Utah State University

History

Background and founding (1862–1890)

The Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1862, created a system of publicly funded institutions devoted to agriculture and the mechanical arts. Utah leaders viewed the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act as an opportunity to advance scientific and agricultural education within the territory, aligning with a broader national movement toward practical, research-based instruction in the mechanical arts.{{cite journal |last=Fiege |first=Mark |title=Review of Irrigated Eden: The Making of an Agricultural Landscape in the American West |journal=Journal of Mormon History |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=260–262 |date=2001 |publisher=Mormon History Association |url=https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/mormonhistory/vol27/iss2/ |access-date=6 November 2025}} Following a visit to Denmark, territorial legislator Anthon H. Lund advocated for an agricultural college modeled after European land-grant institutions.

After a period of political debate in which Salt Lake City retained the territorial university, citizens of Logan successfully lobbied the legislature to locate the agricultural college in Cache Valley.{{cite web |last=Peterson |first=F. Ross |title=Utah State University |url=https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/u/UTAH_STATE_UNIVERSITY.shtml

Growth and curricular controversies (1890–1916)

The new college was chartered to provide instruction in “agriculture, domestic science, and the mechanic arts.” Early expansion under President William J. Kerr drew opposition from some legislators who feared competition with the University of Utah. Efforts in 1907 sought to consolidate the two institutions, resulting in a compromise that restricted the Agricultural College’s curriculum to agriculture, domestic science, and mechanical arts. The legislature gradually lifted these restrictions, and by the 1920s the college had regained broad academic autonomy.{{cite web |last=Peterson |first=F. Ross |title=Utah State University |url=https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/u/UTAH_STATE_UNIVERSITY.shtml

Expansion and wartime contributions (1914–1945)

The college launched its statewide Extension Service in 1914 and awarded its first master’s degrees the following year. During World War I, Utah Agricultural College became a training site for the Student Army Training Corps, which prepared students for military service while continuing their studies.

Under President Elmer George Peterson, the college expanded significantly, and its Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program achieved national prominence — earning the nickname “West Point of the West.”{{cite journal |access-date=6 November 2025

During World War II, Utah State hosted one of six United States Navy Primary Schools for the Electronics Training Program, graduating more than 2,700 Navy students between 1942 and 1944. Utah State’s technical and military training programs during World War II helped position the university for later federal research partnerships in electronics and defense, relationships that eventually led to the establishment of the Space Dynamics Laboratory.{{cite book

Post-war growth and university status (1946–1970s)

After the war, enrollment surged with returning veterans supported by the GI Bill. The college expanded academic offerings, established new schools, and modernized its campus infrastructure. In 1957, the institution was renamed Utah State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, soon shortened to Utah State University.

The university’s research enterprise grew rapidly, and its influence spread statewide through satellite campuses and extension programs, reflecting the broader modernization of Utah’s economy and education in the twentieth century. During the late 1970s, Utah State University enrolled one of the nation’s largest groups of Iranian students, reflecting decades of educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Iran.

Modernization and expansion (1980–2000)

By the late 20th century, Utah State sought to broaden its national reach beyond its regional mission. Under President George H. Emert (1992–2000), the university’s endowment grew from $7 million to $80 million, and research funding reached new highs. During this period, USU strengthened its statewide distance education system and began transitioning to digital research and online learning technologies.

Twenty-first century and present day (2000–present)

Under President Stan L. Albrecht, Utah State expanded its research partnerships and global collaborations, including initiatives in China, Saudi Arabia, and Peru. The Merrill-Cazier Library opened in 2005, followed by several new research and classroom facilities. In 2010, USU acquired both the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter near Park City and the College of Eastern Utah, extending its statewide reach. In 2012, USU concluded a $400 million fundraising campaign—the largest in its history.

From 2017 to 2023, President Noelle E. Cockett became USU’s first female president, expanding statewide programs and research capacity while addressing campus safety and inclusion. She was succeeded by Elizabeth R. Cantwell (2023–2025), whose tenure was marked by fiscal and administrative controversy prior to her departure to lead Washington State University.

Following an interim term under Alan L. Smith, the Utah Board of Higher Education appointed Brad L. Mortensen, former president of Weber State University, as Utah State’s 18th president on October 30, 2025. Mortensen’s administration, beginning November 10, 2025, has emphasized fiscal accountability, academic restructuring, and statewide access initiatives.

Campus and locations

Utah State University operates a system of campuses throughout Utah, with Utah State Extension offices in all 29 counties.

Utah State also owns, manages, or operates within several agricultural, equestrian, botanical, and ecological sites across Utah, including the Bastian Agricultural Center (South Jordan),{{cite news |access-date=6 September 2024

Affiliated centers and field sites

• Bastian Agricultural Center (South Jordan). Equestrian, agricultural education, and event facilities.
• USU Botanical Center (Kaysville) and Ogden Botanical Gardens (Ogden). Teaching gardens, wetlands, and outreach sites.
• Sam Skaggs Family Equine Education Center (Wellsville). Instructional and research facilities for equine sciences.
• Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter (Park City). A 1200 acre land trust and a 10000 sqft education center focused on wetlands, wildlife, and sustainability; LEED Platinum certified.

