Accredited Nursing Schools in Utah: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in nursing, one of the first steps is finding an accredited nursing school to attend. Accreditation is important because it ensures that the program meets certain standards for curriculum, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes. In Utah, there are several accredited nursing schools that offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

In this article, we’ll explore the top accredited nursing schools in Utah, including their programs, admission requirements, and tuition costs.

Brigham Young University College of Nursing

Brigham Young University (BYU) College of Nursing offers a variety of nursing programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The college is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has been ranked among the top 10% of nursing schools nationwide by U.S. News & World Report.

Undergraduate Programs

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): This program prepares students for entry-level nursing positions and includes courses such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment.
• Second Degree BSN: This accelerated program is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field but wish to pursue a career in nursing.
• RN to BSN: This online program is designed for registered nurses (RNs) with an associate degree or diploma who want to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Graduate Programs

• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): This program offers several specialty tracks such as family nurse practitioner, adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, and more.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): This program focuses on advanced clinical practice and leadership roles in healthcare systems.

Admission Requirements:

For undergraduate programs:

• High school GPA of at least 3.0
• ACT score of at least 28 or SAT score of at least 1310
• Prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, and math

For graduate programs:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field
• RN license (for certain programs)
• GRE (for some programs)

Tuition Costs:

BYU College of Nursing tuition for undergraduate students is $5,970 per semester for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and $11,940 per semester for non-members. Graduate program tuition varies depending on the program and residency status.

University of Utah College of Nursing

The University of Utah College of Nursing is another top-ranked nursing school in Utah. The college is accredited by CCNE and offers a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Undergraduate Programs

• BSN: This program prepares students for entry-level nursing positions and includes courses such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and more.
• RN to BSN: This online program is designed for RNs who want to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Graduate Programs

• MSN: This program offers several specialty tracks such as nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, nursing education, and more.
• DNP: This program focuses on advanced clinical practice or leadership roles in healthcare systems.

Admission Requirements:

For undergraduate programs:

• High school GPA of at least 3.0
• ACT score of at least 22 or SAT score of at least 1100
• Completion of prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, math, and English

For graduate programs:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field
• RN license (for certain programs)
• GRE (for some programs)

Tuition Costs:

University of Utah College of Nursing tuition for undergraduate students is $4,956 per semester for Utah residents and $13,356 per semester for non-residents. Graduate program tuition varies depending on the program and residency status.

Weber State University Dumke College Of Health Professions

Weber State University’s Dumke College of Health Professions offers a variety of nursing programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The college is accredited by CCNE and has been recognized as one of the top schools for RN to BSN and online graduate nursing programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Undergraduate Programs

• BSN: This program prepares students for entry-level nursing positions and includes courses such as healthcare ethics, pharmacology, and health assessment.
• RN to BSN: This online program is designed for RNs who want to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Graduate Programs

• MSN: This program offers several specialty tracks such as nurse educator, family nurse practitioner, acute care nurse practitioner, and more.

Admission Requirements:

For undergraduate programs:

• High school GPA of at least 2.5
• ACT score of at least 19 or SAT score of at least 960
• Completion of prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, math, and English

For graduate programs:

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing or a related field
• RN license (for certain programs)
• GRE (for some programs)

Tuition Costs:

Weber State University tuition for undergraduate students is $3,720 per semester for Utah residents and $9,568 per semester for non-residents. Graduate program tuition varies depending on the program and residency status.

Westminster College School Of Nursing And Health Sciences

Westminster College’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers several nursing programs at the undergraduate level. The school is accredited by CCNE.

Undergraduate Programs

• BSN: This program prepares students for entry-level nursing positions and includes courses such as human anatomy, pathophysiology, microbiology, and more.
• Second Degree BSN: This accelerated program is designed for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field but wish to pursue a career in nursing.

Admission Requirements:

For undergraduate programs:

• High school GPA of at least 2.8 or college GPA of at least 2.5
• ACT score of at least 20 or SAT score of at least 1030
• Completion of prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry, math, and English

Tuition Costs:

Westminster College tuition for undergraduate students is $18,540 per semester.

Conclusion

Choosing an accredited nursing school is an important decision that will impact your career as a nurse. Utah has several top-ranked nursing schools that offer a range of undergraduate and graduate programs to suit your needs. Brigham Young University College of Nursing, University of Utah College of Nursing, Weber State University Dumke College Of Health Professions, and Westminster College School Of Nursing And Health Sciences are among the best nursing schools in Utah that can help you achieve your goals.

Remember to carefully consider admission requirements, tuition costs, and program offerings before making a decision on which nursing school to attend. With dedication and hard work, you can become a highly skilled and compassionate nurse who provides quality care to patients.