Utah’s university student population surpasses size of Salt Lake City

Utah’s colleges and universities experienced a boost in enrollment this fall bigger than any year in the past decade, defying — at least for now — fears and predictions that have been portending a downturn.

In fact, the state’s schools not only bucked bad news, but saw an exceptional year for student populations. Records were smashed individually at many of Utah’s eight traditional public institutions, as well as systemwide.

The percentage of growth across all public colleges was the largest it’s ever been, at 4.32%. The number of added students — 8,573 more than last year — also has never been so high. Every single college and university in Utah this year gained students, which also hasn’t happened in the past 10 years.

And now, the total amount of students attending traditional higher education in the state has crossed 200,000 for the first time — landing at 207,005 — surpassing the population of the state capital’s city. Last year, there were 198,432 students.

Weber State University President Brad Mortensen called the landmark data a testament to efforts to make school in Utah more accessible, particularly in a year with “many potential headwinds for enrollment, including federal FAFSA delays” that were a barrier to students applying for financial aid.

This fall, Weber State had the biggest percentage jump at 7%, as well as the largest number of added students, at 2,165. Its 32,701 students puts it close behind Utah Valley University and the University of Utah in size.

“And there’s room for more,” Mortensen added.

The Ogden school launched a collaboration last week with two regional technical colleges targeted at directly admitting 10,000 students — especially those who may not think they’re “college material.” It was the latest in string of similar efforts at Utah colleges and with the overarching Utah System of Higher Education to try to recruit more students to go to college in state.

The point is “not only providing access and opportunities to students but also ensuring they complete their degrees,” said Geoffrey Landward, the Utah commissioner over higher education, in a statement Tuesday on the enrollment data.

The focus comes as there has been increasing attention and pressure on the performance of institutions.

The Utah Legislature is currently weighing a possible 10% cut to the budget for higher education, with House Speaker Mike Schultz saying administrative bloat has gotten out of hand. Lawmakers already approved a $20 million, or 1.5%, cut this spring.

Republican politicians also took aim at Utah colleges’ diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, slashing those offices and initiatives and moving funding instead to generic student support.

There had been some concern that the anti-DEI push would impact college enrollment — particularly among students of color. According to the numbers for this fall, that hasn’t happened at this point. The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to roll back affirmative action initiatives nationwide also doesn’t appear to have hurt the diversity of enrollment in Utah.

Even with the strong demand this fall, enrollment both here and at colleges across the nation is still expected to decline. Utah’s big drop is forecast for 2032 — with numbers continuing to dip for a full decade after that, according to new population data analysis from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.

Fewer students enrolling means less money for institutions from tuition and fees. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to [see] there’s this cliff coming, and we’ve got to get ahead of it,” Schultz told The Salt Lake Tribune this week.

Here are some highlights from the latest student population data.

Diversity enrollment stays steady — for now

Every racial and ethnic student population across the Utah System of Higher Education increased this fall but one: Among students who identity as Asian, there was a 2% drop, to 5,171 at all of Utah’s colleges and universities.

The University of Utah accounted for much of that decline, enrolling 270 fewer Asian students in the largest singular drop, to 2,145 in 2024.

Black students at Snow College dropped by about one-third, to 69 this fall. But, overall, the number of Black students across the Utah System of Higher Education climbed.

Snow College also saw a 13% reduction in the number of Latino students it serves to 584. But again, Latino students overall increased in Utah higher education.

Weber State University, for instance, now has more than 4,000 Latino students — making its student body 13.2% Latino, close to the 15% requirement to be recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and receive additional federal funding.

Meanwhile, Salt Lake Community, Utah State University, Utah Tech University, Utah Valley University and Weber State University all saw increases across the board for every demographic of students of color.

Two colleges bounce back

Snow College and Salt Lake Community College are the two most affordable traditional higher education institutions in the state. But Snow College has seen a drop in its student body for four of the past 10 years; SLCC has for six.

