Best Online Colleges in Utah

Overview

The University of Utah (UU) has hundreds of online classes. Each uses the same faculty and 16-week calendar as campus classes. Exams are proctored in the UOnline Center inside the library. UU has set up testing sites in Sandy, Bountiful, and St. George. Arrange for other test locations through UOnline.

Once admitted, there are no special procedures to enroll in online courses. Each will be labeled ONLN in the schedule. UU uses the Canvas learning management system.

Program Features

A general education degree focuses on Global Citizenship. Graduate programs include Electrical and Computer Engineering, Teaching-Fine Arts, Occupational Therapy, MBA, and an MS in Information Systems. The Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program offers an online Gerontology certificate (undergraduate/graduate), an MS in Gerontology, and a minor in Gerontology.

Undergraduate online degrees at UU:

Notables

The Student Resources page includes class registration and advising. Arrange exams and tutoring. Locate tech support, the Writing Center, and the library. Counseling and career coaching are also accessible.

Overview

This private college in Salt Lake City lets students create customized degrees. One-on-one mentoring helps students succeed. Class sizes average 16, and the student-faculty ratio is 9:1. Westminster receives accolades from Princeton Review, U.S. News, Victory Media, College of Distinction, and the Presidential Honor Roll.

Program Features

Application details for undergraduates and graduates can be found here. Undergraduates need a personal statement, transcript, and test scores. Graduates require a personal statement, two recommendations, resume, transcripts, and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

Online degree programs at Westminster College:

Notables

The Tuition and Aid page lists scholarships for Nursing, Business Administration, and Masters-level Communications. A Resources and Services page links to advising, the career center, and library. The Consumer Information guide provides retention and graduation rates, state authorizations, and career services.

Overview

Established in 1897, Southern Utah University (SUU) has over 9,000 students. SUU earns the Carnegie classification Masters University: Larger Program with over 200 Masters degrees. IPEDS says 48 percent of undergraduates and 82 percent of graduates use online education. Seven percent of undergraduates and 45 percent of graduates pursue their entire degree online.

Program Features

SUU lists 532 Associates programs, 895 Bachelors degrees, 278 Masters offerings, and 31 Certificates. Online classes also fulfill General Education requirements.

A sample of online undergraduate degrees from Southern Utah University:

Notables

An e-portfolio class translates real-world experience into 1 to 15 credits toward a Bachelors degree. The default rate for student loans in 2013 was 5.5 percent. The nation averages 11.3 percent in default.

Overview

This former agricultural college was founded in 1888. Today, Utah State University (USU) welcomes 28,000 students. More than two-thirds come from Utah.

Forbes ranks USU the number two public university in the West for lowest tuition. The default rate on loans, 5.6 percent, is half the national average. This year, 46 percent of undergraduates and 50 percent of graduate students take an online course.

Program Features

U.S. News ranks USU 14th in Best Online Bachelors Programs and 66th in Best Online Graduate Education Programs. There are 16 online graduate degrees in Education, Dietetics, Human Resources, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Technical Communication.

Undergraduate programs/degrees at Utah State University:

Notables

USU lists a Chemistry Endorsement, a Deafblind Intervener Training Certificate, and the Blindness Studies Certificate. Other programs include General Studies, Liberal Arts, and a Women and Gender Studies Certificate. Besides the main campus in Logan, two other campuses go by USU Eastern. Classes also take place in 26 other locations around the state.

Overview

Most Weber State (WSU) students are undergraduates. Of the 26,800 enrolled, only 697 are graduate students. Eighty-eight percent are in-state residents.

For distance education, 10 percent of undergraduates and 12 percent of graduate students take 100 percent of their classes online. Another 24 percent of undergraduates and 6 percent of graduates take some online courses.

Program Features

GetEducated.com gives WSU its Best Buy Online Bachelors in Healthcare designation. AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org lists Weber one of Utahs Best Online Schools in 2017. Check the schools interactive map to verify your states approval of WSUs online programs.

Online programs at Weber State University:

Notables

Weber State also awards a Bachelor of Integrated Studies. It requires three areas of studies and a capstone project. Of the areas of study online, those with hyperlinks are Child and Family Studies, Computer Science, and Health Sciences.

Overview

Western Governors University (WGU) operates 100-percent online. Its massive student enrollment tops 84,000. Of those, 93 percent are aged 25 or older. Because less than 7 percent enter as full-time, first-time freshmen, the IPEDS graduation rate of 26 percent is artificially low.

Continuing with figures for 7 percent of the student population, the retention rate from Fall 2015 to Fall 2016 is 74 percent. Twenty-eight percent will transfer out to other schools. Retention of military students is 96 percent.

Program Features

Forbes published an article on WGU called, The Best-Kept Secret in Online Colleges. The author tells us the schools official mascot is the Night Owl. A 2016 Gallup-Purdue Index poll indicates 81 percent of graduates find jobs soon after commencement.

WGU offers 10,265 Bachelors, 5,925 Masters, and 254 Post-Graduate programs. Here are just a smidgen of the Bachelors degrees:

Notables

The loan default rate is just 4.8 percent, well below the national average. Students finish bachelors degrees in three years or less. There are partner schools in Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington.

Overview

In Fall 2016, 35,000 students enrolled at Utah Valley University (UVU). All but 272 are undergraduates. Seventy-nine percent are Utah residents.

Retention rates are 63 percent of full-time and 46 percent of part-time undergraduates. Online classes are taken by 30 percent of undergraduates and 2 percent of graduates.

Program Features

Utah Valley offers vocational training and ESL test prep. Professional development includes continuing education for teachers and IT certifications.

Online degrees from UVU:

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Classes are accessible 24/7 through the campus portal, myUVU. Online classes follow the school semester and adhere to traditional deadlines. The university operates a testing facility on campus.

Overview

IPEDS classifies the University of Phoenix-Utah as a 4-year, private, for-profit university. In Fall 2016, 531 students enrolled. Ninety-three percent of undergraduates are 25 and older.

All students are in-state residents, yet 39 percent of undergraduates take 100-percent of classes online. Another 19 percent combine on-campus and online coursework. Only 4 percent of graduate students take online classes.

Program Features

Classes last 5 weeks for undergraduates and 6 weeks for graduates. Most degrees have an online option. The Salt Lake City campus provides test proctoring.

Three of the undergraduate programs offered online by the University of Phoenix-Utah:

Notables

Although the default rate of 13.3 percent is higher than the national average, it has come down significantly since 2011. Technology in the Classroom links to the online library, career services, phone apps, and social networking. We recommend reading the Student Right to Know Guide listing success rates.