The earliest roots of USU's distance education go back to 1904, when USU professors traveled by train from Logan to Burley, Idaho to deliver dairy lectures. In the 1950s, professors regularly drove around the state to teach courses and advise students. The first Statewide Campus, Uintah Basin, was designated by the Utah State Legislature in 1967. The following year, "flying professors" traveled weekly to teach at USU's various campuses and centers. Traveling from the centers was necessary until Utah State installed satellite systems in 1996. In 2005, University President Stan Albrecht moved Utah State University's Continuing Education unit to the Provost's Office and established the USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education organization. The system grew in 2010 with the addition of USU Eastern to nearly one-half of USU's enrollment. Today, the USU system includes USU Blanding, USU Eastern and 28 additional statewide campuses. In 2012, RCDE completed construction of the Regional Campuses Distance Education (RCDE) Building which houses broadcast classrooms, RCDE offices, and the Utah Education Network.

Utah State University has conducted studies and proposed long-term development master plans to the state of Utah, which have been approved in concept to create residential and research campuses at each of its additional campuses throughout the State.

Logan campus

Utah State University's main academic, research, residential, and innovation campus is located in Logan, Utah, spanning 600 acres at the mouth of Logan Canyon. The campus sits on a "bench," a shelf-like foothill overlooking Cache Valley to the west, with Mount Logan and the Bear River Range rising sharply to the east.

The campus is home to more than 100 buildings. Key facilities include Maverik Stadium, the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum,{{cite web |access-date=5 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322050130/https://nowplayingutah.com/venue/dee-glen-smith-spectrum/ |archive-date=22 March 2024 |url-status=live}} Old Main (the university's first building), the Merrill-Cazier Library (305,000 square feet), and the Manon Caine Russell-Kathryn Caine Wanlass Performance Hall.

The Logan City Cemetery divides much of the campus, with the main academic buildings to the south and the innovation and research facilities to the north. The campus also includes residential, recreational, and athletic buildings. To the west and north are located the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum and Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium.

Recreation and wellness facilities

Students have full access to the HPER (pronounced "hyper"), Nelson Fieldhouse, and the 117,000-sq-ft ARC (Aggie Recreation Center) exercise facilities, which include basketball courts, indoor rock climbing, gymnastics equipment, two swimming pools, racquetball, squash, and outdoor field space for lacrosse, rugby, soccer, ultimate, and other sports.

Arboretum and natural surroundings

With more than 30 of Utah's largest tree species and more than 7,000 trees, Utah State University's Logan campus has earned international recognition as an arboretum, accredited by ArbNet.

Outdoor recreation and campus surroundings

USU's main campus in Logan, Utah, and the city of Logan have received several accolades, including being named the "Best College Town" for the 2019–2020 school year and "Most Beautiful Campus in Utah."{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250322223410/https://www.travelandleisure.com/most-beautiful-college-campuses-8641609 |archive-date=22 March 2025 |access-date=5 November 2025

Directly adjacent to the campus are Logan Canyon and the Cache National Forest, which provide opportunities for hiking, camping, and skiing. Logan Canyon also serves as the main route to Beaver Mountain Ski Resort and Bear Lake, both of which are popular among students for winter sports and summer activities. Students often visit these nearby areas for recreational activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and skiing. The USU Outdoor Recreation Program supports these activities by renting equipment for camping, water sports, mountain sports, and winter sports, as well as providing trail maps and local expertise.

Several notable sites are located on or near campus property. First Dam, a small research reservoir situated at the mouth of Logan Canyon, is a popular spot for paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing. The Logan Country Club, adjacent to the campus, is home to the university's men's golf team. Additionally, the Utah Water Research Laboratory is a key research facility near Logan Canyon.

In the broader region, students have access to other ski resorts, such as Powder Mountain and Cherry Peak Resort, as well as local golf courses, lakes, and reservoirs, including Hyrum Reservoir at Hyrum State Park. Many students take advantage of Utah's YETI ski pass, which allows limited access to all of Utah's ski resorts. Weekend getaways to Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, and Lava Hot Springs are also popular due to their proximity to Logan.

Statewide campuses and USU Eastern

Main article: USU-Brigham City, USU-Tooele, USU-Uintah Basin

Regional Campuses and Distance Education (RCDE) work to fulfill USU's land-grant mission to increase access to high-quality education throughout Utah.

Logan is one of many cities and towns hosting a statewide campus for the university. Statewide campuses are located in Beaver, Bicknell, Blanding, Brigham City, Castle Dale, Cedar City, Delta, Ephraim, Heber City, Junction, Kanab, Kaysville, Logan, Moab, Montezuma Creek, Monticello, Monument Valley, Nephi, Orem, Panguitch, Park City, Price, Richfield, Roosevelt, Salt Lake City, St. George, Tooele, Tremonton, Vernal, and Wendover. Students may receive a wide selection of degrees at each location without visiting the Logan campus. Courses and degrees are also made available online through Distance Education.

