Top Nursing Schools & Programs in Utah

Hannah Pierce, BSN

Hannah Pierce, BSN

June 26, 2025

Utah’s nursing education landscape provides clear, accessible pathways for both new and seasoned healthcare professionals. Whether you’re starting as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or training for advanced practice as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s community colleges, universities, and health systems blend rigorous academics with hands‑on clinical training. Through immersive practicum placements at accredited healthcare facilities and flexible online coursework designed for diverse schedules, Utah’s nursing programs equip graduates with the expertise, credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to thrive across the state’s evolving care settings.

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2026 Top Nursing Programs in Utah

At TopNursing.org, we've carefully evaluated the nursing education landscape in Utah to bring you the most comprehensive rankings of top nursing programs in the state. Our expert team has analyzed key factors like academic quality, clinical training opportunities, faculty expertise, and student success rates to create these definitive rankings. Utah offers exceptional nursing education across several institutions, providing aspiring nurses with diverse pathways to launching successful healthcare careers. From urban campuses in Salt Lake City to comprehensive programs in smaller college towns, these ranked nursing schools demonstrate outstanding commitment to preparing the next generation of skilled nursing professionals. Our rankings offer crucial insights for students seeking high-quality nursing education in Utah. Learn more about our ranking methodology.
#1

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences

Draper, UT - Private 4-year - joyce.edu

Associate - Associate of Science in Nursing

Online Learning - Visit Website

The Associate of Science in Nursing at Joyce University offers a fast-track to a nursing career in just 20 months. This hybrid program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical experiences in Draper, Utah, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. No prerequisites are required, making it accessible for aspiring nurses. The curriculum covers essential nursing skills, with 472.5 clinical hours for real-world practice. Accredited by ACEN, this program is designed for those seeking a flexible yet rigorous path to becoming an RN.

  • 20-month program length.
  • Hybrid online and in-person learning.
  • No prerequisites required.
  • 472.5 clinical hours.
  • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
  • ACEN accredited.
  • Flexible online coursework.
  • Hands-on clinical experiences.
  • State-of-the-art simulation center.
  • 69 credit hours total.

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online Learning - Visit Website

Joyce University's 3-Year Online BSN Program offers a fast track to a nursing career with no prerequisites required. This hybrid program combines online coursework with in-person clinical training in Draper, Utah. Students benefit from a 94.31% NCLEX pass rate, hands-on simulations, and flexible learning options. The program is open to students in multiple states, making it accessible for aspiring nurses everywhere. Start your journey to becoming a registered nurse with Joyce University's accredited BSN program.

  • 3-year program length.
  • 94.31% NCLEX pass rate.
  • No prerequisites required.
  • Hybrid online and in-person.
  • 120 credit hours.
  • 517.5 clinical hours.
  • Flexible learning options.
  • Accredited by CCNE.
  • Hands-on simulations.
  • Open to multiple states.
Show 1 More Programs ˅
#2

Eagle Gate College-Murray

Murray, UT - Private 4-year - eaglegatecollege.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Eagle Gate College in Murray, UT, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program designed for aspiring nurses. This hybrid program combines online coursework with hands-on clinical experience, making it ideal for busy adults. The first year is entirely online, followed by on-campus and clinical site participation. Students benefit from small class sizes, experienced instructors, and career support. The program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam and a successful nursing career. Admission requires a high school diploma or GED, previous college transcripts, and passing the HESI entrance exam. Financial aid is available for eligible students.

  • Hybrid program format
  • First year online
  • Small class sizes
  • Experienced instructors
  • Career support services
  • Prepares for NCLEX-RN
  • High school diploma required
  • HESI entrance exam
  • Financial aid available
  • Hands-on clinical experience

Master's - Direct Entry MSN (MEPN)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Eagle Gate College in Murray, UT, offers a Direct Entry MSN (MEPN) program for those with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. This hybrid program blends online and in-person learning, preparing students for RN licensure in about 20 months. Highlights include free prerequisites for enrollees, clinicals starting in week one, and a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate. Financial aid options are available, and the curriculum covers evidence-based practices, patient-centered care, and healthcare technologies. The Murray campus provides hands-on learning and job placement assistance, located near top healthcare employers.

