
- Broadview College
- Westminster University
- Provo College
- Independence University
- Western Governors University
- Brigham Young University
- Westminster University 8 to 1
- Brigham Young University 21 to 1
- Provo College 34 to 1
- Western Governors University 42 to 1
- Brigham Young University $6,304
- Western Governors University $8,010
- Broadview College $16,140
- Provo College $17,112
- Westminster University $40,352
- Western Governors University $7,765
- Brigham Young University $7,932
- Westminster University $16,275
Colleges and Universities in Utah
Students hoping to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in Utah can choose from among 18 different colleges and universities. Ten of these schools are private, including a fully online school - Western Governors University - which serves almost 80,000 students. Brigham Young University in Provo, one of Utah’s two religiously affiliated schools, has some of the state’s top programs in religious studies, history, and business.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
While tuition at private schools can be costly, fees at these two schools fall below the national average, ranging between $6,000 and $7,000. Utah’s public universities are also on the cost-friendly side. Utah Valley University, the state’s largest public school, serves over 28,000 students and has a sticker price of about $6,000. The University of Utah, another affordable option, is close behind, with a student population of just under 28,000 students. Here, students can earn degrees in fields such as computer science, chemistry, engineering, and anthropology.
If you’re someone who lives life to the extreme, Utah may be just the place for you. Careening down the hills at its world-class ski resorts, braving the rapids on white-water rafting trips, hiking through national parks, and speeding across mountain bike trails are just some of the ways visitors and residents of The Beehive State can get their thrills. Another selling point for Utah? Average tuition for this state’s colleges and universities falls thousands of dollars below the national average.
Learn more about Utah’s higher education opportunities by checking out the state’s many affordable colleges and universities.
What are Utah’s Colleges & Universities?
- 3 Research Universities
- 10 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 2 Graduate Schools
- 7 Public Colleges & Universities
- 6 Private Colleges & Universities
- 1 Christian College or University
- 4 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 12 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 2 Community Colleges
- Best Online Colleges
Utah’s Best Overall
What is the difference between public and private colleges?
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.
This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 6 private universities in Utah. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Utah, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.
Best Private Colleges in Utah
- #6 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2024 #15 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2025 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Utah 2025 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Other Rankings
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Utah 2024
- #2 Best Colleges in Utah 2024
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Utah 2025
- #2 Best Research Universities in Utah 2024
- #22 Best Research Universities for Education Degrees
- #8 Best Online Master's Programs in Utah 2024
- #7 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
67%
Graduation
79%
Student body
39K
Median SAT/ACT
1374/29
Career Outlook for degree at Brigham Young University
Cost of Degree: $6,304Expenses: $14,816Starting Salary: $71,500Cost Recoup Time: 7 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Brigham Young University known for?
Brigham Young University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Business
- History
- Religious Studies
- Law
- Communications
- Literature
- Education
- Earth Sciences
- Political Science
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
- #7 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2025 #9 15 Best Self-paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Utah 2025 #7 Best Colleges in Utah 2024
Other Rankings
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Utah 2025
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Utah
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Wyoming
- #4 Best Online MBA Programs in Utah
- #6 Best Online Master's Programs in Utah 2024
- #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs
- #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration
- #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Information Technology
- #8 Best Online Colleges in Utah 2024
- #18 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
49%
Student body
214K
Career Outlook for degree at Western Governors University
Cost of Degree: $8,010Starting Salary: $48,100What is Western Governors University known for?
Western Governors University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
What is Independence University known for?
Independence University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Broadview College
Cost of Degree: $16,140Starting Salary: $30,700What is Broadview College known for?
- #3 Best Small Colleges in Utah 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Utah 2025 #7 Best Online Master's Programs in Utah 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
65%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1269/26
Career Outlook for degree at Westminster College, Utah
Cost of Degree: $39,832Expenses: $15,999Starting Salary: $58,100Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Westminster College, Utah known for?
Westminster College, Utah’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #4 Best Small Colleges in Utah 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Utah 2025 #10 Best Colleges in Utah 2024
Tuition + fees
$17K
Graduation
51%
Student body
<1K
Utah’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.