Utah State University Eastern

Main article: Utah State University Eastern

Located in Price, Utah, the former College of Eastern Utah joined the USU system in 2010 and became Utah State University College of Eastern Utah (USU Eastern). In 2013, the official name was shortened to Utah State University Eastern. USU Eastern operates a satellite campus, known as the Blanding campus, in Blanding, Utah. Before the acquisition, USU taught courses at the Blanding Education Center on the College of Eastern Utah Campus through Regional Campuses and Distance Education (RCDE). USU Eastern is a junior college and offers associate degrees, certificates, and vocational programs. Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral courses, however, are available on-site through RCDE. USU Eastern competes as the Eastern Utah Golden Eagles and is the only campus besides Logan with an athletics program.

The USU-Moab campus opened on April 1, 2022. The City of Moab committed up to $75,000 per year, from 2012 to 2021, to promote the development of the campus. Degrees specific to the community's needs, including social work and recreation resource management, were planned and now provided on the new campus. Since its opening, USU has had a growing presence in Moab, showing a 15.8% growth in enrollment from 2022 to 2023.

Cooperative Extension

Started in 1914, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, referred to simply as Extension, provides research-based, unbiased information to communities through its county offices and is an integral part of a land-grant institution. Extension operates 30 offices throughout the state, which include the Bastian Agricultural Center (South Jordan), the Ogden Botanical Gardens (Ogden), Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter,Thanksgiving Point (Lehi), and the Utah Botanical Center (Kaysville). With a focus on teaching, research, and public service, Extension programs include 4-H, agribusiness, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education, gardening and yard care, personal finance, and animal health.

Sustainability

Utah State University (USU) integrates sustainability into campus operations, academics, and statewide outreach through the Office of Sustainability, which was elevated under the Office of the President in 2023 to strengthen institution-wide coordination and embed sustainability into university policy and culture. The university signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007, pledging carbon neutrality by 2050; the Faculty Senate advanced that goal to 2040 in 2023.

Energy and decarbonization

The Decarbonization Master Plan (2022) establishes a roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions on the Logan campus by 2040. It outlines four complementary strategies: (1) deep energy-efficiency retrofits and controls optimization, (2) electrification of space and domestic water heating systems, (3) procurement of low- or zero-carbon electricity through on-site generation and power-purchase agreements, and (4) lifecycle carbon analysis for all new construction.

The plan recommends converting the campus’s central steam system to low-temperature hydronic heating, installing domestic-water heat pumps in 75 buildings, and expanding solar generation to 8.4 MW by 2040. As of FY 2024, USU issued a request for proposals for 3 MW of distributed solar co-located with battery storage, expected to reduce emissions by about 2,900 metric tons CO₂e annually. Energy performance and emissions are tracked through a public Power BI Energy Management Dashboard, supplemented by GRITS for project-level transparency.

According to the FY 2023 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, USU’s total emissions were 106,126 metric tons CO₂e, a 3 percent decline from 2008 despite significant campus growth.

Renewable energy and clean power

USU collaborates with Logan City Power, whose goal of obtaining 50 percent renewable electricity by 2030 is projected to reduce campus emissions by about 4 percent. The university’s distributed-solar strategy supplements this with on-site arrays and battery systems. Statewide decarbonization planning is underway for all USU campuses, which collectively account for about 11 percent of total university energy use.

Sustainable buildings and infrastructure

USU’s Policy 5310 – Energy Conservation mandates that all new construction meet LEED Silver or higher standards. As of 2025, the university operates 22 LEED-certified buildings emphasizing energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and water conservation. New design guidelines require “solar-ready” roofs and low-embodied-carbon materials, consistent with lifecycle carbon accounting principles established in the Decarbonization Master Plan.

Water conservation and landscape resilience

The Landscape Resiliency and Drought Plan (2020) and Stormwater Management Plan (2020) designate USU as a model for institutional water stewardship. Initiatives include drought-tolerant plantings, irrigation audits, bioswales, and stormwater capture systems across the Logan campus. Irrigation is managed via a weather-responsive central control system that draws primarily from the Cache Highline Water Association canal, achieving substantial efficiency gains over previous baselines. USU Extension’s Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) extends these practices statewide through workshops, design research, and the Water Check residential efficiency program.

Food systems and permaculture

The Permaculture Initiative and Food Forest Program convert underused campus areas into educational landscapes for regenerative agriculture. The Permaculture Impacts 2024 report documents measurable gains in soil carbon, pollinator habitat, and student participation through garden labs, workshops, and design courses, aligning with USU’s land-grant outreach mission.

Transportation and mobility

The Innovation Campus District Plan (2017) introduced electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, carpool and transit pickup zones, and expanded Aggie Shuttle and Cache Valley Transit District service routes to support active commuting. By 2023, USU had replaced part of its fleet with compressed-natural-gas Aggie Shuttles and launched an EV integration study. The university also partners with Logan’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Aggie Blue Bikes to promote low-emission commuting and alternative transportation.

Tracking, engagement, and statewide impact

USU allocates about US$800,000 per year to energy-efficiency projects and is developing a green revolving fund to reinvest savings across its statewide campuses. Progress is tracked through the Office of Sustainability’s public “How We’re Doing” dashboard and annual greenhouse-gas inventories, while competitions such as Energy Wars engage students and departments in reducing energy use.

The Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water & Air (ILWA) coordinates interdisciplinary research on Utah’s climate, renewable energy, and environmental resilience. Each year, ILWA submits reports to the Utah Legislature detailing university-led findings on air quality, drought response, clean-energy development, and long-term natural resource trends.

