At Utah Valley University, every student who walks through our doors has the chance to make an impact. With our open-admissions model, UVU is a place for everyone who wants to better themselves, whether by earning a certificate, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, or even a master’s degree.
UVU provides opportunities that impact graduates’ lives for years to come — but we believe it doesn’t end there. A UVU degree reaches far beyond the individual student as they positively impact their families, communities, and the state of Utah as a whole.
Here’s how we do that:
Earning a four-year degree at UVU is more affordable than any other university in Utah, and close to two-thirds of our students receive grants, scholarships, student loans, and other forms of financial aid. As a result, most UVU grads leave school with very little debt.
We know each student has different needs that require a personalized higher education experience. Any student can find tailored support at UVU, like a First-Year Advising Center for first-generation students or on-campus childcare services for student-parents. We also offer course flexibility, including online and hybrid classes, as well as an integrated studies program where students can combine diverse areas of study.
With engaged learning experiences like internships, faculty-mentored research, and projects with local businesses, UVU ensures students graduate with work-ready skills. Each year, thousands of our graduates land high-demand jobs in fields like engineering and healthcare. Others start their own businesses or join top-tier graduate programs.
UVU alums are equipped with the tools to create positive impact everywhere they go. They are the business leaders, nurses, teachers, engineers, and entrepreneurs driving Utah’s vibrant economy.
Learn more about the UVU alums impacting Utah communities in the following articles.
From First Year to First Job and Beyond
250+
Options for every
career goal
80
Certificate
Programs
59
Associate
Degrees
101
Bachelors
Degrees
18
Master's
Degrees
44
Online
Programs
More than 90% of whom are Utah residents
USHE International Data Resources, fall 2023
| Utah Valley University | $9,159 |
|---|---|
| Western Governors University | $9,805 |
| Utah Tech University | $11,244 |
| Weber State University | $11,968 |
| Brigham Young University | $13,322 |
| Utah State University | $13,634 |
| Southern Utah University | $14,284 |
| University of Utah | $14,773 |
UVU is nationally ranked as top college for entrepreneurs
Switch on Business, 2024
Diane Acevedo has always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but completing a Master of Business Administration degree at UVU helped her turn that spirit into career success.
“I was always intrigued by business and being able to create a community and provide for my family,” Diane said. “UVU has helped me really get out of my shell.”
Diane’s experience in UVU’s MBA Program led her from owning a small janitorial company to becoming senior vice president of operations and customer experience at Gabb Wireless, a Utah County-based company focused on safe technology solutions for children and families.
As a first-generation college student, Diane already found success at UVU, earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature. But when she considered her options for a more business-focused degree, UVU stayed at the top of her list.
“I chose UVU for my MBA because I was already a Wolverine,” she said. “My experience during my undergrad program allowed me to see how engaged learning worked on campus and how beneficial that would be.”
During her MBA, she worked on real-world projects that helped her discover her niche of using research, relationships, and analytic abilities to help businesses grow. One client was so impressed with her work that they hired her upon graduation.
When she later joined Gabb Wireless, she was one of the company’s first six employees. She now oversees five divisions with 160 employees.
“Diane is a consummate professional,” said Gabb Wireless Founding Partner Lance Black. “Her visionary leadership is unparalleled, and her sincere investment in individuals cultivates empowerment across the entire Gabb organization.”
“Education for me has been life-changing and altering,” Diane said. “If you are hungry enough and dedicated to do whatever it is that you’re passionate about, everyone surrounds you at UVU. I bleed green. I’m a Wolverine all the way.”
It can take time to figure out where you belong. For Utah County native William Ng, that meant trying several avenues — including a stint in a military reserve program — before finding a home at UVU. “I was never the academic type, so to be able to find my place here was unique,” William said.
Even after graduating with a double major in behavioral science and political science, William chose a different path: He now owns and operates a dessert shop in Provo called The Paleta Bar.
“I was able to continue that engaged theme that I found at UVU,” he said. “UVU was transformative.”
Sometimes, taking your time can be pretty sweet.
William Ng '14
Owner of the Paleta Bar
Kiana McAllister '20
University of Oxford Graduate Student
After starting her university experience in Hawaii, Kiana McAllister returned to her home state of Utah to save money — and just happened to meet her future husband. With a young family, completing a degree seemed impossible. But Kiana said UVU supported her through every obstacle.
With her talent and determination, she earned a spot in a study abroad program at the University of Oxford through UVU’s Center for Constitutional Studies. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she returned to Oxford for grad school. “It’s okay if your journey doesn’t look normal,” Kiana said. “UVU is a great place to be yourself.”
Entrepreneurship started early for Steve Sonnenberg. Before even graduating, he started his first company, WholesaleMatch, which quickly grew to a multimillion-dollar valuation. But after Steve graduated from UVU with a degree in computer science and grew his company to more than 200 employees, the business crashed. He had to start over.
Fortunately, UVU had prepared him to be resilient. “I am forever grateful for Utah Valley for teaching me how to do hard things,” he said. Steve’s current Utah County-based company, Awardco, has earned numerous recognitions for its explosive growth. In 2022, BusinessQ Magazine named Steve its Entrepreneur of the Year.
Steve Sonnenberg '06
Awardco Founder and CEO
“Clyde Companies values the educational caliber and work ethic of our UVU graduates. They come to our companies with exceptional preparation and real-world experience.”
— Jeremy Hafen, President and CEO of Clyde Companies
Projections indicate more than 1,000 new engineering jobs will be created in Utah this decade. With 73% of UVU students graduating with degrees related to high-yield, high-demand jobs* and the new Scott M. Smith Engineering Building set to open in 2025, UVU is at the forefront of training tomorrow’s engineers.
*OCHE Data Governance and Analytics, 2023
Utah County is projected to gain close to 1 million new residents over the next 40 years, and UVU is poised to meet these needs with its first comprehensive fundraising campaign, EverGREEN.
With an ambitious goal to raise $350 million for UVU by 2026, EverGREEN aims to impact the community by funding student scholarships, state-of-the-art learning spaces, and new and emerging degrees that prepare students for tomorrow’s jobs. UVU’s goal is to create more success stories like the ones highlighted here by providing students with personalized educational opportunities, enriching learning environments, and accelerated paths to achieve their goals.
EverGREEN is an invitation to communities, industry, and organizations.
Want to impact the life of a UVU student who, in turn, will impact our community and beyond? Visit uvu.edu/evergreen to learn more.
A UVU alum is any student who earned a diploma, certificate, associate degree, bachelors's degree, or master's degree from Utah Valley University or any of its pervious names (CUVS, UTTI, UTC, UVCC, UVSC, or UVU) since 1941.
Get involved at uvu.edu/alumni
