ACNP Programs in Utah (Online & Campus) – 2026
Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
As a graduate of one of the many fine ACNP programs in Virginia, you'll have a multitude of employment options at your fingertips! You'll have the knowledge base and the skills to work in intensive care units, emergency departments, surgical units, specialty ICUs, and long-term care facilities in urban and rural areas across the state. Jobs in this specialty area are projected to rise by 56 percent within the next 10 years. Annual salaries for acute care NPs in the Old Dominion State average $123,810. Learn more by reading through our list of the best ACNP programs in Virginia.
FOLLOWING ARE THE ACNP PROGRAMS IN UTAH (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the campus-based and online ACNP programs in Utah.)
1. University of Utah - Salt Lake City
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and Post-APRN Certificate
BSN-to-DNP Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-APRN Certificate Specialties Offered: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
The program admits students in the fall and takes eight semesters to complete. The hybrid learning format combines synchronous and asynchronous online learning, with some campus-based activities. The 74-credit curriculum includes classes such as Acute Care Pharmacology, Diagnosis & Management of Acute Care, Advanced Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, and Hospital Medicine. The program requires a minimum of 1,000 practicum hours and residency experiences, including 840 hours of direct patient care. The remaining practicum hours are earned through the creation, implementation, and dissemination of a DNP Scholarly Project.
BSN-to-DNP Admission Requirements: Admission to the BSN-to-DNP program at the University of Utah is selective. Applicants complete one application, which is reviewed by the University of Utah's Office of Graduate Admissions and the College of Nursing. When applying, you must show completion of a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from a regionally accredited college or university and a nationally accredited nursing school. You need an active, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse and at least one year of work experience in an acute care setting.
Additionally, you are required to complete an admission essay, provide three letters of recommendation, and official transcripts from all colleges or universities you attended. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Transcripts must also reflect completion of a statistics course with a grade of at least "B-." An upper-division Pathophysiology course taken within the last five years with a minimum grade of "B-" is required. If you have not taken the course, it will be added to your study plan.
Post-APRN Certificate Program Details: The Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program is another excellent option for nurses seeking the best online ACNP programs in Utah. The program is designed for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who are certified in one ANP area and who wish to expand their scope of practice and specialize as Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners.
The program admits new classes in the fall annually and takes an average of four semesters to complete. The program features a 28-credit curriculum. However, a GAP analysis will be conducted upon admission to determine if potential adjustments to the plan of study are required.
Post-APRN Certificate Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the Post-APRN Certificate program, you must have completed a graduate degree in nursing from a regionally accredited college or university and have a verified Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license in at least one jurisdiction covered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Candidates are required to submit a Certificate Application and provide a copy of a current resume, a copy of their APRN license, two letters of recommendation, and copies of all college transcripts. Transcripts should reflect a grade point average of at least 3.0.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• As a nurse educator, I have learned that one way to gauge the quality of a nursing program is to review its expected program and student outcomes against actual graduate outcomes. For instance, one of the published learning outcomes for the DNP program at the University of Utah is to "create, communicate, and evaluate person-centered care that is holistic, individualized, just, culturally aware, respectful, compassionate, coordinated, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate." The School of Nursing has gained a reputation for meeting that learning outcome, as evidenced by positive feedback from employers, affiliate partner sites, and program graduates. This reputation is one of many reasons the program offered is considered a top ACNP program in Utah.• I love nursing and am often amazed by the many avenues of academic and professional growth available to willing nurses. One of the things I find appealing about the University of Utah is that the School of Nursing supports continuous learning and offers new opportunities for nurses to fulfill their passion. For instance, potential students seeking an ACNP program will soon have the option to enroll in an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner or Dual Acute Care/Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner DNP program.
• Another factor to consider when choosing an ACNP program in Utah is how well students perform on national certification exams following graduation. According to the University of Utah's School of Nursing website, the school's combined national APRN certification pass rate is 99.5%! This nearly perfect pass rate is a great indicator of the program's quality and the level of preparation students receive.
