🎓 University of Utah Scholarships & Financial Aid (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Utah state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarships for residents and nonresidents
- Competitive and departmental scholarships worth exploring
- Honors, WUE eligibility, and key stacking strategies
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~83% (Fall 2024)
- Middle 50% GPA: 3.6–4.0
- Middle 50% SAT: 1150–1350
- Middle 50% ACT: 23–29
Source: University of Utah Common Data Set 2024–25 and Office of Admissions.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
University of Utah at a Glance
The U pairs flagship research with multiple ways to curb cost—automatic merit, competitive awards, and WUE for select nonresidents. Utah residents also have expanding need-based options (e.g., Utah Promise).
FAQ
Does the University of Utah offer automatic merit scholarships? Yes — automatic awards are available based on GPA/test scores for both residents and nonresidents.
What’s the average net price? Around $12,464 per year after grants and scholarships (College Scorecard 2025).
Does Utah participate in WUE? Yes — for eligible majors and out-of-state students from participating states.
Are there full-tuition scholarships? Some competitive programs can cover full resident tuition for top students.
💰 Cost of Attendance at the University of Utah (2025–2026)
These estimates reflect full-time undergraduate enrollment (12–18 credits) at the Salt Lake City campus. Actual costs may vary by housing type, meal plan, and program of study.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $10,287 | $33,063 |
| Housing & Meals (on-campus average) | $13,700 | $13,700 |
| Estimated Total (Before Aid) | $23,987 | $46,763 |
Note: These totals include tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals only. Books, transportation, and personal expenses typically add $3,000–$4,000 per year and are excluded here to keep the table clear. University health insurance is required unless waived with proof of comparable coverage.
🎓 WUE & Residency FAQ
Who qualifies for WUE?
Residents of WUE states and territories (AK, AZ, CA, CO, GU, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, WA, WY, and the Northern Mariana Islands)
who meet academic criteria and apply early for consideration.
Is WUE automatic?
No. WUE at Utah is competitive and space-limited. Strong academics (GPA ≥ 3.85 unweighted preferred)
and early applications increase your chances.
Can WUE be combined with other scholarships?
No. WUE cannot be stacked with Utah’s larger merit scholarships (like the Academic Excellence or Presidential awards).
The university will award whichever option provides the greater benefit.
Can I gain Utah residency later?
It’s possible but difficult. Utah requires 12 months of continuous residence, proof of financial independence,
and limited full-time enrollment during that period. Most out-of-state students don’t qualify until junior year—if at all.
Tuition & Fees (current schedules): https://registrar.utah.edu/tuition/
Net Price Calculator: https://financialaid.utah.edu/net-price-calculator/
Financial Aid — Cost of Attendance guidance: https://financialaid.utah.edu/cost-of-attendance/
Housing & Dining (rates & meal plans): https://housing.utah.edu/rates/
Health Insurance / Waiver information: https://studenthealth.utah.edu/insurance/
WUE program details (University of Utah): https://admissions.utah.edu/wue/
Residency classification (requirements): https://registrar.utah.edu/residency/
Automatic Scholarships at University of Utah
The University of Utah automatically considers Utah residents and out-of-state students for merit scholarships based on their high school GPA, with no separate scholarship application required as long as admissions deadlines are met.
Most major merit awards (such as WUE or the For Utah Scholarship) cannot be combined with other automatic University of Utah merit scholarships. Students receive only their highest-value offer, but smaller department or private awards may be stackable.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship | Up to $12,000/year + housing | Utah residents, ~3.9+ unweighted GPA, new freshmen | No | Yes (8 semesters, GPA/credit req.) | Highest academic Utah residents, top 5–10% of admits | Dec 1 |
| For Utah Scholarship | Full tuition + fees | Utah residents, 3.2+ unweighted GPA, Pell eligible, FAFSA | No (need FAFSA only) | Yes (8 semesters, maintain eligibility) | Lowest income Utah residents who meet GPA/aid cut-off | Dec 1 |
| Utah Academic Scholarship | Up to $8,000/year | Out-of-state, 3.9+ unweighted GPA, new freshmen | No | Yes (8 semesters, GPA/credit req.) | Top nonresident admits (approx. top 10%) | Dec 1 |
| Utah Academic Recognition | $6,000/year | Out-of-state, 3.85–3.89 unweighted GPA, new freshmen | No | Yes (8 semesters, GPA/credit req.) | Strong nonresident students, just below top Academic | Dec 1 |
| Utah Flagship Scholarship | $5,000/year | Out-of-state, 3.75–3.84 unweighted GPA, new freshmen | No | Yes (8 semesters, GPA/credit req.) | Admits with strong grades, not top Academic cutoff | Dec 1 |
| Academic Excellence Award | $1,500–$4,000/year | Out-of-state, 3.6–3.74 unweighted GPA, new freshmen | No | Yes (8 semesters, GPA/credit req.) | Solid nonresident applicants, not highest tier | Dec 1 |
FAQ: University of Utah Automatic Scholarships
No—automatic merit scholarships require only a complete admissions application submitted by the priority date. The For Utah Scholarship also requires a completed FAFSA.
