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Utah State University

Logan, UT

publicgraduate

Quick Facts

"Research, Service, Teaching"

Wikipedia
1888
Founded
Public land-grant research university
Type
20,342
Total Students
26,629
Undergrad
3,202
Graduate
$617M
Endowment
(2025)
$9K
Tuition (In-State)
$25K
Tuition (Out-State)
$13K
Avg Net Price
94%
Acceptance Rate
57%
Graduation Rate
6-year
74%
Retention Rate
Doctoral Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Utah State University

Utah State: A land-grant powerhouse with very high research activity and a global impact.

Utah State University (USU) stands as a vibrant public land-grant and "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" institution nestled in Logan, Utah. With a student body nearing 30,000 across a vast statewide system, its Logan campus is notably the largest public residential campus in Utah, fostering a strong sense of community and hands-on learning. Driven by its motto, "Research, Service, Teaching," USU embodies a commitment to practical education and groundbreaking discovery, empowering students to make a real-world impact.

Established in 1888 under the Morrill Land-Grant Acts, USU's roots are deeply entwined with the nation's push for accessible, applied education. Initially focused on agriculture, mechanical arts, and military science, the university has evolved into a comprehensive institution recognized for its leadership. Its esteemed Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program even earned it the nickname "West Point of the West," a testament to its long-standing commitment to service and leadership.

USU is a global leader in innovation, particularly in engineering, space science, satellite technology, and agriculture. Through its Space Dynamics Laboratory, USU has contributed to over 500 successful space missions, launching more experiments into space than any other university worldwide. Recognized nationally among the top 50 public universities for research expenditures, which reached $517 million in 2025, USU also boasts the second-oldest undergraduate research program in the U.S., hailed as the nation's best. Furthermore, it uniquely houses Utah's only colleges of veterinary medicine and agriculture.

Beyond academics, Utah State offers a dynamic student experience. Its athletic teams, the Aggies, compete in NCAA Division I and are set to join the Pac-12 Conference in 2026, promising exciting collegiate sports. With 12 campuses, numerous extension offices, and extensive research facilities, USU provides unparalleled opportunities for learning, engagement, and hands-on discovery across the state, making it a truly impactful institution for prospective students and their families.

Key Highlights

  • Classified as an "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" institution.
  • Enrolls 29,831 students across its statewide system, with its Logan campus being Utah's largest public residential campus.
  • Participated in over 500 successful space missions, launching more experiments and payloads into space than any other university globally.
  • Ranked among the top 50 public universities for research expenditures, reporting $517 million in 2025.
  • Hosts the nation's best undergraduate research program, the second-oldest in the United States.
  • Houses Utah's only colleges of veterinary medicine and agriculture.
  • Athletic teams, the Aggies, compete in NCAA Division I and will join the Pac-12 Conference in 2026.

Timeline

1862
The Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act is signed, establishing a system of public institutions for agriculture and mechanical arts.
1888
The Agricultural College of Utah is chartered as the state's land-grant institution.
1890
The college opens its doors on September 2, with Vendla Berntson as its first student.
1903
The Agricultural College of Utah organizes its first six schools, including Agriculture and Military Science.
1924
A dedicated School of Education is created.
1950
The School of Graduate Studies is established to coordinate master's and doctoral programs.
2007
The business college is renamed the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business following a $26 million gift.
2022
The College of Veterinary Medicine is established, becoming Utah's first four-year veterinary college.
2025
A major academic reorganization takes effect on July 1, consolidating colleges into seven academic colleges and schools.
2026
Utah State's athletic teams, the Aggies, are set to join the Pac-12 Conference as a full member.
🏛️
138 Years
of Excellence

Schools & Colleges

7 notable schools within Utah State University

🎭

College of Arts & Sciences

Formed July 1, 2025, from the Caine College of the Arts, the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, and the College of Science.

🏫

S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Formed July 1, 2025, from the College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences and the Quinney College of Natural Resources, housing Utah's only College of Agriculture.

💼

Jon M. Huntsman School of Business

Founded in 1889, it is the oldest continuously operating business college in the Western U.S. and home to the Shingo Institute.

📚

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Established in 1924, this college focuses on education and human development.

⚙️

College of Engineering

Established in 1903, this college is internationally recognized for its academics and research in engineering, space science, and aerospace.

🏥

College of Veterinary Medicine

Established in 2022, it is Utah's first four-year veterinary college.

🎓

School of Graduate Studies

Established in 1950, it coordinates all master's and doctoral programs, graduate policies, and assistantships across the university's colleges.

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