Best Private Colleges in Utah 2024

BEST IN UTAH PRIVATE COLLEGES
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

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

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  1. Brigham Young University
  2. Western Governors University
  3. Independence University
  4. Provo College
  5. Westminster College, Utah
  6. Broadview College
  1. Westminster College, Utah 76%
  2. Brigham Young University 59%
  1. Western Governors University 42 to 1
  2. Independence University 33 to 1
  3. Provo College 25 to 1
  4. Brigham Young University 21 to 1
  5. Broadview College 14 to 1
  6. Westminster College, Utah 9 to 1
  1. Westminster College, Utah $39,200
  2. Provo College $17,112
  3. Broadview College $15,435
  4. Western Governors University $7,452
  5. Brigham Young University $6,120
  1. Provo College $17,112
  2. Westminster College, Utah $16,507
  3. Brigham Young University $7,700
  4. Western Governors University $7,500
  1. Broadview College
  2. Westminster College, Utah
  3. Provo College
  4. Independence University
  5. Western Governors University
  6. Brigham Young University
  1. Brigham Young University 59%
  2. Westminster College, Utah 76%
  1. Westminster College, Utah 9 to 1
  2. Broadview College 14 to 1
  3. Brigham Young University 21 to 1
  4. Provo College 25 to 1
  5. Independence University 33 to 1
  6. Western Governors University 42 to 1
  1. Brigham Young University $6,120
  2. Western Governors University $7,452
  3. Broadview College $15,435
  4. Provo College $17,112
  5. Westminster College, Utah $39,200
  1. Western Governors University $7,500
  2. Brigham Young University $7,700
  3. Westminster College, Utah $16,507
  4. Provo College $17,112

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.

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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?

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.

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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.

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Best Private Colleges in Utah

  4. #4

    Broadview College

    West Jordan , UT
    #2 Best Small Colleges in Utah 2024 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Utah 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Graduation

    32%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Broadview College

    Cost of Degree: $16,498
    Starting Salary: $34,204
    What is Broadview College known for?
    Compare school
  5. #5

    Westminster College, Utah

    Salt Lake City , UT
    #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 2024 #7 Best Online Master's Programs in Utah 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1175/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Westminster College, Utah

    Cost of Degree: $38,680
    Expenses: $15,575
    Starting Salary: $56,973
    Salary after 4 years: $64,492
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Westminster College, Utah known for?

    Westminster College, Utah’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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  7. #6

    Provo College

    Provo , UT
    #4 Best Small Colleges in Utah 2024 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Utah 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Provo College

    Cost of Degree: $17,112
    Starting Salary: $41,242
    What is Provo College known for?

    Provo College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

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Utah’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest

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2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

  1. Brigham Young University
  2. Westminster College, Utah
  3. Western Governors University

Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.

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