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.
Salt Lake City offers a mix of large research universities, private colleges, and flexible hybrid programs for nursing students. The following ranking helps you compare BSN paths across the Wasatch Front, with each school's program strengths and completion options summarized. Use the school cards to see which fit your pace, budget, and clinical needs.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT | $10,000 – $31,000/yr (est.) | Prelicensure students pursuing hospital-based clinicals | |
The University of Utah's College of Nursing sits on the Health Sciences campus in Salt Lake City, adjacent to University Hospital and Huntsman Cancer Institute. Its BSN offers several entry paths including direct entry for high school seniors, a prelicensure track, and an online RN to BS option. Program data show recent BSN graduates report median earnings around $69,565 one year after completing the program. This is a strong choice for students who want hospital-based training in a research-intensive environment. CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #2 | Westminster University | Salt Lake City, UT | ~$27,000/yr (est.) | Urban learners wanting small private college attention | |
Westminster University's nursing program is located in central Salt Lake City, giving students access to nearby Intermountain Health, University of Utah Health, Primary Children's, and VA facilities. The three-year BSN combines liberal arts coursework with four semesters of nursing study and simulation. Recent program-level data show median earnings around $66,132 one year after graduation. Students looking for small private college mentorship in an urban setting may find this program fits. CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #3 | Western Governors University | Salt Lake City, UT | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | Self-paced online learners balancing work | |
Western Governors University is headquartered in Salt Lake City and offers a prelicensure BSN that combines online coursework with in-person learning labs and clinical rotations in the region. The competency-based format lets students move through material they already know more quickly. Program-level earnings for recent prelicensure BSN graduates are around $85,861 one year out, one of the stronger ROI signals in this group. Flat-rate tuition per term supports self-paced progress. CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #4 | Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences | Draper, UT | $28,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Joyce University, located in Draper in the Salt Lake metropolitan area, offers both an associate degree in nursing and a BSN. The hybrid online format pairs online lectures with in-person simulation labs and area clinicals. Program data show median earnings around $74,693 for recent BSN graduates and $63,117 for associate degree graduates one year out. Students can move from no prerequisites directly into nursing coursework. ACEN accredited
CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #5 | Arizona College of Nursing-Salt Lake City | Murray, UT | ~$38,000/yr (est.) | ||
Arizona College of Nursing's Salt Lake City campus in Murray provides a three-year BSN path with no prerequisite courses required. The program blends campus-based simulation labs with clinical rotations at partner healthcare facilities in the metro. One-year program-level median earnings for graduates are around $85,169, though student debt tends to be higher for this program.
| |||||
| #6 | Brigham Young University | Provo, UT | $15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) | ||
Brigham Young University in Provo trains BSN students through a rigorous curriculum with clinical placements along the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake-area hospitals. The CCNE-accredited program is competitive and integrates service-oriented learning, with global health opportunities available. Program-level data report median earnings around $62,164 one year after graduation. It is a strong commuting option for Salt Lake-area students who prefer a faith-based environment. CCNE accredited
| |||||
| #7 | Utah Valley University | Orem, UT | $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Utah Valley University in Orem offers an associate degree in nursing and a BSN completion program for licensed RNs. The RN to BSN track is fully online and asynchronous, with full-time and part-time pacing options; the ASN is campus-based. Program-level earnings for the BSN completion track are around $66,900 one year out. Many students commute from the south end of the Salt Lake metro for this flexible path. Rolling admissionsFully online option
| |||||
| #8 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT | ~$10,000/yr (est.) | ||
Weber State University in Ogden serves the Wasatch Front with an associate degree in nursing and an online RN to BSN. The RN to BSN offers accelerated, traditional, and part-time pacing, while the ASN includes hybrid coursework and clinical rotations. Program-level earnings for RN to BSN graduates are about $66,085 one year after completing. The school is a commuter-friendly option for Salt Lake-area students.
ACEN accredited
| |||||
| #9 | Utah State University | Logan, UT | $9,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) | ||
Utah State University in Logan offers a prelicensure BSN on its Logan campus and an associate of applied science in nursing through statewide locations. The BSN is a four-year program with small cohorts and clinical placements in acute care, extended care, and ambulatory settings. Program-level earnings for the BSN are around $65,486 one year out; the AAS nursing pathway reports median earnings around $55,007.
ACEN accredited
| |||||
| #10 | Southern Utah University | Cedar City, UT | $7,000 – $21,000/yr (est.) | ||
Southern Utah University in Cedar City offers a four-semester prelicensure BSN that starts twice per year. The program emphasizes clinical experience in settings from acute and critical care to community health and maternal-newborn care. Program-level earnings for BSN graduates are about $65,898 one year out. Students who can relocate or attend on campus in southern Utah may find this a cost-effective option. CCNE accredited
| |||||
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.
