Janice Lozano
The University of Utah is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. It is the state's flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges and an enrollment of more than 34,000 students. The university provides various transportation options for students, including campus shuttles, buses, trains, cars, bikes, and walking. While a large percentage of the undergraduate community at the University of Utah commutes to campus, there is still a significant number of residential students. The university offers a range of activities for its resident students, including social events, sports, and political and environmental initiatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of undergraduate students | 26,827 |
| Number of graduate students | 8,409 |
| Total number of students | 35,236 |
| Percentage of students who commute | Not stated, but a "very large percentage" |
| Number of students who commute | Not stated |
What You'll Learn
Transport options for commuters
The University of Utah has a Commuter Services department dedicated to providing students, faculty, staff, and visitors with various transportation options. Here is a detailed overview of the transport options for commuters:
Bus
The University of Utah has partnered with UTA to provide students, staff, and faculty access to the majority of UTA bus services at no cost. There are over 60 UTA bus stops on campus, making public transportation easily accessible. Students can use their UCard as a transit pass to tap on and off when boarding and exiting buses.
Train
The UTA partnership also includes TRAX, with four stations on campus located at the South Campus, Fort Douglas, and the Medical Center, all accessible via the Red Line. Additionally, the FrontRunner service provides convenient access to Salt Lake City for commuters from Davis and Utah County.
Car
The University of Utah offers parking options for commuters, with parking regulations enforced Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and during special events. Fire lanes and ADA areas are enforced 24/7.
Campus Shuttles
The University operates Campus Shuttles with accessible routes and schedules. These shuttles accommodate personal scooters and skateboards but do not allow bicycles on board. The main campus routes operate Monday through Friday, excluding academic breaks. There are multiple shuttle routes, including the Blue Detour Route, Orange Route, Circulator Route, and Sunnyside Route, each serving different locations on campus.
Vanpool
Vanpool is a UTA service that accommodates larger groups, typically consisting of 7 to 15 passengers who share the cost based on the number of people and distance traveled. Vanpool costs cover fuel, maintenance, insurance, and vehicle leasing.
UTA On Demand
This is an app-based transportation service that connects riders with other transit services, such as TRAX, FrontRunner, or Bus, as well as other destinations in the community. UTA On Demand is a separate service from the UCard transit pass and requires payment.
Bicycle and Foot
The University of Utah also supports commuting by bicycle or on foot, with dedicated resources and infrastructure to ensure a safe and convenient campus commuting experience for all.
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Bicycle Master Plan
The University of Utah unveiled a new plan in 2012 to make the campus more conducive to cyclists, with the aim of promoting bicycle ridership and making the campus a safer and more accessible place for cycling. This plan, known as the "Bicycle Master Plan", provides guidelines for facilities and programs within the University's jurisdiction and offers recommendations for working with external entities to improve bicycling conditions in the wider campus environment.
The University of Utah is located in a large metropolitan area, with many students living in the surrounding neighbourhoods. The campus covers 1,534 acres, including the Health Sciences complex, Research Park, and Fort Douglas. The main campus is served by a network of campus shuttles, which run on biodiesel and used vegetable oil, operating on six different routes. The University also has a partnership with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), which provides access to a range of transportation services for students, staff, and faculty, including bus, train, and light rail options.
The Bicycle Master Plan emphasises the importance of both campus pathways and on-street facilities to connect the core campus area with the surrounding communities. The University's campus shuttles do not allow bicycles on board, but there are over 60 UTA bus stops on campus, and bicycles are allowed on UTA buses and trains. The University's partnership with UTA is designed to help connect students, staff, and faculty who are interested in saving time and money by commuting together, including those looking for bike partners.
The University's efforts towards sustainability also include a permanent sustainability office, a campus cogeneration plant, energy-efficient building standards, behaviour modification programs, local produce sourcing for campus dining, a farmers market, and student groups. The University is ranked 8th by the EPA for annual green power usage among universities, with almost half of its power coming from geothermal and solar sources.
