Key Takeaways
- Salt Lake City is home to the University of Utah College of Nursing - top-20 nationally.
- Utah RNs earn $70,000-$88,000/yr per BLS data; SLC metro is at the upper range.
- Intermountain Health, University of Utah Health, and HCA Healthcare are major employers.
- Utah IS an NLC compact state - your license is portable to all other compact states.
- Salt Lake Community College and Westminster University offer accessible BSN and ADN pathways.
- Utah's rapidly growing population is creating strong healthcare demand and nursing job market.
Nursing Schools in Salt Lake City, UT: 2025 Guide
Salt Lake City has emerged as one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the western US. Utah's explosive population growth - among the fastest of any state - is driving rapid healthcare infrastructure expansion. Intermountain Health, one of the most respected health systems in the country, is headquartered in Salt Lake City and is a major clinical training partner and employer for nursing graduates throughout the state.
This guide covers the top nursing programs in Salt Lake City, program types, RN salary expectations, licensing, and why SLC is a compelling market for nursing careers.
Top Nursing Schools in Salt Lake City
- University of Utah College of Nursing (Salt Lake City): Consistently ranked top-20 nationally. CCNE-accredited BSN, MS, DNP, and PhD programs. Located on UHealth's academic medical campus with exceptional clinical access through University of Utah Hospital, a Level I trauma center.
- Westminster University School of Nursing (Salt Lake City): Private university with CCNE-accredited BSN and nursing programs. Strong clinical partnerships in the SLC metro.
- Salt Lake Community College (Salt Lake City/Murray): ADN program - most affordable RN pathway in the Salt Lake area. Strong NCLEX pass rates.
- Roseman University of Health Sciences (South Jordan): Private health sciences university with accelerated BSN and MSN programs. Unique accelerated format (8-week blocks).
- Brigham Young University (Provo, 45 min from SLC): BYU's nursing program is highly selective and offers strong BSN and graduate tracks. BYU's unique culture and tuition structure make it distinctive.
Nursing Program Types in Salt Lake City
- ADN (2 years): Salt Lake Community College. Most affordable pathway to RN licensure.
- BSN (4 years): University of Utah, Westminster, and others. Increasingly required by SLC health systems.
- Accelerated BSN (12-18 months): Roseman University specializes in accelerated health sciences formats.
- RN-to-BSN: Available online and hybrid at University of Utah and Westminster.
- MS/DNP: Graduate programs at University of Utah for NP, CRNA, and advanced practice roles.
Average RN Salary in Salt Lake City
According to BLS wage data for registered nurses, the national 2024 median RN wage is $93,600 per year. Utah RNs earn near or slightly below the national median, with SLC metro nurses at the top of the state range:
- New graduate RN (0-2 yrs): $60,000-$70,000/yr
- Mid-career RN (3-7 yrs): $70,000-$84,000/yr
- Experienced RN (8+ yrs): $80,000-$98,000/yr
- Nurse Practitioner: $108,000-$130,000/yr
- CRNA: $175,000-$230,000/yr
Utah's healthcare wages are competitive given the state's relatively lower cost of living compared to coastal western markets. Salt Lake City's housing costs, while rising rapidly, remain substantially below Denver, Seattle, or any California metro - meaning RN wages have strong real purchasing power in the SLC market.
Utah Nursing License
Utah IS an NLC compact state. After passing NCLEX-RN, apply for your Utah RN license through the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Your Utah license is valid in all other NLC compact states.
Top Nursing Employers in Salt Lake City
- Intermountain Health: Headquartered in Salt Lake City, operates 33 hospitals throughout the Intermountain West. Nationally recognized for clinical quality. Multiple SLC facilities including Intermountain Medical Center (Murray) and Primary Children's Hospital.
- University of Utah Health: Academic medical center with Level I trauma center. Strong research nursing and specialty practice environments.
- HCA Healthcare Mountain Division: Multiple Utah hospitals including St. Mark's and other facilities throughout the metro.
- Primary Children's Hospital (Intermountain): One of the premier pediatric hospitals in the western US. A destination employer for pediatric specialty nurses.
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System: Major VA facility with multiple clinical locations.
Why Choose Salt Lake City for Nursing?
Salt Lake City offers a compelling combination for nursing students: a top-20 nursing school, a rapidly growing healthcare market, and a city consistently ranked among the most livable in the western US. Utah's population growth means healthcare demand is growing faster than the nurse workforce, creating favorable employment conditions for new graduates.
The outdoor lifestyle - world-class skiing within 45 minutes of downtown, national parks a few hours away, and 300+ days of sunshine - is a genuine quality-of-life factor that attracts nurses from across the country. Combined with an NLC compact license and wages that compare well to the local cost of living, SLC makes a strong case for nursing students and career-changers.
Find Nursing Programs in Salt Lake City
- University of Utah College of Nursing - nursing.utah.edu
- Salt Lake Community College - slcc.edu (ADN)
- Westminster University - westminsteru.edu
- Roseman University of Health Sciences - roseman.edu
- BYU College of Nursing (Provo) - byu.edu/nursing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Utah nursing program hard to get into? The UU BSN program is competitive, requiring strong science prerequisite grades and typically a 3.5+ GPA. Graduate programs (MS, DNP) are even more selective. SLCC's ADN program is more accessible for students who may not initially qualify for UU's direct admission.
Why are Utah nursing wages growing? Utah's population is growing faster than almost any other state, driving healthcare facility expansion. The nurse workforce has not kept pace with demand, creating the shortage conditions that push wages up. SLC health systems have been raising starting wages and offering retention bonuses to compete for qualified nurses.
Is Intermountain Health a good place to start a nursing career? Yes. Intermountain Health is consistently recognized as one of the best health systems in the US for clinical quality and nursing practice. Their new-grad residency programs are well-structured, and the organization's emphasis on evidence-based care and continuing education supports strong career development for nurses who start there.
.svg)
