Salt Lake City, UT — Enrollment across Utah’s public higher education institutions has surged in fall 2025, with a total of 216,116 students enrolled across the state’s eight degree-granting institutions. This marks a 4.2% increase from last year’s 207,005 students, according to data from the Utah System of Higher Education released this week.
Enrollment Growth Across Utah’s Higher Education Institutions
Seven of Utah’s eight public colleges and universities saw an increase in enrollment this year, with Salt Lake Community College recording the largest growth of 14.71%, reaching 31,473 students. This surge marks the highest enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted higher education, including growth across concurrent enrollment, new, and returning students.
“I’m proud to see our enrollment numbers rise so significantly this fall,” said Greg Peterson, President of Salt Lake Community College. “This growth reflects the college’s continued commitment to creating an environment where students can thrive.”
Utah Valley University continues to lead the state in enrollment with 48,670 students, reflecting a 3.98% increase from 46,809 last year.
The University of Utah also saw notable growth, with 3.48% more students enrolled this year compared to 2024. The school now has 38,257 students, marking the highest enrollment rate in the school’s history.
“Enrollment growth only matters when it leads to student success,” said Paul Kohn, senior vice provost for strategic enrollment and student success at the University of Utah. “We’re investing in every stage of the student journey to help students graduate in a timely and meaningful way.”
Notable Growth at Other Universities
Utah State University welcomed its largest-ever group of first-year students this year, with 29,831 total students enrolled. This represents a 3.2% increase from last year’s 28,900.
“USU’s strong fall enrollment reflects Utah State’s commitment to access and opportunity,” said Alan L. Smith, interim President of Utah State University. “As a land-grant institution, we take pride in opening doors for students from every corner of our state.”
Southern Utah University experienced a 2.47% increase, bringing its student body to 15,825.
Weber State University saw a 1.81% increase, reaching a record 33,293 students this year.
“Other universities across the country are seeing declines in enrollment, but Weber State is seeing an uptick,” said Jessica Oyler, vice president of Student Access & Success at Weber State. “This shows the value of regional public universities and their impact on the community.”
The smallest increase was seen at Utah Tech University, with a modest 0.3% rise, bringing its enrollment to 13,207 students.
A Strong Year for Utah’s Higher Education
Overall, Utah’s public higher education system is experiencing a rebound from the challenges of the pandemic, with steady increases across most institutions. This growth is attributed to a combination of factors, including enhanced access to education, affordability, and greater support for new and returning students.
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