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On-campus housing
The University of Utah offers a range of on-campus housing options for both undergraduate and graduate students. First-year students can apply to live on campus in Housing U in CIS by completing an application and paying a $130 application fee. The university also offers family and graduate housing options, such as the Sunnyside Apartments, which are located about ten minutes from the main campus. These apartments are intended for single graduate students or students with families and include utilities, basic cable television, telephone service, and high-speed internet. Shuttle and bus services are available for those who need transportation to and from campus.
In addition to the Sunnyside Apartments, the University of Utah owns and operates 1,117 apartments, with plans to open more units in the future. These apartments are also located about ten minutes from campus, and shuttle and bus services are provided. Secure bicycle storage is available for residents of the Sunnyside Apartments.
For students who are looking for temporary housing while they search for a permanent place to stay, the University Guest House offers 180 rooms that are affordable, comfortable, and within walking distance of the main campus. A free shuttle service is also available. Reservations are recommended, as rooms fill up quickly, especially at the beginning of the semester.
When living on campus, students should bring items such as bedding, towels, toiletries, and kitchen items, as these are not typically included in the dorm rooms. It is also important to communicate with roommates or suitemates to avoid bringing duplicate items. Students can also choose to rent some of these supplies from Housing for a fee by ordering them in advance.
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Off-campus housing
The University of Utah offers its students a range of off-campus housing options. The University's Off-Campus Housing Site provides a platform for students to find a place to rent, lease, find a roommate, buy or sell furniture, or post messages. The site also allows students to filter their searches by price, style, and amenities, and also see the walking, biking, and public transit distance from any point on campus.
The University also provides an International Student Council Facebook page, where students can share information about available apartments, find roommates, or buy/sell furniture. Additionally, students can check bulletin boards in their departments and across the campus for information about roommates, rooms to rent, or apartments to rent.
The University of Utah owns and operates 1,117 apartments, with additional units opening in the future. These units are primarily intended for single graduate students or students with families, and are located in the Sunnyside Apartments, West Village, and East Village, about ten minutes from campus. Shuttle and bus services are available from these locations, and secure bicycle storage is provided for Sunnyside residents.
There are also several private off-campus housing options available for students, such as the Yugo Salt Lake City Landing and the University Gardens Apartments, which are within walking distance of the campus. These apartments are equipped with amenities such as on-site recycling, Energy Star appliances, bicycle racks, and natural amenities.
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Student demographics
The University of Utah is a large public research university with a total enrollment of over 34,000 students, including 26,827 undergraduates and 8,409 graduate students as of fall 2023. The university has a diverse student body, with 35% of students coming from out of state and a mix of religious and cultural backgrounds, including a significant number of LDS Church members. The student body includes a large percentage of commuters, with many students choosing to live with their parents or family while attending the university. Additionally, there are a lot of older and married students.
The university has a holistic admissions process that considers ACT/SAT standardised test scores, GPA, grade trends, rigorous AP/IB/Honours classes taken in high school, and other personal achievements and characteristics. The average high school GPA for the incoming class of 2023 was 3.66, and the university had an acceptance rate of 62%.
The University of Utah is the state's flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges offering more than 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate degree programs. The university is a member of the Association of American Universities and the Pac-12 athletic conference. It strives to foster student success by preparing students from diverse backgrounds for leadership and citizenship. The university is committed to generating and sharing new knowledge, discoveries, and innovations, and engaging with local and global communities to promote education, health, and quality of life.
The campus is located on the east side of Salt Lake City, just minutes away from the city's vibrant downtown and surrounded by nature, including the Wasatch Mountain range. The campus offers a range of facilities and resources for students, including libraries, fitness centres, and student activity centres. The university also provides various transportation options for commuters, including campus shuttles, buses, trains, and bicycles.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2025, the exact number of students who commute to the University of Utah is unknown, however, it is known that a very large percentage of students choose to commute while living with their parents or family.
The University of Utah has an agreement with the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) that provides students, faculty, and staff access to TRAX, UTA buses, and Frontrunner trains for free with their student/employee ID badges. The university also offers campus shuttles, and there are several buses that run through the university area.
One benefit of commuting to the University of Utah is the easy access to transportation options, as the university is located in a large metropolitan area and is close to downtown Salt Lake City. However, a drawback is that there is little contact with the school's administration, and students mention that there is no hand-holding at the university, so it can be easy to slip through the cracks if you're unsure of your major or career plans.
