The 6 Largest College Campuses in Utah Are Practically Their Own Cities

Published By：anonymous Posted On：02/10/2023

Whether you’re an incoming freshman or interested in learning more about collegiate opportunities in your area, you may be curious about some of the largest college campuses in Utah. Just shy of 85,000 square miles,Utah is the 11th largest state in the US. However, the size of its campuses may not be able to compare to the overall size of Utah itself.

Where are the largest Utah campuses located throughout the state? Just how large are these universities? In this article, we’ll address all of these questions and more. We’ll take a look at the six largest college campuses in Utah and how they might compare to one another. Plus, we’ll briefly touch on what makes these locations special should you choose to visit any of these sizable campuses.

College Campuses in Utah: An Overview

Much of Utah’s center is lacking in college campuses, likely due to the geography and populations in these areas.

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There are approximately 21 college campuses in the state of Utah. Most of these universities are public, though some remain private or specialized in a specific trade or field of study. There are multiple community colleges throughout the state as well. However, their campuses aren’t nearly as large as the full-scale university campuses we’ll be discussing today! For the sake of keeping things clear, we won’t include the acreage of many of Utah’s satellite campuses and universities.

Most of the college campuses in Utah can be found in the northernmost portion of the state. The majority of Utah’s busiest campuses are in and around Salt Lake City. However, some campuses are near the Colorado and Arizona borders, many of which are extensions of some of Utah’s largest state schools. Interestingly, much of Utah’s center is lacking in college campuses. This is likely due to the geography and populations found in these areas.

Utah has a lot to offer its university students, especially when it comes to outdoor recreation. This state has four-season opportunities throughout the state. Utah also has a few distinct national parks including Arches, Zion, and Bryce Canyon. Plus, with its proximity to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas, there’s no shortage of entertainment to be had should someone choose to study in Utah!

The Largest College Campuses in Utah

Most of the college campuses in Utah can be found in the northernmost portion of the state, in and around Salt Lake City.

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Just how large are some of Utah’s largest college campuses? Where are they located in the state and how many campuses do these universities have? Let’s learn about the six largest college campuses in Utah now, including what makes these campuses so special!

1. University of Utah– 1500 Acres

The University of Utah offers international campuses to its students, though we won’t count those in our total acreage today!

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Located within the Salt Lake City limits, approximately two miles from its downtown area, the University of Utah is Utah’s largest college campus. It is precisely 1,537 acres, with two other campuses located in other Utah cities. The University of Utah even offers international campuses to its students, though we won’t count those in our total acreage today!

With over 30,000 students attending the University of Utah, this campus boasts plenty of dorms, dining halls, and spots to study. Plus, with its close proximity to everything Salt Lake City has to offer, there’s no shortage of entertainment, resources, and enrichment to be had. There are also shuttles, a rail line, and convenient bike paths to help students get around this lovely campus.

2. Brigham Young University– 560 Acres

The BYU Provo campus is home to the Marriott Center, one of the largest on-campus basketball facilities in the entire United States!

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A private university in Utah, Brigham Young University boasts 560 acres of campus. Located in Provo, BYU serves the northern and central parts of the state. In fact, Provo is a short 45-minute drive south of Salt Lake City, making it convenient for students seeking a more metropolitan location. This university is sponsored and run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

BYU has a few satellite campuses as well as sister schools located abroad, including locations in London and Jerusalem. One of these satellite campuses is located in Salt Lake City, offering students a chance to study in and around LDS Church history. The BYU Provo campus is home to the Marriott Center, an arena primarily used for basketball. This arena is one of the largest on-campus basketball facilities in the entire United States!

3. Utah State University– 400 Acres

Utah State is home to over 100 structures and buildings, including a library that holds nearly 2 million books!

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Considered the largest public residential campus in Utah, Utah State University’s main campus extends across nearly 400 acres. Many students live in and around this campus, located a mere mile away from downtown Logan. Logan itself is just over an hour north of Salt Lake City, making it a convenient location for students in need of international airports. Utah State is home to over 100 structures and buildings, including a library that holds nearly 2 million books!

Throughout the state of Utah, Utah State University has nearly 7,000 acres of campus. This includes extensions, separate specialty campuses, and other collegiate opportunities. The main campus remains an impressive 400 acres, but this university is far more than its main campus acreage alone!

4. Utah Valley University– 228 Acres

Utah Valley University includes multiple campuses in and around the state, including locations in nearby Provo and Lehi.

With nearly 50 buildings on its main campus, Utah Valley University occupies 228 acres in the city of Orem. Orem itself is just north of Provo, offering plenty of transit opportunities to and from these locations. Utah Valley University includes multiple campuses in and around the state, including locations in nearby Provo and Lehi.

5. Southern Utah University– 130 Acres

Southern Utah University is near one of the tallest landlocked lighthouses in the United States, located in Cedar City.

A three-hour drive northeast of Las Vegas lies the town of Cedar City. In Cedar City, Southern Utah University occupies just shy of 130 acres of this beautiful region. While this campus is certainly gorgeous, Southern Utah University is locally known as the University of the Parks. Given its proximity to multiple state and national parks as well as its mild weather, this university is worth checking out if outdoor recreation appeals to you.

Besides the popular Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Utah Summer Games hosted by this college campus, Southern Utah University is near one of the tallest landlocked lighthouses in the United States. While it may not be your first stop in this beautiful area of Utah, you may be interested in checking out this fascinating lighthouse should you have a proper break from studying!

6. Utah Tech University– 100 Acres

Located in St. George, a small town near the Utah-Arizona border, Utah Tech boasts roughly 100 acres of campus– on its main campus, anyway.

While Utah Tech University is the smallest institution on our list, it’s a growing college campus. Located in St. George, a small town near the Utah-Arizona border, Utah Tech boasts roughly 100 acres of campus– on its main campus, anyway. This university is expanding rapidly, with multiple community education centers throughout the state. They have also received a grant that will be utilized in the building of an additional classroom center. This new classroom building is set with a completion date of 2025.