EducationK-12
![]() More than ten years ago, Utah implemented the Core Curriculum Program, which played a major role in improving the state's education system and in raising student ACT scores. The Class of 1998 continued an upward scoring trend in the ACT with the state exceeding the national average for a decade now. Utah has 40 public school districts, 55 private/parochial schools, nine public colleges and universities and ten private institutions of higher education. Of these, three are major research universities and two have law schools. Higher Education ![]() Brigham Young University (enrollment 32,202) is a private school located in Provo. The university is well known for its computer science program. WordPerfect, Novell and other software firms have been founded by researchers with BYU and University of Utah connections. BYU brought in just under $17 million in outside research grants in 1997. Utah State University in Logan is best known nationally for space-related research. The university (enrollment 23,908) secured a record $107 million in research grants last year, which made it first among U.S. universities in research dollars per faculty member. Nearby in Provo is Utah Valley State College (enrollment 23,803), a four-year institution. Westminster College (enrollment 2,300) is Utah's only private nondenominational college, which offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. U.S. News & World Report has named Westminster in the top tier of colleges and universities in the western region for five consecutive years. Salt Lake Community College (enrollment 20,583) has been named one of the top 100, two-year colleges in various fields including engineering, computer and information sciences, business management and administrative services. To the north of Salt Lake in Ogden is Weber State University (enrollment 14,000), a four-year institution. For a directory of the state's schools, including public, private, parochial and higher education, contact the State Office of Education (801) 538-7500. |
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