Overview of Nursing Schools in Utah
- There are 17 nursing schools in Utah. The CCNE accredits 8 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 12 schools in Utah.
- On average, attending an RN program in Utah will cost you between $6,799.00 and $32,165.00 per year.
- In Utah, the average undergraduate student borrows between $4,725.00 and $14,000.00 per year.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average, the NCLEX passing rate range for Utah ADN students is between 54.47% and 186.10%.
- On average, the NCLEX passing rate range for Utah BSN students is between 71.11% and 98.67%.
- The average annual salary for a registered nurse in Utah is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in Utah can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
Nursing Programs Recommended by Our Education Experts
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
About Nursing Schools in Utah
Utah has had a nursing shortage for several years and has been working hard to fill the voids. Nursing schools have responded to the call by creating nursing programs with flexibility to meet the needs of busy, working adults. There are currently just over 19,000 nurses licensed in the state of Utah and the numbers are continuing to grow. With all the options that are available, it is recommended that nurses seek out information from multiple schools. This will ensure that nurses are able to make a well-informed decision. Nursing is a very noble profession and now is a better time than ever to join this constantly evolving industry.
In our Utah RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Utah RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.
In the State of Utah, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.
BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Utah RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN
Utah RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN| Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Nursing Programs | 11 | 11 |
| Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 92.40% | 86.33% |
| NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 54.47% to 186.10% | 71.11% to 98.67% |
| Average Net Price | $15,238.00 | $15,556.00 |
| Average Net Price Range | $6,799.00 to $32,165.00 | $9,122.00 to $32,165.00 |
| Average Student Loan | $10,113.10 | $11,545.70 |
| Average Student Loan Range | $3,500.00 to $15,275.00 | $8,075.00 to $17,936.00 |
| See Additional Detail | ADN Rankings for Utah State | BSN Rankings for Utah State |
Best Ranked RN Programs in Utah
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Utah and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 7 ADN degree programs and 7 BSN degree programs in Utah. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Utah to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.
Western Governors University
- 4001 East 700 South, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT - 84107
- (801) 274-3280
- Grade: (A) 98.77%
- Programs: CNL, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, MSN, RN to MSN
Western Governors University is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. They offer many options for nursing students, from the bachelor's level to master's level. They offer a prelicensure BSN program and an RN to BSN program. WGU is a non-traditional university and their education is based on competencies, which means that their approach allows the students to learn things they do not already know, taking into consideration past education and work experience.
Brigham Young University-Provo
- Main Campus, Provo, UT - 84602
- (801) 422-4636
- Grade: (A) 97.17%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor, MSN
Brigham Young University is located in Provo, Utah. BYU offers a BSN program. They have a clinical simulation laboratory where they can practice nursing skills prior to working with actual patients. As part of their global health course, students have the opportunity to travel to distant areas, such as Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, and Ghana.
Southern Utah University
- 351 West University Blvd, Cedar City, UT - 84720
- (435) 586-7700
- Grade: (A) 94.22%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
Southern Utah University is located in Cedar City, Utah. They offer a prelicensure BSN program and an RN to BSN program. The RN to BSN program accepts 35 students per year. Students attend class on day per week, with clinical experiences offered in Cedar City and throughout Southern Utah.
Utah Valley University
- 800 W University Parkway, Orem, UT - 84058-5999
- (801) 863-8000
- Grade: (A) 92.69%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor
Utah Valley University is located in Orem, University. They have several nursing options; they offer an ASN degree, a BSN degree and a BSN degree. They also offer several "bridge" options for students, such as the RN to BSN program and an ASN with BSN completion option, allowing for the student to earn first their ASN degree then their BSN degree.
University of Utah
- 201 Presidents Circle, ROOM 203, Salt Lake City, UT - 84112-9008
- (801) 581-7200
- Grade: (A) 91.45%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric - Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, BSN to PhD, MSN, MSN to DNP
University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. They offer a BSN program, an RN to BSN program, and multiple post-graduate options, from a variety of MSN options to a DNP. The College of Nursing is also home to the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program, which offers degrees and certificates in gerontology.
|
Grade
|
University
|
Utah Rank
|
Degree
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 86.74 | Salt Lake Community College | 4 | ADN |
| 86.51 | Weber State University | 5 | ADN |
| 84.30 | Utah State University | 6 | ADN |
| 69.11 | Snow College | 8 | ADN |
| 53.19 | Nightingale College | 9 | ADN |
| 89.21 | Dixie State University | 6 | BSN |
| 74.27 | Provo College | 7 | BSN |
Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Utah
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Utah
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Utah offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
MSN Programs Recommended by Our Education Experts
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Utah RN Licensing Requirements
Utah State Board of Nursing
Heber M. Wells Building
160 East 300 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 530-6701
RN Licensure by Exams
Candidates are encouraged to apply to the board during the final semester of nursing school. This will allow for licensure to be gained as soon as the candidate is eligible. There is a $60 fee for the application and two $20 fees for background checks. The background check must be completed through both the Bureau of Criminal Identification and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Candidates will need to register for the NCLEX ahead of time and pay the $200 testing fee. Official transcripts will be sent to DOPL immediately after graduation. At this point, as long as all requirements have been met, the candidate will be issued authorization to test (ATT) and will be able to schedule the exam. In the case that a candidate is unsuccessful, the candidate may submit a notice of intent to retake in order to verify eligibility.
RN License by Endorsement
A registered nurse who obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states will be able to gain licensure in Utah by endorsement. The candidate will be required to submit verification of licensure. If the candidate is declaring Utah as their primary residence, they must submit a Utah address to the board within 30 days of arriving in the state.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
Registered nurses who obtained licensure outside of the United States will be required to pass the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) qualifying exam and submit a credential evaluation before taking the NCLEX exam.
RN Salaries in Utah
Salaries in the state of Utah are dependent on the experience and education level of the individual registered nurse. However, the median salary in Utah is just under $59,000 annually. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree opens up many opportunities to nurses that would not have been previously available. Some positions include home health care and community agencies. There are also job opportunities outside of direct care, which include case management, among other exciting careers. Advanced training can even open up roles such as hospice care managers.
Utah Registered Nursing Salaries
The Salt Lake City metropolitan area has the highest number or registered nurses employed than any other area statewide. In addition, it also has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.
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