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.
The Salt Lake City area offers a mix of public, private, and hybrid nursing programs that prepare students for RN licensure and career advancement. Our ranking weighs affordability, graduation rates, and long-term earnings to help you find the right BSN pathway.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | Faith-integrated nursing with global experiences | |
Brigham Young University's CCNE-accredited BSN combines rigorous academics with international practicum opportunities. Located in Provo, students complete clinical rotations along the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City hospitals. The program reports strong graduate earnings and low median debt for its graduates.
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| #2 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT | $10,000 – $31,000/yr | In-state learners near a teaching hospital | |
The University of Utah's College of Nursing sits within the state's flagship academic medical center in Salt Lake City, giving undergraduates direct access to University Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute. The CCNE-accredited BSN offers multiple tracks, including an accelerated option, and is known for high NCLEX pass rates and state-of-the-art simulation centers.
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| #3 | Westminster University | Salt Lake City, UT | ~$27,000/yr (est.) | SLC-based small private college nursing | |
Westminster University offers a small, private liberal-arts nursing program in central Salt Lake City. The CCNE-accredited BSN emphasizes ethical patient care, small class sizes, and faculty mentorship. Clinical rotations in nearby major hospitals and high NCLEX pass rates make it a strong local choice.
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| #4 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
Western Governors University, headquartered in Salt Lake City, offers a hybrid Prelicensure BSN that blends online coursework with in-person learning labs and clinical rotations in the metro area. The flat-rate tuition model and flexible scheduling appeal to working adults and career changers.
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| #5 | Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences | Draper, UT | $28,000/yr (net price) | ||
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences, located in Draper (Salt Lake City metro), provides multiple prelicensure pathways including a 20-month ASN, a three-year BSN, and a Direct Entry MSN for career changers. Programs feature hybrid delivery, no prerequisites, and strong NCLEX outcomes.
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| #6 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Weber State University, in Ogden, feeds nurses into the Wasatch Front health systems including Salt Lake City. It offers both a campus-based ASN and an online RN-to-BSN completion program, with competitive tuition and a strong reputation among Utah employers.
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| #7 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Utah Valley University in Orem offers an affordable pathway for Salt Lake City-area commuters, with a campus ASN and a fully online RN-to-BSN completion program. The ACEN-accredited nursing programs emphasize evidence-based practice and seamless transition to the BSN.
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| #8 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City, UT | $7,000 – $21,000/yr | ||
Southern Utah University's prelicensure BSN in Cedar City is a four-semester, full-time program with CCNE accreditation and strong NCLEX pass rates. While primarily serving southern Utah, its clinical placements across the state can include diverse settings.
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| #9 | Utah State University | Logan, UT | $9,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Utah State University's Logan campus houses an ACEN-accredited AASN program that prepares students for RN licensure with hands-on clinicals. Though not in Salt Lake City, its graduates often work in the region's hospitals after finishing the two-year program.
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| #10 | Snow College | Ephraim, UT | $6,000/yr | ||
Snow College's four-semester ASN program in Ephraim and Richfield delivers a cost-effective foundation for nursing, with small cohorts and competitive admission. Graduates often transfer into BSN completion programs, ultimately feeding the Salt Lake City workforce.
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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.
