The 13 Best Masters Programs in Salt Lake City for 2026
As one of the fastest growing tech and innovation hubs in America, Salt Lake City offers fantastic opportunities for graduate students looking to advance their education and career prospects. Home to two Tier 1 research universities and a thriving startup scene, Salt Lake City provides access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge facilities and abundant career prospects after graduation.
Grad school enrollment has been on the rise in Utah, with graduate students now making up 12.4% of total university enrollment in the state – outpacing the national average of 11.8%. Much of this statewide growth is centered in Salt Lake City, driven by expanding offerings at schools like the University of Utah and Westminster College.
In this definitive guide, we explore some of Salt Lake City‘s top masters programs for 2023 admissions across a diverse range of specializations – from computer science to business, social work, healthcare and more.
1. Neumont College of Computer Science
History: Founded in 2003, Neumont College of Computer Science is a private college offering practical, intensive education focused exclusively in high-demand technology fields – specifically computer science, cybersecurity and data science.
Key Stats:
- Address: 143 S Main St #100, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
- Phone: (801) 553-7200
- Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (Niche)
Admissions Competitiveness:
With small class sizes (average cohort is 180 students), acceptance into Neumont‘s programs is fairly competitive, with only 50-60% of applicants admitted. However, those accepted typically have lower average test scores than comparable programs, indicating Neumont focuses less on academics alone.
Notable Masters Programs:
- MS in Computer Science
- MS in Cybersecurity
- MS in Data Science
All masters programs at Neumont feature a mix of traditional coursework and team project work supervised by faculty and industry mentors. Rather than a final thesis, students complete two Capstone projects, gaining significant experience comparable to over a year working in industry.
Spotlight on the MS Computer Science Program
Neumont‘s Master of Computer Science program equips graduates to navigate complex software engineering roles and rise into leadership positions. The program curriculum includes:
- Software Architecture
- Advanced Web Development
- Mobile Development
- Cloud Application Development
- Data Modeling & Database Management
- Software Project Management
Over a 9 month internship embedded in the program, students gain professional experience and often receive full-time offers before graduation.
Alumni Spotlight:
"The connections I made combined with the continuous career-focused education I received at Neumont gave me confidence during interviews when searching for security jobs." – Alexandra S., Security Engineer, Square
Career Outcomes: Within 6 months of completing their program, 97% of Neumont master‘s graduates secure full-time employment in their field, typically earning starting salaries between $70,000-$90,000. Major employers include Microsoft, Epic Games, Goldman Sachs, Intel, Deloitte and Boeing.
2. University of Utah College of Social Work
History: Established in 1936, the College of Social Work at the University of Utah is one of the oldest social work programs in the western United States. For over 80 years, the College of Social Work has prepared students to address systemic inequities and meet individual, family and community needs across Utah.
Key Stats:
- Address: 395 S 1500 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
- Phone: (801) 585-7977
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
- Ranked #40 Best Value Schools for Social Work (Value Colleges)
Admissions Competitiveness: With over 800 graduate students across Masters and Doctorate levels, admissions rates fall around a competitive 50-55% for the MSW program with an average entering GPA of 3.3. Applicants are evaluated holistically based on work experience, letters of reference, personal statements and interviews in addition to GPA/test scores.
Notable Programs:
The College offers both traditional and advanced standing options in its Master of Social Work (MSW) program, catering to both students new to social work and experienced practitioners looking to advance their careers.
Specializations offered in the MSW program are unique within Utah and focus on Community Practice and Social Justice:
- Community Practice for Social Innovation
- Integrated Practice with Latinx Communities
- Disability Studies in Practice
- Global Social Work Practice
Spotlight – Joint Masters MSW/MPH Program
The innovative dual Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health program develops leader across health and social services to tackle systemic barriers to community health equity:
"My education was extensive – each degree could have stood alone successfully. Combined they empowered me as I now view health and policy issues through economic, racial, ableist and social justice lenses." – Alicia G., Graduate
Faculty Excellence: College of Social Work faculty drive research and advocacy initiatives on criminal justice reform, disaster resilience, homelessness, education equity and child welfare. Over 92% hold terminal degrees, bringing cutting edge scholarship into the classroom.
Career Outcomes: Graduates tales roles across nonprofits organizations, government agencies health services, schools and hospitals as social workers, case managers, program coordinators and directors. The average starting salary with an MSW surpasses $50K/year nationwide.
Find more top graduate program options in SLC like the David Eccles School of Business MBA in this guide.
Cost Comparison
Affordability and value should be key considerations when evaluating graduate programs. Here is an overview of average annual tuition costs among some of Salt Lake City‘s top schools:
| Institution | Degree | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster College | MBA | $40,968 |
| Univ. of Utah | Computer Science MS | $32,048 (in-state) |
| Neument College | Master‘s Programs | $26,950 |
| BYU SLC | MBA | $25,000 |
Applying to competitive graduate programs can be challenging – here are tips for getting into top SLC grad schools:
Take Standardized Test Prep Seriously
Many programs still require GRE or GMAT scores – invest time prepping to hit above average benchmarks.
Highlight Research Experience
Experience collaborating with faculty advisors through projects, theses or published papers is highly valued.
Showcase Unique Passions
Grad school is a chance to pursue interests with like-minded scholars – let your uniqueness shine through.
Obtain Strong Letters of Recommendation
Ask 3-4 mentors who can speak in-depth to your skills, growth and potential.
Start Early!
Begin preparing 12-18 months before you plan to enroll. Retaking tests, researching programs and writing essays takes time.
Financing graduate education can be daunting. Here are some top funding options SLC students should consider:
University Fellowships & Grants
Inquire about competitive fellowships awarded by your grad program based on academic merit or research proposals. These range from a few thousand dollars to covering full tuition plus a living stipend.
Employer Tuition Assistance
Over 90% of Utah employers offer tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year through the state‘s strategic Workforce Education Initiative.
Graduate Research Assistantships (GRAs)
GRAs roles allow grad students to gain experience assisting university faculty in research or labs while receiving tuition remission and a living stipend.
Federal Work-Study
Federal work-study provides part-time employment opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing students to earn income to pay education expenses.
Beyond the excellent academic offerings highlighted so far, Salt Lake City offers unique advantages for graduate students:
Thriving Innovation Ecosystem
Home to University of Utah‘s cutting-edge research labs and incubators like BioInnovations Gateway and Lassonde Studios, SLC offers unparalleled opportunities for students to gain experience and build networks launching impact-driven startups.
Abundant Outdoors Access
With 5 national parks within driving distance and campus nestled against the Wasatch mountains, SLC delivers world-class skiing, hiking, climbing and more to fuel adventures beyond the classroom.
Sustainability & Social Consciousness
The outdoor ethos also influences a strong campus consciousness around sustainability – the UofU is one of America‘s greenest universities, and graduate research projects frequently promote environmental and social impact.
Between rising university investments in next-generation labs, entrepreneurial accelerators and research centers combined with an unbeatable quality of life, Salt Lake City offers an ideal launchpad for graduate students ready to accelerate ideas that change lives.
Hopefully this guide has helped showcase the breadth of outstanding masters program options SLC provides across technology, social sciences, healthcare and more.
Whichever long-term career goals you may have, SLC almost certainly has a program to set you up for success.