Governance and administration

Legal status and system affiliation

Utah State University (USU) is a public land-grant research university within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE). The institution operates under the supervision of the Utah Board of Higher Education, which sets statewide policy, approves presidential appointments, and oversees budgetary and strategic priorities for Utah’s public colleges and universities.

Governing boards

USU’s local governing body is the Board of Trustees, which provides institutional oversight, approves significant policies and transactions, conducts presidential evaluations, and advises the statewide board on campus matters. Trustees include the university president, appointed members representing the state and community, and ex officio participants as defined by state policy.

Executive leadership

The university is led by a president appointed by the Utah Board of Higher Education. On October 30, 2025, the board named Brad L. Mortensen the 18th president of Utah State University; he began his tenure on November 10, 2025. Day-to-day academic administration is headed by the provost and executive vice president, who oversees the deans of the colleges and schools, graduate education, and statewide academic operations.

Organizational structure

Utah State University is organized into academic colleges and schools that offer undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. In 2025, the university announced plans to merge five existing colleges into two new colleges as part of a strategic reinvestment plan required under Utah House Bill 265. The proposal combines the Caine College of the Arts, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the College of Science into a new college aligned with national arts and sciences models, to be led by Dean Joe Ward, current dean of CHaSS. A second merger will join the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources with the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. According to Interim President Alan Smith, these mergers aim to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and academic efficiency.

In addition to these merged units, the university continues to operate the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, and the College of Engineering.

In keeping with its land-grant mission, USU also administers a statewide system of regional campuses, centers, and online programs in coordination with the Office of Statewide Campuses and USU Extension.

Finance

USU’s operating budget totaled approximately $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2024, reflecting a mix of state appropriations, tuition and fees, research grants and contracts, auxiliaries, and philanthropic support. The university’s endowment was valued at approximately $614.9 million as of June 30, 2024, according to NACUBO's annual survey.As of June 30, 2024. {{cite web |access-date=17 February 2025

Accreditation and affiliations

USU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The university participates in national consortia and programs aligned with its research and outreach mission, including Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), and the Space Grant network, among others.

Academics

Utah State University offers more than 270 degree programs across its main campus in Logan and statewide campuses. As of fall 2024, total enrollment was 28,900 students, including 25,702 undergraduates and 3,198 graduate students. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and maintains a 19-to-1 student–faculty ratio, with nearly half of its classes enrolling fewer than 20 students.

USU’s academic programs span liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, education, and agriculture. Students can pursue 137 undergraduate, 95 master’s, and 39 doctoral programs, along with extensive opportunities for study abroad in more than 90 countries.

Academic organization

Utah State’s academic enterprise is structured into ten colleges and schools that support both teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines. These academic units are listed below in detail under Colleges and schools.

Degree programs

The university awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees as well as professional credentials and certificates. It also operates statewide campuses that deliver hybrid and online programs, making Utah State one of the state’s leaders in distance education.

Accreditation and affiliations

Utah State University has maintained continuous accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1924. Several of its academic programs hold specialized accreditations, including those from the American Psychological Association, the ABET, and the NCATE.

Colleges and schools

Main article: List of Utah State University colleges and schools

As of 1 July 2025, Utah State University is organized into seven academic colleges and schools, plus the Graduate School, that collectively oversee the university’s teaching, research, and statewide outreach missions. This structure reflects USU’s land-grant heritage and continuing strengths in agriculture and natural resources, arts & sciences, education, engineering, and business.

Historical development

In 1903, the Agricultural College of Utah (now Utah State University) organized six schools: Agriculture, Military Science, Agricultural Engineering and Mechanical Arts, Home Economics, General Science, and Commerce. By 1923, the institution had expanded to seven academic colleges—Agriculture, Home Economics, Military Science, Agricultural Engineering, Commerce and Business Administration, Mechanic Arts, and General Science. A School of Education was created in 1924, and the School of General Science was reorganized into the School of Basic Arts and Sciences.

Recent restructuring (2025)

In April 2025, USU announced a major academic reorganization in response to state-mandated budget reductions and Utah House Bill 265. The plan merged five existing colleges into two new colleges and reduced administrative overhead, with program adjustments to follow. USU confirms the new colleges became official on 1 July 2025, with Joe Ward named dean of Arts & Sciences and Grant Cordon serving as interim dean of Agriculture & Natural Resources. Implementation of the new structure took effect 1 July 2025, and the reorganized colleges are reflected below.

College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts & Sciences integrates programs from the former Caine College of the Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHaSS), and College of Science, aligning with “Letters and Science” models at peer institutions. It comprises divisions for (a) the humanities, social sciences, and communication; (b) the natural, physical, and mathematical sciences; and (c) the School of the Arts (continuation of the Caine College as an embedded unit).

The college hosts Western American Literature and Western Historical Quarterly, official journals of the Western Literature Association and Western History Association, respectively. It also includes the USU Museum of Anthropology in Old Main.

S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Created by merging the former College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences (CAAS) with the Quinney College of Natural Resources (QCNR), the college advances land-grant missions in agricultural production, food systems, natural resources stewardship, ecology, and environmental science.

