Utah's network of higher education consists of 10 public colleges and universities governed by the Utah State Board of Regents, 4 private colleges or universities and several other accredited institutions. The state system includes two major research/teaching universities, two metropolitan/region universities, two state colleges, three community colleges, and a college of applied technology. According to the College Board, Utah's average college tuition costs are roughly 10 percent lower than the national average.

The University of Utah is recognized world-wide as a leader in computational science and molecular and cellular biology. Gene mapping and gene knockout/replacement were both developed here. In 2001, Utah geneticist Mario Cappecchi was a co-recipient of the Lasker Award, America’s highest award for biomedical research. The U was recently ranked 18th best in the country at starting technology companies based on its research.  (Association of University Technology Managers p.48)

Noted U of U alums include Nolan Bushnell, Ed Catmull, Jim Clark, Henri Gouraud, Alan Kay, Shane Robison and John Warnock.

Brigham Young University, the largest, privately-owned, church-sponsored university in the U.S., is ranked #18 for “Great Schools Great Price,”(by US News and World Report) and for it’s Jay Rueben Clark Law school and the Marriot School of Business. BYU also has a nationally ranked Fine Arts Illustration Program with rock-star illustrator/teachers like James C. Christensen, a painter. A few notable alums include co-founder of WordPerfect, Alan Ashton and author Seven Covey, who wrote Steven Habits for Highly Effective People.

Major Utah universities, colleges and accredited institutions:

Utah System of Higher Education

Private Colleges and Universites

Other Accredited Institutions

• Columbia College
• Neumont University
• Stevens-Henager College
• Webster University
• University of Phoenix
• Eagle Gate College
• Provo College
• Utah Career College