Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and program formats to find the right BSN program for you.
Prospective BSN students in Salt Lake City weigh a familiar tradeoff: minimizing upfront tuition against selecting a program with strong licensure pass rates and long-term earning potential. Intermountain Health and University of Utah Health anchor a growing healthcare sector that drives steady demand for new graduate nurses.
Comparing tuition, NCLEX performance, and format flexibility quickly narrows the field. Traditional, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN programs in Utah each carry distinct time and cost implications. With limited seats in Utah BSN programs, understanding these variables early prevents costly missteps.
Our rankings weigh cost, academic outcomes, and flexibility to help you find the best BSN program in the Salt Lake City area. While program-specific metrics like NCLEX pass rates and job placement inform our view, the primary ordering uses federal data on net price, graduation rates, and median earnings to highlight return on investment.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT | $9,000 – $28,000/yr | Future nursing leaders seeking academic health center | |
The University of Utah offers a top-ranked BSN program rooted in the state's flagship academic medical center, with immediate access to University Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute. Its multiple tracks include an accelerated option for high achievers and an online RN-to-BSN for working professionals. The program emphasizes interprofessional education and boasts strong graduate outcomes, with institutional median earnings around $67,170 and a net price near $16,200 after aid.
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| #2 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | ~$9,000/yr (est.) | Working adults needing flexible, flat-rate tuition | |
Western Governors University, headquartered in Salt Lake City, delivers a competency-based prelicensure BSN with online coursework and in-person learning labs and clinical rotations in the metro area. Its flat-rate tuition model helps students accelerate through familiar material, making it a cost-effective choice for career changers. Graduates report median earnings of $60,615, and the effective net price is about $12,548 after aid.
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| #3 | Westminster University | Salt Lake City, UT | ~$27,000/yr (est.) | Students wanting accelerated BSN in urban setting | |
Westminster University's nursing program is located in central Salt Lake City, providing a small, private-college experience with ready access to major hospitals. The three-year accelerated BSN integrates a liberal arts foundation with intensive nursing coursework, delivered over four semesters. State-of-the-art simulation labs and diverse clinical placements prepare graduates for strong earnings, with a median of $66,215 and an effective net price around $27,094.
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| #4 | Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences | Draper, UT | $12,000/yr | ||
Joyce University, located in Draper within the Salt Lake City metro, offers multiple pathways to RN licensure, including an ASN, BSN, and a direct-entry MSN for career changers. The hybrid-online programs feature hands-on simulation training and clinical placements throughout Salt Lake County. Graduates earn a median of $49,841, and the effective net price is around $28,039.
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| #5 | Fortis College-Salt Lake City | Salt Lake City, UT | |||
Fortis College's Salt Lake City campus offers a hybrid ADN program that can be completed in under two years, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN through a blend of online learning and immersive simulation labs. Graduates find entry-level RN roles with median earnings around $34,509, and the net price after aid is approximately $27,586.
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| #6 | Arizona College of Nursing-Salt Lake City | Murray, UT | |||
Arizona College of Nursing's Salt Lake City campus delivers a three-year, CCNE-accredited BSN with no prerequisite coursework required, making it a direct-entry option for aspiring nurses. Small class sizes, simulation labs, and local clinical rotations underpin a program that boasts a 99% job placement rate and median graduate earnings of $34,657. The effective net price is around $37,660.
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| #7 | Eagle Gate College-Murray | Murray, UT | $17,000/yr | ||
Eagle Gate College's Murray campus provides a hybrid BSN with the first year fully online, followed by on-campus simulation and clinical rotations throughout Utah. The program reports a 95% NCLEX pass rate and a 98% job placement rate. Additionally, a direct-entry MSN (MEPN) pathway is available for those with a non-nursing bachelor's, offering an accelerated 20-month route to RN licensure.
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| #8 | Eagle Gate College-Layton | Layton, UT | |||
Eagle Gate College's Layton campus, north of Salt Lake City, offers a hybrid BSN with the same strong placement and NCLEX outcomes as its Murray counterpart, featuring a 96% job placement rate. The program's structure allows working adults to complete the first year online before transitioning to on-campus labs and clinicals near Davis County hospitals.
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| #9 | Nightingale College | Salt Lake City, UT | |||
Nightingale College offers a fully online BSN with virtual reality simulations, at-home lab kits, and in-person field experiences available in over 20 states, including Utah. The concept-based curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and can be completed in 32 months. While the institution-wide graduation rate is low (21%), the program's flexible structure appeals to self-directed learners. The net price after aid is around $30,852, with median graduate earnings of $27,126.
