University of Utah

No, the University of Utah is not very selective and admits about 90% of applicants, drawing roughly 30,000 applications and enrolling around 6,500 first-year students. Strong grades in a rigorous course load carry the most weight, since the rigor of your high school record and your academic GPA are the only two factors rated very important in Utah's review.

Out-of-state applicants are admitted at a strong rate, slightly above Utah residents. For Fall 2025 the university admitted 89.7% of in-state applicants and 90.4% of out-of-state applicants, so the residency gap is small and actually leans toward non-residents. Out-of-state students make up 39% of undergraduates, so non-residents enroll in large numbers despite the higher tuition.

Aim for a high-B average or better: enrolled first-years averaged a 3.64 high school GPA, and 98% submitted a GPA. There is no hard cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your course load are the two factors Utah weighs as very important, so strong grades in challenging classes matter most.

Yes, the University of Utah is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Among enrolled first-years who submitted, the middle 50% scored 1120–1320 on the SAT and 22–29 on the ACT. Only 14% submitted SAT scores and 36% submitted ACT scores, and when sent, test scores are weighed as a considered factor rather than a required one.

Yes, a 1300 is a competitive SAT score for the University of Utah. It lands in the upper half of the range: the middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1120–1320, with a 50th-percentile mark of 1230, so a 1300 sits comfortably above the median of submitted scores.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $12,252 for Utah residents and $37,454 for out-of-state students, keeping the in-state price among the lower flagship rates in the West. Roughly 30% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average financial aid package near $14,012, and Utah meets about 45% of demonstrated need on average.

Business and marketing leads at about 15% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the social sciences at 13%. Computing and the biological and life sciences each account for about 10%, while engineering and psychology each add 8%, giving Utah broad strength across STEM, business, and the liberal arts.

Yes, the University of Utah reads the application essay as part of a holistic review, where it is rated a considered factor alongside recommendations, activities, and test scores. Grades and course rigor drive the decision, but with so many applicants clearing the academic bar, a specific, well-revised essay helps your file stand out.

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