College of Engineering

The College of Engineering grants undergraduate degrees in six engineering disciplines—biological, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical—and graduate degrees in aerospace, composites/structures, space systems, and engineering education. The college has close ties to the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), which employs about 130 students on technical projects.

Research facilities and outreach in the college include the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL), the nation's oldest and largest academic water research facility. The college also sponsors an annual trebuchet pumpkin-toss and Engineers Without Borders chapter activities.

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Main article: Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

USU’s Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (founded 1924) enrolls approximately 5,700 students and offers nationally recognized programs in psychology, special education, human development and family studies, communicative disorders and deaf education, kinesiology, and rehabilitation. The college includes the APA-accredited Department of Psychology and the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM). The college also houses the USU Family Life Center which provides housing and financial counseling and includes a marriage and family therapy clinic.

Jon M. Huntsman School of Business

Main article: Jon M. Huntsman School of Business

Founded in 1889 (renamed 2007 after a $26M gift from Jon Huntsman Sr.), the Huntsman School is the oldest continuously operating business college in the Western U.S. and the first in Utah. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in management, accounting, economics, finance, and management information systems (MIS), among others, and houses the Shingo Institute (home of the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence).

College of Veterinary Medicine

Established in 2022 as Utah’s first four-year veterinary college (building on the prior WIMU regional partnership with Washington State University), the college offers the DVM and allied veterinary programs.

School of Graduate Studies

Established in 1950, the School of Graduate Studies coordinates USU’s master’s and doctoral programs, graduate policies, and assistantships across all colleges.

Notes on legacy colleges (pre-2025)

Prior to July 1, 2025, USU’s colleges included the Caine College of the Arts, the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, the College of Science, the College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences, and the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources as separate entities. Historical information, departmental rosters, facilities, centers, and notable achievements from those legacy units are preserved within the relevant merged subsections above.

Research

Utah State University is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". USU was 83rd in the nation for total research and development expenditures with $344.9 million in 2022.

Utah State has more than 50 research institutes and centers. Notable research centers based at USU include the Space Dynamics Laboratory, Bingham Energy Research Center, Center for Integrated BioSystems, Center for Growth and Opportunity, Center for Anticipatory Intelligence, Energy Dynamics Laboratory, The Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Center for High Performance Computing, Ecology Center, Utah Climate Center, Center for Advanced Nutrition, Thanksgiving Point, Center for the School of the Future, National Aquatic Monitoring Center, Ogden Botanical Center, Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, Intermountain Center for River Rehabilitation and Restoration, Bastian Agricultural Center (South Jordan), Mountain West Center for Regional Studies, National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management, The Shingo Institute, Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air, and Utah Botanical Center.

, Utah State University has placed more student experiments into space than any educational institution worldwide. [[File:Basementbarn.jpg|thumb|Merrill-Cazier Library's "Borrower's Automated Retrieval Network" (BARN) as viewed from the basement|left]]In 2024, Utah State became a member of the U.S. Space Command Academic Engagement Enterprise.

Space Dynamics Laboratory

Main article: Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), a contractor owned by Utah State, is one of 15 University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) of the United States Department of Defense and is the only UARC for the Missile Defense Agency and Space Force. As of 2018, SDL has conducted more than 430 successful space missions and deployed more than 500 hardware and software systems.

Some of SDL's projects include:

• WISE
• SABER
• SOFIE
• ICON
• OSIRIS-REx

In 2021, Utah State received a $1 billion contract for aerospace research, including "space and nuclear advanced prototypes, experiments and technology," from the Air Force Research Laboratory, the largest contract ever awarded by AFRL.

In partnership with SDL, Utah State has placed more experiments into space than any institution of higher learning in the world.

GASPACS

Main article: GASPACS

GASPACS (Get Away Special Passive Attitude Control Satellite) was a NASA-sponsored 1U CubeSat developed entirely by undergraduate members of Utah State University's Get Away Special (GAS) team. The primary mission objective of GASPACS was to deploy a 1-meter inflatable aerodynamic boom to passively stabilize its attitude. GASPACS was the world's first CubeSat to be developed entirely by undergraduate students, and was also the world's first CubeSat to utilize a Raspberry Pi Zero as its flight computer.

USTAR

Undergraduate research

USU's undergraduate research program was founded in 1975, making it the second program of its kind in the nation (after MIT). In 2021, it was named the "Best Undergraduate Research Program in the Nation" by the Council on Undergraduate Research.

Animal and veterinary sciences

Since 2022, Utah State has been home to the only college of veterinary medicine operating in Utah.

A team of USU and University of Idaho researchers were the first in the world to successfully clone an equine. The baby mule, named Idaho Gem, was born 4 May 2003.

USU researchers made headlines in 2011 after breeding transgenic goats. Utah State University professor Randy Lewis' "spider goats," the milk of which contains spider silk, are being studied for uses including human muscle tissue and light-weight bulletproof vests.

Research farms

Utah State owns and operates 14 separate research farms as well as several equestrian, agricultural, ecological, and botanical centers located throughout the state.

Open Courseware

Utah State University promotes the OpenCourseWare (OCW) Project (open and free university courses) and developed an open content management system for OCW called eduCommons. This open source content management system is one of the technology projects in the MIT OpenCourseWare Initiative. eduCommons has been adopted by several universities to create OCW sites.