This year, both schools saw a jump. Snow College, with campuses in Ephraim and Richfield, grew by the smallest percentage overall, at 1.3%, with 71 added students for 5,577 total. It is also the smallest school in the state.

Snow College President Stacee McIff said in a statement that her focus has been growing the student body there from the surrounding six rural counties in central Utah. And the school reported doing so this fall, by 11%.

“We especially want our rural students and communities to know we are here to support them and help them be successful,” McIff said.

Salt Lake Community College’s student body increased by 2.5% or 673 students, for 27,437 total.

Meanwhile, Southern Utah University and Utah State University saw small decreases in the number of undergraduate students enrolled, but both made up the difference with graduate students and high schoolers seeking college credit.

Utah Valley University remains the largest

UVU in Orem continues to keep its title as the largest college in the state. Its enrollment grew by 4.8%, or 2,156 students, to 46,809.

The school is an open admissions institution, meaning there is no required GPA or standard test scores for admittance. It broke its own record again for its largest freshman class.

“Students continue to choose UVU and have found that it is a place for them to thrive,” said President Astrid Tuminez.

UVU also grew its enrollment for adult learners (by 4.9%), Latino students (by 7.9%) and Native American students (by 13.8%).

More students in nursing, engineering and business

There has been a push by the Utah Legislature for colleges to have more graduates in fields with growing job opportunities, particularly around nursing, engineering and business. Weber State University and UVU report having more students seeking those careers.

Weber State said there are now 4,000 students in its College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology. And its health professions path has more than 4,800 students — with nursing being the most popular program within that.

Nursing enrollment at UVU increased by 15.9% this fall, according to a news release from the school. And finance and economics closely followed at 15.6%

Weber State said students in business and economics jumped by 7%.

“The sheer number of students enrolled in these programs shows how eager people are to get into the jobs that Utah needs most,” said Weber State Provost Ravi Krovi.

UVU also says that 77% of its alumni remain working in Utah 10 years after graduating, meaning they stay here and contribute to the economy.

First-generation growth

UVU also boasted growth for first-generation college students (by 18.5% this fall), with that population now making up 41% of its total student body.

Carmen Guevara Hernandez, who is the first in her family to go to school, said in a statement: “The first-generation community helped me tremendously to adapt during my freshman year.”

Southern Utah University in Cedar City saw a major jump, too, with 25% total first-generation students now. SUU’s incoming freshman class also has students from every single county in Utah, every single state in the country and from 91 countries in the world.

The University of Utah has been focused on retaining first-generation students with a new program. It paired each incoming student on financial aid with a success coach. The school reported that increased its retention of first-generation students from year one to year two by 7%.

The school says that has helped it keep students from lower-income backgrounds, too.

“Going forward, the university will make coaching available to every incoming first-year student, in hopes of further narrowing equity and completion gaps — and helping students adjust to the complex world of college,” according to a news release.

Two schools double size in a decade

Both Utah Tech University in St. George and SUU have doubled their student populations over the past decade.

Utah Tech credits its growth (58% over that time) to its initiatives to make school more affordable. Tuition there is the third lowest in the state for all institutions of higher education — and the lowest among just the universities. It’s $6,307 per year, on average, with fees included.

The school has also increased its academic offerings, including adding 18 new programs this fall. It now has 293 total. And it has just opened new housing, adding 564 beds on campus.

SUU says its boost is in large part thanks to its online program, which now serves more than 3,500 students. The school specifically offers a “speedway” bachelor’s degree in general studies that’s entirely online; students can take classes through that for $75 per credit.

Together, SUU and Utah Tech account for about half of the growth among all eight of the traditional schools over the last decade.

One school already looking at fall 2025

Utah State University on Monday unveiled the Aggie Advantage Grant, which will provide any new students $1,000 for their first year at USU if they apply for federal aid and then register for classes at the land-grant research institution by set deadlines.

Attracting more students, said Katie Jo North, USU’s vice president of strategic enrollment management, during a faculty forum, “is one of the biggest priorities we have at Utah State.”