Yes—Utah residents have one set of offerings (President’s, For Utah) and out-of-state students have their own (Utah Academic, Recognition, Flagship, Excellence).
Utah uses your unweighted GPA as calculated from your transcript. Honors/AP/IB coursework is factored into admissions but not into the numeric GPA for scholarship purposes.
Test submission is optional, but if your GPA is on the low end of a cutoff, a strong single-date test score may help. Utah never superscores for admission or scholarships.
Yes—awards are renewable for up to 8 semesters (4 years) as long as academic and credit-hour minimums are met. Details vary by award, but most require 12+ credits per semester and a cumulative GPA check at the end of each year.
Competitive Scholarships at University of Utah
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eccles Distinguished Scholar | Full tuition + enrichment | Top 1–2% of admits, Honors eligible, ACT 34+ or SAT 1500+ | Yes (separate Honors app/nomination) | Yes (up to 8 semesters) | Students with nearly perfect scores and strong leadership/service | Nov 1 |
| Honors College Research Awards | $1,000–$2,500 | Members of the Honors College | No—nominated/project-based | Sometimes (varies by project) | Honors students doing thesis or research | Spring/rolling |
| College/Department Scholarships | $500–$5,000 | Declared in major; departmental selection | Usually yes (college app/essay) | Yes (annual application) | Students with faculty involvement, research, or service | Feb–Mar |
| Outside Donor/Named Awards (via AcademicWorks) | $500–$5,000 | Varies: need or achievement by donor criteria | Yes (AcademicWorks/U search app) | Sometimes | Applicants who write strong essays, align with donor values | Feb–Mar |
FAQ: Competitive Scholarships at Utah
The Eccles Distinguished and full-tuition scholarships are given to fewer than 2% of applicants per year. Most recipients combine top GPAs, national test scores, and impactful extracurriculars.
For Eccles and most research awards, yes—being in Honors is required or heavily preferred. Departmental and outside/donor scholarships can be open to all admitted students.
Watch for the Honors app (Nov 1) and departmental scholarship calls by spring. Use U’s AcademicWorks system for searchable donor awards after admission.
Generally, no. Large awards like Eccles replace other major merit or WUE. Departmental or donor awards may be stackable, but read the terms closely or ask your scholarship office.
University of Utah Honors College
The Honors College is built for curious, purposeful learners: small seminars, priority registration, early research, and a close-knit, diverse community.
Admission is competitive—most students have a 3.75+ unweighted GPA and an ACT around 30 (or SAT 1350+); the 2024 class averaged a 3.90 GPA and ACT 30, with 17% first-generation students.
Honors students are automatically considered for scholarships like the Eccles Distinguished Scholarship and Honors College merit awards.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eccles Distinguished Scholarship | Full tuition, fees, books, on-campus housing, stipend | Utah-resident, 3.9+ GPA, Honors, top-tier scores/service | No (auto for admitted Honors) | Yes (8 semesters) | Top Honors admits, 20 awards/year; 1–2% of applicants | Jan 1 |
| Honors College Merit Awards | $1,000–$7,500/year | Honors admits, merit/leadership/service | No (auto on Honors admission) | Yes | All Honors freshmen with strong portfolio/essay | Jan 1 |
| Honors Thesis/Research Awards | $500–$2,000 | Honors College students working on senior projects | Yes (project proposal) | No (project based) | Juniors/seniors with strong project, faculty mentor | Feb/rolling |
| Honors College Opportunity/Access Grants | $500–$2,000 | Honors students with demonstrated financial need | Yes (FAFSA/ORSAA + short essay) | No | First-generation, Pell-eligible, or underrepresented | Mar 1 |
Honors is both an accelerated academic track and a launchpad to top scholarships and research opportunities.
FAQ: Utah Honors College
Yes, submit the Honors College application (via Common App or university portal) by the stated deadline; it also puts you in the running for Eccles and Honors merit aid.
For students seeking seminar-style classes, early research, and campus leadership, Honors is often deeply rewarding: it gives mentoring, priority registration, and scholarship access. It isn’t needed for all, but is highly valued by many.
Middle 50%: 3.75+ GPA and ACT 30 (or SAT 1350+). Most accepted applicants meet or exceed these numbers, even though Utah is test-optional.
Yes—major competitive scholarships (Eccles Distinguished, Honors Research Awards) go only to Honors students.
It’s highly competitive—only 20 awarded annually, almost always to the very top Honors admits. However, all Honors students are in the pool for other merit and departmental grants that can combine for significant aid.