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The table below compares annual tuition and net price for BSN programs in the Salt Lake City area, sorted from most affordable to least. Net price reflects the average out-of-pocket cost after grants and scholarships for all students at the institution; your actual cost will vary based on financial circumstances and aid eligibility.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah Valley University (Orem, UT) | $6,507 | $18,489 | $6,376 |
| Weber State University (Ogden, UT) | $6,557 | $17,545 | $10,258 |
| Southern Utah University (Cedar City, UT) | $6,962 | $21,192 | $10,462 |
| Western Governors University (Salt Lake City, UT) | $8,658 | $8,658 | $12,548 |
| Brigham Young University (Provo, UT) | $6,688 | $6,688 | $15,564 |
| Utah Tech University (Saint George, UT) | $6,306 | $18,246 | $16,039 |
| University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT) | $9,620 | $30,860 | $16,200 |
A program’s NCLEX pass rate is the single best public indicator of how well it prepares graduates for licensure. Consistently high rates signal strong curriculum, clinical placements, and faculty support. Here’s how to find and interpret the most current numbers for every BSN option in the Salt Lake City area.
The Utah Board of Nursing publishes an annual NCLEX report on its website. This document breaks out first-time pass rates for every state-approved prelicensure program, including BSN tracks at the University of Utah, Westminster University, and Western Governors University. Look for the most recent "NCLEX Program Pass Rates" PDF under the Education section. The report includes statewide averages and multi-year trends, giving you a reliable baseline for comparison.
Each school typically posts its own NCLEX data on the program outcomes or accreditation page. For example, the University of Utah College of Nursing regularly updates its BSN first-time pass rate alongside board certification exam results. Westminster University’s School of Nursing includes this metric in its program outcomes dashboard, and WGU’s Leavitt School of Health displays pass rates in its annual report. If numbers are not immediately visible, search the site for "NCLEX" or "outcomes", or navigate to the nursing department’s "About" tab.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) releases national NCLEX statistics each quarter and annually. Visiting ncsbn.org helps you see how a local program stacks up against the national average for BSN graduates (typically in the mid-80% range for first-time test-takers). A program that consistently outperforms the national average by 10 or more percentage points often reflects rigorous preparation and strong student support.
If a school’s website hasn’t been updated with the latest exam cycle results or the state board’s report is a year behind, contact the nursing department directly. Admissions staff or program coordinators can often share recent pass rate data or direct you to the source. Asking about NCLEX performance also demonstrates your seriousness as an applicant.
Salt Lake City offers a range of BSN pathways, but the right choice depends on your educational background and career timeline. Below is a side-by-side look at the three primary formats available in the area.
| Traditional BSN | Accelerated BSN | RN-to-BSN |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years (may be year-round at some schools) | 12-18 months | 1-2 years |
| High school diploma or GED; some programs require prerequisite college courses | Bachelor's degree in any non-nursing field plus specific science and general education prerequisites | Active, unencumbered RN license and an associate degree or diploma in nursing |
| First-time college students or career switchers new to nursing | Career changers with a prior bachelor's who want to enter nursing quickly | Working RNs seeking BSN advancement for career growth or graduate study |
| University of Utah (Prelicensure Track, campus); Westminster University (Year-round BSN, campus); Western Governors University (Prelicensure hybrid program) | Not currently offered by University of Utah, Westminster University, or Western Governors University | University of Utah (online); Western Governors University (online) |
| Primarily campus-based with in-person labs and clinicals; Western Governors University offers a hybrid prelicensure option | Not applicable for these schools | Online or hybrid; both University of Utah and WGU programs are fully online |
The median annual wage for registered nurses in the Salt Lake City metro was $80,060 in 2023, exceeding the Utah statewide median of $79,790 but falling below the national median of $93,600. BSN graduates often land at the upper end of entry-level pay scales compared to ADN-prepared nurses. The salary range spans from $66,610 at the 10th percentile to $104,830 at the 90th percentile, with most nurses earning between $70,970 and $98,280.
Selecting a BSN program in Salt Lake City involves balancing tuition, duration, and outcomes. The answers below address common questions to guide your decision.
Demand for BSN-educated nurses in Utah continues to climb, and Salt Lake City programs are delivering strong outcomes. The ranked list spotlights schools such as the University of Utah, where NCLEX pass rates consistently exceed 90% and recent graduates earn wages above the metro median. Net price varies sharply, from around $12,000 at public universities to over $40,000 at private institutions, as the comparison table details.
Before applying, compare each program’s net price, delivery format, and clinical placement network. Revisit the ranked list and cost table to identify two or three schools where affordability and graduation outcomes align with your goals.