  • Hybrid program format
  • 20 months to completion
  • Free prerequisites for enrollees
  • Clinicals start week one
  • 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate
  • Financial aid available
  • Evidence-based practices
  • Patient-centered care
  • Healthcare technologies
  • Hands-on learning
Show 1 More Programs ˅
#3

Westminster University

Salt Lake City, UT - Private 4-year - westminstercollege.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Westminster University's Nursing program in Salt Lake City, UT, offers a comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in nursing. The program combines liberal arts education with hands-on clinical experiences, fostering critical thinking and ethical patient care. Small class sizes ensure personalized mentorship from faculty, who are experienced practitioners. Students gain practical skills in state-of-the-art simulation labs and diverse clinical settings. The program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ensuring high-quality education. Graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam and have high employment rates. The curriculum includes courses like Pathophysiology and Transitional Care Nursing, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application.

  • 4-year undergraduate degree
  • Small class sizes
  • State-of-the-art simulation labs
  • Diverse clinical experiences
  • Accredited by CCNE
  • High NCLEX pass rates
  • Faculty mentorship
  • Liberal arts foundation
  • Ethical patient care focus
  • Leadership skill development
#4

Eagle Gate College-Layton

Layton, UT - Private 4-year - eaglegatecollege.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Eagle Gate College in Layton, UT, offers a hybrid Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, blending online and in-person learning for flexibility. Ideal for busy adults, the first year is entirely online, followed by campus and clinical site attendance. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam with a focus on evidence-informed practice, patient care, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Accredited by CCNE, it features small class sizes, hands-on labs, and career support. Admissions require a high school diploma/GED, HESI entrance exam, and FAFSA completion.

  • Hybrid learning format.
  • First year online.
  • CCNE accredited.
  • Small class sizes.
  • Hands-on labs.
  • Career support services.
  • Prepares for NCLEX-RN.
  • Flexible for busy adults.
  • Evidence-informed practice focus.
  • Interdisciplinary teamwork training.
#5

Nightingale College

Salt Lake City, UT - Private 4-year - nightingale.edu

Bachelor's - BSN Program

Online Learning - Visit Website

Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) online with Nightingale College in just under three years. This flexible program combines online didactic instruction with hands-on field experiences across the U.S. Prepare for the NCLEX-RN with virtual simulations, at-home lab kits, and personalized coaching. The curriculum focuses on critical thinking, practical skills, and real-world application. Tuition is $645 per semester credit, with financial aid options available. Start dates are offered in spring, summer, and fall.

  • Online BSN program
  • Flexible 3-year completion
  • Hands-on field experiences nationwide
  • Virtual simulations and labs
  • NCLEX-RN success coaching
  • 120 credit hours required
  • $645 per semester credit
  • Financial aid available
  • Spring, summer, fall starts
  • Accredited by CCNE
*Analysis based on: NCES IPEDS 2023 survey data.

Utah LPN Program Overview

Utah’s LPN programs combine classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and foundational nursing techniques with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community health centers. Students gain hands‑on experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining Utah licensure, graduates step into roles that alleviate RN and physician workloads. By strengthening the practical nursing workforce across both Salt Lake City’s urban centers and the state’s rural communities, these programs help ensure reliable access to quality care statewide.

Utah CNA Program Overview

Utah’s CNA programs deliver six to twelve weeks of training in core care techniques, such as patient hygiene, infection control, and vital‑sign monitoring, alongside supervised practicums. Students practice assisting with daily living, observing conditions, and reporting findings to nursing teams. Following certification, CNAs integrate into multidisciplinary care settings, providing essential support in both clinical and home‑health environments. Their role strengthens Utah’s capacity to deliver compassionate, efficient care.

Utah RN to BSN Program Overview

Utah’s RN to BSN programs pair self-paced online coursework in nursing leadership, population and rural health, informatics, and healthcare policy with supervised clinical rotations across urban hospitals and rural clinics. Offered in flexible part-time and accelerated formats, they let RNs balance work shifts with their studies. Earning a BSN sharpens evidence-based practice and care-coordination skills, meets employer and accreditation standards for baccalaureate-prepared nurses, and unlocks specialty certifications and leadership roles. By advancing their credentials, Utah’s nursing workforce is better equipped to serve communities from metropolitan centers to remote mountain areas.