Rankings and reputation

In 2021, Utah State was recognized by the Council on Undergraduate Research for excellence in undergraduate research programs.

Most recently, in 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Utah State 54th among 438 national universities and the 8th-best public university in the nation, based on contribution to the public good (social mobility, research, public service).

In 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked USU 32nd nationally for "Best Online Bachelor's Programs" out of 360+ reviewed institutions.

Forbes ranked the university No. 140 in Public Colleges, No. 177 in Research Universities, and No. 74 in the West (2023).

Admissions

In fall 2022, Utah State received 16,069 applications for first-time freshman enrollment, of which 15,061 (93.7%) were accepted, and 4,625 freshmen enrolled, yielding a yield rate of 30.7%. The freshman retention rate is 74.5%, with 52.5% graduating within six years. (among 13.6% of FTFs) (among 80.0% of FTFs)

Student life and culture

Campus housing and dining

Utah State University is Utah's oldest and largest public residential campus. About 84% of Aggies live away from home.

Twenty-one widely varying on-campus buildings house single students, and 39 buildings on the north side of campus are available for married housing. Many more students live in the multitude of off-campus housing options nearby. “Students on campus may dine in on-campus venues such as The Marketplace and The Junction dining halls, the Forum Café at Merrill-Cazier Library, as well as the full-service Skyroom restaurant and The Hub food court with multiple dining options.”{{cite web |title=Locations & Hours for All Locations – Dining Services |url=https://www.usu.edu/dining/locations/ |access-date=6 November 2025}} On the east edge of campus sits Aggie Ice Cream, a popular local destination that has been producing ice cream, cheese products, sandwiches, and soups since 1888.

Since its founding in 1888, USU has had a creamery, with its first location in Old Main. Students studying dairying and domestic arts applied to learn how to make both ice cream and cheeses. In 1921, Gustav Wilster began working with the College of Agriculture. By 1922, students studied dairy technology, fluid milk processing, ice cream manufacture, dairy engineering, cheese manufacture, butter making, dairy facility inspection, and dairy product judging. Wilster's students would go on to create Casper's Ice Cream, Farr's Ice Cream, and Snelgrove's Ice Cream. In 1975, the Nutrition and Food Sciences building was built, where Aggie Ice Cream is housed today; a second location opened in USU's Blue Square student housing in 2023.

Along with Aggie Ice Cream, USU owns and operates its chocolate factory, The Aggie Chocolate Factory, through the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. The Aggie Chocolate Factory has shops on both the academic and residential campuses in Logan and the athletic stadiums. During the winter, the Aggie Chocolate Factory will also sell its own-made hot cocoa; during hot days, they will sell "Frozen As"—a "tongue-in-cheek" iced cocoa drink popular with students and fans.

Clubs, organizations, and Greek life

USU students are also involved in more than 200 clubs, an active and influential student government, seven fraternities and three sororities, multiple intramural and club sports, and a student-run radio station.

Student government and advocacy

The Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) represents the university's student body. USUSA is composed of 17 elected student officers and five appointed student officers.{{cite web |access-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907000000/https://www.usu.edu/involvement/student-association/officers |archive-date=7 September 2011 |url-status=live These officers typically oversee a specific area of responsibility outlined in each officer's charter. The duties of USUSA officers can range from managing campus events and activities to promoting and advocating for particular initiatives at the Utah State Legislature. In February of each school year, students who wish to serve in the following year's USUSA begin launching campaigns for office. Campaigns last one week and consist of a primary and a general election in which the top two vote-getters from the primary advance to the general election, and the candidate who receives a majority of the vote in the general election is declared the winner.

The USUSA received significant attention during the 2016–2017 school year when the organization declared a mental health crisis at Utah State University. The legislation (written by USUSA Student Body President Ashley Waddoups, USUSA Student Advocate Vice President Matthew Clewett, and USUSA Graduate Studies Senator Ty Aller) sought to raise awareness of significant wait times for students to utilize CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) at Utah State as well as the increasing number of students who were suffering from mental health-related illnesses. After a successful lobbying campaign, the USUSA was able to influence the Utah State Legislature to pass a resolution declaring a mental health crisis at all Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) institutions. The resolution was subsequently signed by Utah Governor Gary Herbert in March 2017.

Service and volunteer programs

In 1970, Utah State student Sue Brown and Director of Student Activities Val R. Christensen created one of the first service organizations in the nation. VOICE, Volunteer Organization for Involvement in the Community and Environment, worked to improve the environment and social issues in Cache Valley. VOICE became The Val R. Christensen Service Center in 1999 in honor of Dr. Christensen's efforts and support of the organization. Today, students are involved in more than 20 service organizations including Aggie Special Olympics, Aggies for Africa, Alternative Breaks, and Senior University.

