SALT LAKE CITY — Eighty-one programs will be cut at the University of Utah to help the school align with new rules from the state aimed at prioritizing high-demand and better-paying careers.
All 81 either graduated no students or just one student in the last eight years, according to a release on the school’s website.
Program cuts come after review
School leaders have been reviewing academic programs at the University of Utah as part of a new state law, HB 265. The U. lost nearly $20 million under the state’s higher education budget, but has the possibility to gain that funding back by reinvesting the money in programs with a better return on investment — higher demand degrees or certificates that pay better and serve the state’s needs better.
Students walk on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Laura Seitz, Deseret News)
University of Utah Provost Mitzi Montoya thanked the school’s academic leaders for their work identifying which programs should go in a memo sent last month.
“These decisions reflect careful consideration and consultation with college, school and departmental leadership,” she wrote.
Humanities, fine arts, among program cuts
The affected programs include many humanities and fine arts degrees and certificates, but also programs in medicine, engineering, science and business. You can see the full list of affected programs here.
The legislature mandated the review as part of its higher education budget. Colleges and universities had to provide their list of program cuts by later this month as part of a plan to re-invest funding in higher-demand degrees. Only those with very low enrollment will be cut.
The Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (Laura Seitz/Deseret News)
According to the release, students currently enrolled in affected programs will receive support to complete their degrees. The state legislature and Utah System of Higher Education will review the proposed program cuts next.