Utah Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program Overview

Utah’s Nurse Practitioner programs expand a BSN into advanced practice through two- to four-year MSN and DNP tracks that blend rigorous coursework and hands-on clinical rotations in family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, and psychiatric-mental health. Available on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats at institutions like the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, they prepare nurses for APRN certification and Utah licensure. Graduates serve as primary care providers, chronic care coordinators, and telehealth clinicians in Salt Lake City hospitals, rural mountain clinics, and underserved Wasatch Front communities. By boosting advanced-practice capacity statewide, these programs strengthen Utah’s healthcare system.

Traditional RN Degree Types

DegreeTypical LengthPrerequisitesOutcome / Notes
Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN)~2 yearsHigh school diploma or GEDCommon in rural areas, RN-to-BSN pathways widely used to meet BSN-in-10 requirement
RN Diploma2-3 yearsHigh school diploma or GEDNo longer offered in Utah
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)4 years (12-18 months accelerated)High school diploma or ADN transferBSN-in-10 state, BSN strongly preferred by major employers statewide
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)2 years (post-BSN)BSN + RN licensePrepares for advanced roles, NPs practice independently with full authority
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN)BSN or MSN + RN licenseHighest degree, DNP-prepared NPs also practice independently statewide

List of RN Programs in Utah

Jump to City:

Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 4-semester program
    • Full-time, face-to-face
    • Hands-on skills lab
    • Diverse clinical experiences
    • CCNE accredited
    • High NCLEX pass rate
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA required
    • Prerequisite courses needed

Draper, UT

Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences

  • Associate - Associate of Science in Nursing

    Online Learning - Website

    • 20-month program length.
    • Hybrid online and in-person learning.
    • No prerequisites required.
    • 472.5 clinical hours.
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
    • ACEN accredited.
    • Flexible online coursework.
    • Hands-on clinical experiences.
  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Online Learning - Website

    • 3-year program length.
    • 94.31% NCLEX pass rate.
    • No prerequisites required.
    • Hybrid online and in-person.
    • 120 credit hours.
    • 517.5 clinical hours.
    • Flexible learning options.
    • Accredited by CCNE.

Ephraim, UT

Snow College

  • Associate - Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)

    Campus Based - Website

    • Four semesters in length.
    • Campuses in Ephraim and Richfield.
    • Live instruction and video conferencing.
    • 24 students accepted each semester.
    • Competitive admission process.
    • Focus on critical thinking.
    • Blend of classroom, lab, clinical.
    • Applications accepted fall and spring.

Layton, UT

Eagle Gate College-Layton

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid learning format.
    • First year online.
    • CCNE accredited.
    • Small class sizes.
    • Hands-on labs.
    • Career support services.
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN.
    • Flexible for busy adults.

Logan, UT

Utah State University

  • Associate - Associate of Applied Science in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Two-year program
    • Campus-based learning
    • Prepares for RN licensure
    • Competitive admission
    • Requires Utah LPN license
    • B- minimum grade required
    • ACEN accredited
    • Utah State Board approved

Murray, UT

Arizona College of Nursing-Salt Lake City

  • Bachelor's - 3-Year BSN Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • No prerequisite coursework.
    • Evening general education classes.
    • Hands-on labs and clinical experience.
    • CCNE-accredited program.
    • Up to $5,000 scholarships available.
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
    • 3-year program duration.
    • Located in Murray, UT.