• A crucial component of any nursing program is clinical practicums. As a nurse educator, I understand that it can be stressful worrying about where you will complete clinicals or who you can use as a preceptor. At the University of Utah, the DNP program guarantees clinical placement sites within the state for students. Additionally, students residing outside Utah in an eligible state will receive assistance from the Clinical Coordinator and Program Faculty, who collaborate to identify suitable sites and preceptors, ensuring exceptional clinical preparation.
• As a nurse educator who participated in student recruitment and retention, I learned how valuable distance-accessible education is to working professionals. If you are a prospective student considering the ACNP program at the University of Utah, you can complete the program through synchronous and asynchronous online classes, occasional campus visits, and clinical practicums completed in your home community. While the program is not entirely online, it is certainly a good option for potential students seeking a distance-accessible program.
• Simulated learning is an excellent way for students to practice essential skills and engage with faculty and peers. As a student in the ACNP program at the University of Utah, you will attend five campus-based simulations, which are set up in the school's state-of-the-art simulation center. Here, you will have access to cutting-edge technology, including high-fidelity manikins and equipment to help prepare you for clinical practicums and independent practice.
HOW MUCH DO ACNP GRADUATES MAKE IN UTAH?
WHAT STARTING SALARY CAN NEW GRADUATES OF ACNP PROGRAMS IN UTAH EXPECT?
| Hourly | $46.31 |
| Weekly | $1,853 |
| Monthly | $8,030 |
| Annual | $96,330 |
HOW MUCH CAN GRADUATES OF ACNP PROGRAMS IN UTAH EARN WITH EXPERIENCE?
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $46.31 | $1,853 | $8,030 | $96,330 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $52.40 | $2,096 | $9,080 | $108,990 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $61.86 | $2,474 | $10,720 | $128,660 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $68.88 | $2,755 | $11,940 | $143,280 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $82.32 | $3,293 | $14,270 | $171,220 |
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE ACNP SALARY IN UTAH?
| Hourly | $62.95 |
| Weekly | $2,518 |
| Monthly | $10,910 |
| Annual | $130,930 |
HOW MUCH DO ACNPS EARN IN THE VARIOUS METROS OF UTAH?
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Logan | $52.18 | $2,087 | $9,050 | $108,540 |
| Ogden-Clearfield | $61.94 | $2,478 | $10,740 | $128,840 |
| Provo-Orem | $61.66 | $2,466 | $10,690 | $128,250 |
| St. George | $61.39 | $2,456 | $10,640 | $127,690 |
| Salt Lake City | $64.89 | $2,596 | $11,250 | $134,980 |
ACNP SALARY IN UTAH VS. OTHER SALARIES
ACNP SALARY IN UTAH VS. ACNP SALARY IN THE NATION
| Average Utah ACNP Annual Salary | Average National ACNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $130,930 | $131,620 | -$690 | -0.52% |
ACNP SALARY IN UTAH VS. ACNP SALARIES IN OTHER STATES
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $165,480 | -$34,550 | -20.88% |
| Nevada | $152,290 | -$21,360 | -14.03% |
| Washington | $148,940 | -$18,010 | -12.09% |
| New Jersey | $148,560 | -$17,630 | -11.87% |
| Oregon | $148,480 | -$17,550 | -11.82% |
| Massachusetts | $147,520 | -$16,590 | -11.25% |
| New York | $146,310 | -$15,380 | -10.51% |
| Connecticut | $140,320 | -$9,390 | -6.69% |
| New Mexico | $140,100 | -$9,170 | -6.55% |
| Minnesota | $138,300 | -$7,370 | -5.33% |
| District of Columbia | $138,130 | -$7,200 | -5.21% |
| Rhode Island | $136,710 | -$5,780 | -4.23% |
| Hawaii | $135,840 | -$4,910 | -3.61% |
| Arizona | $135,790 | -$4,860 | -3.58% |
| Delaware | $134,300 | -$3,370 | -2.51% |
| Iowa | $134,010 | -$3,080 | -2.30% |
| New Hampshire | $133,920 | -$2,990 | -2.23% |
| Texas | $133,180 | -$2,250 | -1.69% |
| Wisconsin | $131,460 | -$530 | -0.40% |
| Maryland | $131,110 | -$180 | -0.14% |
| Utah | $130,930 | $0 | 0.00% |
