“This program is an example of our role as the University for Utah,” said President Ruth Watkins. “It will allow us to reach students from across the state who may not have the option of attending classes on campus. We are bringing the U to them so they can continue to live and work wherever they need to be.”

The U has increased its six-year graduation rate by 19 percentage points over the past decade. Stokes said much of that is due to the ongoing efforts to build out the U’s online options for students who have taken some classes on campus, but then moved away or started a family.

“We’re just trying to up our game and improve access,” said Dan Reed, vice president for Academic Affairs. “It’s not a different campus. It’s not a different approach. It’s the same courses and content. The pedagogy and results are indistinguishable. It’s just about trying to broaden access and make higher education more affordable.”

Enrollments in online classes at the U have grown by 262% over the past ten years. There are now 22 whole UOnline programs including ten graduate, four certificates and the seven undergraduate programs that qualify for the UOnline reduced undergraduate tuition. This new one-rate option will make the U the most affordable option for an online degree among the Pac-12 institutions.

Transfer and returning students who select one of the qualifying undergraduate degree programs will see the option to declare intent to enroll in all-online courses on the admissions application. Fall 2020 class registration for current students begins in April.

Learn more about the all-online UOnline programs here.