Eagle Gate College-Murray

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid program format
    • First year online
    • Small class sizes
    • Experienced instructors
    • Career support services
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN
    • High school diploma required
    • HESI entrance exam
  • Master's - Direct Entry MSN (MEPN)

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid program format
    • 20 months to completion
    • Free prerequisites for enrollees
    • Clinicals start week one
    • 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate
    • Financial aid available
    • Evidence-based practices
    • Patient-centered care

Ogden, UT

Weber State University

  • Associate - Associate of Science Degree Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Four-semester program
    • 38 total credit hours
    • Eligible for NCLEX-PN after first year
    • Eligible for NCLEX-RN upon graduation
    • Campus-based learning
    • Estimated materials cost $1,500
    • Additional fees apply
    • Conforms to Utah Nurse Practice Act
  • Bachelor's - Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online program format
    • 2 to 3 semesters completion
    • Prepares for graduate studies
    • Focus on critical thinking
    • Research-based patient care
    • Open to RNs with associate degrees
    • Flexible for working professionals
    • Additional costs for agency visits

Orem, UT

Utah Valley University

  • Associate - Associate in Science in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
    • Seamless BSN transition.
    • Campus-based learning.
    • Focus on evidence-based practice.
    • Rigorous, hands-on program.
    • Fall and spring admissions.
    • Support systems for success.
    • Diverse healthcare career paths.
  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online BSN completion program.
    • Accredited by ACEN.
    • Flexible full-time or part-time.
    • Requires RN license for admission.
    • Year-round application acceptance.
    • Focus on leadership and research.
    • Prepares for graduate nursing programs.
    • Online courses, no campus visits.

Provo, UT

Brigham Young University

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Accredited by CCNE.
    • Eligible for NCLEX-RN exam.
    • Campus-based program.
    • Focus on global health.
    • Hands-on healthcare experience.

Provo College

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science In Nursing (BSN) Program

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid learning format.
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
    • No waitlist for enrollment.
    • CCNE accredited program.
    • 90.70% NCLEX-RN pass rate.
    • Financial aid available.
    • Comprehensive clinical training.
    • Experienced faculty support.

Saint George, UT

Utah Tech University

  • Associate - Nursing, AAS

    Campus Based - Website

    • Two specialized nursing tracks
    • ACEN accredited since 2004
    • 64-68 total credit hours
    • NCLEX-RN exam preparation
    • Clinical and simulation experiences
    • Pathway to RN-BSN program
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA required
    • Unencumbered license prerequisite
  • Associate - Nursing, AAS

    Concentration: Paramedic to RN bridge - Campus Based - Website

    • Specialized Paramedic to RN path
    • ACEN accredited program
    • 64-68 total credit hours
    • Minimum 3.0 paramedic GPA
    • NCLEX-RN exam preparation
    • Unencumbered Paramedic Certification required
    • Clinical and simulation experiences
    • Pathway to RN-BSN program
  • Bachelor's - Pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Full-time program
    • Campus-based learning
    • Hands-on clinical experience
    • Four semesters of coursework
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
    • Small class sizes
    • State-of-the-art facilities
    • Emphasis on evidence-based practice

Salt Lake City, UT

Fortis College-Salt Lake City

  • Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid program format.
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
    • Financial aid available.
    • Career advancement opportunities.
    • Flexible learning options.

Nightingale College

  • Bachelor's - BSN Program

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online BSN program
    • Flexible 3-year completion
    • Hands-on field experiences nationwide
    • Virtual simulations and labs
    • NCLEX-RN success coaching
    • 120 credit hours required
    • $645 per semester credit
    • Financial aid available

Salt Lake Community College

  • Associate - Nursing AAS

    Campus Based - Website

    • Two-year AAS degree
    • Campus-based program
    • Prepares for employment
    • Hands-on training
    • Competitive admission costs
    • Located in Salt Lake City
    • Comprehensive coursework
    • Supportive learning environment

University of Utah

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • High NCLEX pass rate
    • State-of-the-art simulation centers
    • Interprofessional education
    • Accredited by CCNE
    • Diverse clinical experiences
    • Multiple tracks available
    • Focus on leadership
    • Evidence-based practice

Western Governors University

  • Bachelor's - Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid online and in-person program
    • $8,755 per six-month term
    • Available in 24 states
    • Two Learning Labs and seven clinical rotations
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
    • 4-year standard completion time
    • Requires 30 hours/week study commitment
    • Background check and immunization requirements

Westminster University

  • Bachelor's - Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 4-year undergraduate degree
    • Small class sizes
    • State-of-the-art simulation labs
    • Diverse clinical experiences
    • Accredited by CCNE
    • High NCLEX pass rates
    • Faculty mentorship
    • Liberal arts foundation
*Credit: NCES, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2023.