Statewide access to education
Utah State offers degrees and certificates at 30 campuses and centers across Utah, along with online programs that allow students to start or complete degrees close to home.
Utah State University is Utah’s land-grant public research university with a statewide system of campuses and centers.
Utah State was created to expand access to higher education and share practical knowledge across the state in 1888 under the Morrill Act of 1862.
How the land-grant mission works today
Today, land-grant universities serve a broader audience and offer programs in many disciplines while maintaining a focus on real-world problem-solving and public service. Most land-grant universities, including Utah State, emphasize three connected areas:
- Education: Teaching and student learning
- Research: Discovery and innovation that address pressing needs
- Extension and outreach: Sharing knowledge and resources with communities
At Utah State, this land-grant mission means more Utahns can access higher education, families and communities have a trusted source of research-based information, and leaders across the state can draw on independent expertise as they plan for Utah’s future.
Utah State’s land-grant mission in action
Extension in every county
Through Utah State University Extension, the university serves all 29 counties in Utah with research-based programs in agriculture, youth development, family and consumer sciences, community development and related areas.
Local research with statewide impact
Utah State’s Agricultural Experiment Station and other research centers focus on issues such as water, climate, rangelands, agriculture and community and economic well-being, helping Utahns respond to changing conditions and opportunities.
These efforts connect students, researchers and communities so that discoveries in the lab and field are translated into programs, services and educational opportunities across Utah.
What is a land-grant university?
A land-grant university is designated by a state legislature or by Congress to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts. These institutions were established to provide affordable, practical education in fields such as agriculture, the mechanical arts and related disciplines for people who previously had limited access to higher education.
In the news
Utah State University Supported $1.4 Billion in GDP, $2.2 Billion in Economic Output in 2023
Utah State University strengthens Utah’s economy through high-quality education; research and innovation; institutional, student and visitor spending; and broad societal benefits.
USU Extension Launches E-Commerce Accelerator Program to Boost Rural Utah Small Businesses
Utah State University Extension’s Rural Online Initiative recently announced the launch of the E-Commerce Accelerator program designed to empower small businesses in rural Utah.
USU Expands Stackable Programs to Enhance Career Readiness, Support Rural Workforce Needs
Utah State University has announced the expansion of its stackable programs across its Statewide Campus system.