University of Utah

After early settlers came to the area, an ambitious vision took shape to establish an institution of higher learning that would leave an indelible mark on the western frontier. And on February 28, 1850, the first state university west off the Missouri River opened as the University of Deseret. Classes were held in private homes and tuition was $8 per quarter. In 1884, the university found its permanent home on the east benches of the Salt Lake Valley, and in 1892 it was renamed the University of Utah. This rich history of trailblazing spirit and growth has shaped our institution into the esteemed university it is today. The University of Utah acknowledges that its campus is built upon the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes. We recognize and respect the enduring relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. We respect the sovereign relationship between tribes, states, and the federal government, and we affirm the University of Utah's commitment to a partnership with Native Nations and Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.