| North Dakota | $130,870 | +$60 | +0.05% |
| Pennsylvania | $130,550 | +$380 | +0.29% |
| Illinois | $129,990 | +$940 | +0.72% |
| Alaska | $129,240 | +$1,690 | +1.31% |
| Vermont | $129,170 | +$1,760 | +1.36% |
| Montana | $127,680 | +$3,250 | +2.55% |
| Idaho | $127,580 | +$3,350 | +2.63% |
| Oklahoma | $127,360 | +$3,570 | +2.80% |
| Wyoming | $126,570 | +$4,360 | +3.44% |
| Indiana | $126,320 | +$4,610 | +3.65% |
| Maine | $125,930 | +$5,000 | +3.97% |
| Ohio | $125,860 | +$5,070 | +4.03% |
| Colorado | $124,960 | +$5,970 | +4.78% |
| Nebraska | $124,640 | +$6,290 | +5.05% |
| North Carolina | $124,550 | +$6,380 | +5.12% |
| Georgia | $124,100 | +$6,830 | +5.50% |
| South Dakota | $123,930 | +$7,000 | +5.65% |
| Virginia | $123,810 | +$7,120 | +5.75% |
| Michigan | $123,620 | +$7,310 | +5.91% |
| Florida | $122,630 | +$8,300 | +6.77% |
| Kansas | $122,180 | +$8,750 | +7.16% |
| Louisiana | $121,560 | +$9,370 | +7.71% |
| Mississippi | $120,350 | +$10,580 | +8.79% |
| South Carolina | $119,790 | +$11,140 | +9.30% |
| Missouri | $119,520 | +$11,410 | +9.55% |
| West Virginia | $116,210 | +$14,720 | +12.67% |
| Arkansas | $116,170 | +$14,760 | +12.71% |
| Kentucky | $113,060 | +$17,870 | +15.81% |
| Alabama | $112,700 | +$18,230 | +16.18% |
| Tennessee | $106,250 | +$24,680 | +23.23% |
ACNP SALARY IN UTAH VS. OTHER NURSE SALARIES IN UTAH
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Midwife | $133,930 | -$3,000 | -2.24% |
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $130,930 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $125,890 | +$5,040 | +4.00% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $92,580 | +$38,350 | +41.42% |
| Registered Nurse | $83,100 | +$47,830 | +57.56% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $57,430 | +$73,500 | +127.98% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,630 | +$93,300 | +247.94% |
ACNP SALARY IN UTAH VS. SALARIES OF OTHER CLOSELY RELATED OCCUPATIONS IN UTAH
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Podiatrist | $147,530 | -$16,600 | -11.25% |
| Dentist | $139,970 | -$9,040 | -6.46% |
| Optometrist | $139,280 | -$8,350 | -6.00% |
| Acute Care Nurse Practitioner | $130,930 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Pharmacist | $130,770 | +$160 | +0.12% |
| Veterinarian | $128,940 | +$1,990 | +1.54% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,460 | +$4,470 | +3.53% |
| Radiation Therapist | $103,970 | +$26,960 | +25.93% |
| Physical Therapist | $96,860 | +$34,070 | +35.17% |
| Audiologist | $86,380 | +$44,550 | +51.57% |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,750 | +$45,180 | +52.69% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,650 | +$47,280 | +56.52% |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,910 | +$52,020 | +65.92% |
| Chiropractor | $76,220 | +$54,710 | +71.78% |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Who Accredits ACNP Programs In Utah?
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
2. How Many Accredited ACNP Schools Are There In Utah?
| 1 |
3. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Hour In Utah?
| $62.95 |
4. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Week In Utah?
| $2,518 |
5. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Month In Utah?
| $10,910 |
6. On Average, How Much Does An Acute Care NP Make Per Year In Utah?
| $130,930 |
7. What Is The Job Outlook For ACNPs In Utah?
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2020-2030) |
| +60.33% |
Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and Allied Health educator with over twenty years of experience. She has assisted in developing curriculum for nursing programs and has instructed students at both community college and university levels. Because of her love of nursing education, Darby became a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach and assists nursing graduates across the United States who are preparing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
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