ROTC and military traditions

Given USU's history and traditions as a land-grant school with an original charter for, in part, military sciences, Utah State supports a robust ROTC program for the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. ROTC members wear uniforms or field attire as the color guard at home athletic events. Members of the ROTC are also present on the field and in the stadium at every home football game. Wearing field attire, members of the ROTC perform pushups and fire a 75mm howitzer cannon at the initial kickoff and each time after the Aggies score points. ROTC members also fire the cannon at the end of the game after every home team victory. Utah State ROTC cadet activity and presence both on and off the field is especially present at events surrounding Veteran's Day and during athletic events when the Aggies compete against fellow Mountain West Conference rivals, the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons. During certain home and away games, USU's mascot, Big Blue, will also don military field attire. Utah State's ROTC cadets also participate in other opportunities and events both on and off campus, including at the annual USU homecoming parade in Logan.

Campus traditions and spirit

Well-known student traditions include the rite of passage of becoming a True Aggie, which requires a student to kiss someone who is already a True Aggie on top of the Block "A." Two students may also become True Aggies together on Homecoming night or A-Day. In 2011, USU broke the record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most couples kissing at the same place at the same time. Nearby the Block "A" is the lighted "A" atop the Old Main tower, which shines white throughout the entire valley and blue on nights when a varsity sport has picked up a victory, or other special events have occurred on campus.

Big Blue and mascot culture

USU's Big Blue mascot is visible at home and away games, as well as in greater Logan and Utah communities. Nowadays, Big Blue is almost always seen as an athletic, acrobatic member and leader of the Spirit Squad, in costume, performing dance moves and stunts to the delight of USU fans. Historically, Big Blue was a real-life white rodeo-trained bull dusted in animal-safe and animal-friendly blue color chalk. However, when the new Spectrum was built, concerns about real-life bull scuffing up the basketball court led to the student version of the mascot becoming the more visible, public avatar of Big Blue. Big Blue will most always perform dance and acrobatic feats with the Spirit Squad and at home athletic events in the stadiums. At home football games, the student version of Big Blue leads the Aggie Football team onto the field between twin pillars of fire while riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Around Veterans Day and when USU competes against the Air Force Academy, Big Blue will also wear military field attire. Big Blue is a local celebrity, and student performers often take photos and sign autographs for fans. Tryouts are held for the role; once selected, the student’s identity is kept confidential until a formal “de-masking.”

Music, chants, and celebrations

Utah State has a history of various traditions, including its two fight songs (“Hail the Utah Aggies” and “The Scotsman”) and a range of chants, such as “I Believe.” The Scotsman is particularly notable for the unified standing and hand motions performed by students and fans. Other traditions and events for students are sponsored by USU, the HURD, and the Student Association and held throughout the year and include Homecoming and "The Howl," the latter being the largest publicly sponsored Halloween celebration in the state of Utah for USU students and their friends attending other schools. Other annual student events include the Luminary Processional, which welcomes new students each fall, and The End of Year Bash, a concert on campus that culminates at the end of the academic year each April.

Athletics

Main article: Utah State Aggies

Utah State University supports organized athletics within the varsity intercollegiate, club intercollegiate, and intramural categories. Since its founding in 1888, USU programs and athletes have won six individual national championships.

Varsity athletics

USU competes in the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference (MWC), which it joined in 2013. Aggie teams have won 37 conference championships and three national collegiate titles (women’s volleyball; softball twice). Golfer Jay Don Blake won the 1980 NCAA individual championship and was NCAA Player of the Year in 1981. USU lists 90 All-Americans who have earned 134 All-America honors.

; Varsity sports

• Men: football; basketball; cross country; golf; tennis; track & field (indoor and outdoor).
• Women: basketball; cross country; gymnastics; soccer; softball; tennis; track & field (indoor and outdoor); volleyball.

The men's basketball team plays in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, long regarded as one of college basketball’s toughest venues. USU’s student section, The HURD, has also drawn national attention. During 2008–09, USU rose to #17 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll. Under Stew Morrill, USU went 193–13 (.937) at home, made six NCAA tournaments between 2000 and 2010, and amassed one of the nation’s top win totals in that span. USU captured the Mountain West regular-season title in 2018–19 and back-to-back tournament titles in 2019 and 2020, and has appeared in three of the last five NCAA tournaments (2021, 2023, 2024).

USU football competes in the FBS. Under head coach Gary Andersen, USU posted its first 10-win regular season in 2012, won its first Western Athletic Conference football title, and finished ranked in all three major polls. Athletics director Scott Barnes emphasized recruiting, TV coverage, fundraising, facilities, and reorganization during a resource-constrained period—efforts recognized by the 2009 Excellence in Management Cup. Matt Wells succeeded Andersen before the 2013–14 season, and in December 2020, athletics director John Hartwell hired Blake Anderson as USU’s 29th head coach. Anderson led USU for three seasons before interim head coach Nate Dreiling guided the program in 2024, and Bronco Mendenhall was named head coach for 2025.

USU was in the WAC from 2005 to 2012; men’s teams won WAC titles in football (2012), basketball (2008–2011), indoor track (2008, 2010, 2011), outdoor track (2007, 2009–2011), and cross country (2005–2009, 2011). Women’s teams won WAC titles in volleyball (2012), soccer (2008, 2010–2012), cross country (2006, 2008), and track (indoor/outdoor 2012). National collegiate titles include women’s volleyball (1978) and softball (1980, 1981).

As MWC members, the Aggies claimed a football division crown and played in the inaugural MWC Championship Game (2013); men’s tennis won the MWC regular season in 2016; regular season and tournament titles in 2017; the tournament in 2018; and another regular season crown in 2024; men’s cross country won the league in 2019; volleyball won the regular season in 2021; and men’s basketball won the 2019–20 MWC tournament.

Club athletics

USU club teams have won fifteen national titles. Baseball club titles came in 2012 and 2014; rodeo has produced two individual national champions (Garrett Thurston, Trevor Merrill); the handball club has claimed nine national titles among its roster; and the Cycling Club has two individual national championships.

Utah State’s Logan campus supports a broad slate of competitive club sports, including:

Intramural

Intramural sports are offered to students, faculty, and staff through Aggie Recreation using campus and community facilities.

Media

Journals based at or historically hosted by the university include Utah Science, Western Historical Quarterly, and Western American Literature. The Utah State University Press publishes works in composition studies, folklore, Mormon history, Native American studies, nature and environment, and western history.

The Utah Statesman (The Statesman) is the primary news outlet serving the student body. It is student-run with a faculty adviser and is funded by a student fee of $2 per semester and advertising revenue. The Statesman is published weekly and distributed free on campus and in downtown Logan. It won the Society for Professional Journalists’ Best Column Writing (2002) and Best Non-Daily Student Paper (2005) awards.

Aggie Radio 92.3 KBLU-LP is an entirely student-run radio station broadcasting to Cache Valley and online. Programming emphasizes local, alternative, and independent music, with live sports via its Learfield IMG College affiliation covering Utah State football and men’s and women’s basketball throughout the season.

Utah Public Radio (UPR), a service of Utah State University, broadcasts news, information, public affairs, and cultural programming 24/7 across Utah and southern Idaho via six stations and 30 translators. UPR began in 1953 as KVSC, became KUSU-FM in 1961, and is affiliated with National Public Radio, Public Radio International, and American Public Media.

Aggie TV is a free cable lineup (≈110 channels) for on-campus residents. It also produces Crossroads (bulletins/announcements) and Aggie Advantage (local and student video programming).

Notable alumni and faculty

Main article: List of Utah State University alumni, List of Utah State University presidents, List of Utah State University faculty

USU is associated with seven Rhodes Scholars, one Nobel Prize winner, one MacArthur Fellow, four recipients of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship, 34 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship recipients, several astronauts (including Mary L. Cleave), numerous political and judicial leaders (including Utah Governor Spencer Cox), diplomats, and international heads of government such as Hesham Qandil, former Prime Minister of Egypt.

Utah State alumni include accomplished artists, writers, athletes, and executives. They have led major corporations and nonprofit organizations worldwide, and several have held senior ecclesiastical positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Ezra Taft Benson, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and later President of the Church.

On 13 June 1899, graduates of the Agricultural College of Utah met to create the Alumni Association. Today, the association is housed in the historic David B. Haight Alumni Center, dedicated 11 July 1991. Alumni chapters exist in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Washington, D.C. USU’s 149,000 alumni live in all U.S. states and in more than 110 countries.

Particularly notable alumni include Harry Reid, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader; Lars Peter Hansen, 2013 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences; poet May Swenson; Merlin Olsen, Pro Football Hall of Famer and actor; Ardeshir Zahedi, former Iranian Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the United States; Olympic sprinter LaDonna Antoine-Watkins; Chris Cooley, NFL tight end; and Jordan Love, NFL quarterback for the Green Bay Packers and former Utah State standout.

Gallery

File:Norah Abdullah Al-Faiz.jpg|Norah Al Faiz, M.Ed. 1982 — Deputy Minister for Women's Education in Saudi Arabia (first woman appointed to a ministerial post in Saudi Arabia) File:John K Cannon.jpg|John K. Cannon (1914) — Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe (1945) File:Mary Cleave.jpg|Mary L. Cleave, M.S. 1975; Ph.D. 1980 — NASA Space Shuttle astronaut File:Spencer Cox 1 (cropped).jpg|Spencer Cox — 18th and current Governor of Utah (since 2021) File:Lars Peter Hansen photo in 2007.jpg|Lars Peter Hansen, B.S. 1974 — 2013 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences File:William Marion Jardine.jpg|William Marion Jardine — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (1925–1929); U.S. Ambassador to Egypt (1930–1933) File:Harry Reid official portrait.jpg|Harry Reid, B.S. 1961 — U.S. Senator and Senate Majority Leader (2007–2015) File:Hesham Mohamed Qandil World Economic Forum 2013.jpg|Hesham Qandil, M.S. 1988 — former Prime Minister of Egypt File:Merlin Olsen, 1975.jpg|Merlin Olsen, B.S. 1962 — Pro Football Hall of Famer, actor, and broadcaster File:Jay Silvester.jpg|Jay Silvester — four-time Olympian (discus), 1972 silver medalist; former world-record holder File:Craig Jessop.jpg|Craig Jessop, B.S. 1973 — former director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir File:Ardeshir Zahedi.jpg|Ardeshir Zahedi, B.S. 1950 — former Iranian Foreign Minister and Ambassador to the United States File:Jordan Love OCT2021 (cropped).jpg|Jordan Love — NFL quarterback for the Green Bay Packers

Notes

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