Salt Lake City offers two accelerated nursing programs ranging from 16 to 18 months with estimated costs from $26,200 to $73,200. Programs are located in Sandy and South Jordan, with formats including traditional on-campus, hybrid-online, and faith-based instruction emphasizing servant leadership.
| School | Location | Duration | Estimated Cost | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Salt Lake City (Sandy) | 16 months | $38K-$46K / yr | 3.0 unweighted 3.25 prerequisite GPA | |
South Jordan | Less than 18 months | $74K | 2.75 GPA |
Grand Canyon vs Roseman for ABSN
TLDR: Quick Selection Guide
Choose Grand Canyon University if you want the fastest completion time (16 months) and most affordable tuition ($26,200 per academic year). The faith-based program achieved a 95.57% NCLEX first-time pass rate at Arizona locations (2024) and operates year-round with sequential courses.
You’ll benefit from a hybrid learning model combining online coursework with hands-on labs and clinical rotations, plus training at the Lopes Center for Nursing Simulation across 18 clinical credits.
Choose Roseman University if you want flexible learning modality options (traditional on-campus or hybrid-online) and fall/spring/summer start dates through competitive rolling admissions. The unique Block System lets you master one content area at a time with a 90% mastery requirement for progression.
You’ll complete the second degree nursing program in under 18 months at the South Jordan campus with clinical rotations at Roseman campuses and affiliated healthcare facilities in Utah.
Shortest Program
Grand Canyon University offers Salt Lake City’s fastest accelerated nursing program at 16 months, operating year-round with sequential courses that must be completed in order.
Under 18 Months
Roseman University completes in less than 18 months at its South Jordan campus, offering both traditional on-campus and hybrid-online formats.
Format Comparison
Hybrid Models: Both Grand Canyon University and Roseman University offer hybrid formats combining online learning with mandatory in-person components.
Dual Format Options: Roseman University uniquely provides both traditional on-campus and hybrid-online modalities, allowing students to choose their preferred learning style.
Faith-Based Emphasis: Grand Canyon University integrates Christian worldview and servant leadership principles throughout the curriculum with required coursework including CWV-101 Christian Worldview.
Block vs. Sequential Structure: Roseman University uses a Block System where students focus on one content area at a time and must achieve 90% mastery to progress, while GCU follows a sequential structure with courses that must be completed in order over 16 months.
Schedule Requirements: Roseman’s on-campus schedule requires full-time commitment Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM for didactic components with skills labs potentially after hours. GCU requires students to be within driving distance of the Sandy location for regular in-person nursing skills labs, simulations, and proctored exams.
Most Affordable ABSN Program in Salt Lake City
Grand Canyon University offers the most affordable tuition at $26,200 per academic year (total estimated costs range from $37,800-$45,900 depending on living arrangements).
Prerequisite Course Patterns
Both Salt Lake City second degree nursing programs require completion of anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, and general education courses before beginning nursing coursework.
Grand Canyon University requires nine specific prerequisite courses completed within seven years with a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.25 or higher.including Human Anatomy and Physiology II (with lab), Microbiology (with lab), Applied Nutrition, Applied Pathophysiology, Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry (with lab), and Lifespan Development totaling 24 credits.
Roseman University mandates 49 total semester prerequisite credits including 16 credits of physical/biological science (with 12 credits specifically in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology with labs), 6 credits social science, 3 credits statistics, 6 credits English composition, 6 credits humanities, 9 elective credits, and 3 credits US and/or Nevada Constitution.
Both programs set minimum grade requirements for prerequisite courses and offer pathways to complete missing prerequisites before enrollment.
GCU allows students to complete prerequisite courses online through the university at $425 per credit with minimum grade of C required, while Roseman partners with StraighterLine to provide affordable, self-paced online prerequisite courses and requires grades of C (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.
Due to Roseman’s unique concept-based curriculum, the university does not accept transfer of nursing coursework from other nursing programs, though both schools accept general prerequisite transfer credits from accredited institutions.
Start Dates and Cohort Availability
| School | Start Date(s) | Application Deadline(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon University | Year-round (sequential courses) | Rolling admissions |
| Roseman University | Fall, Spring, and Summer | Competitive rolling admissions |
Multiple Start Options
Roseman University admits cohorts in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms through a competitive rolling admissions process, providing flexibility for students who complete prerequisites on different timelines.
Grand Canyon University operates year-round with sequential courses that must be completed in order, limiting enrollment to ensure quality education while allowing students to start after completing nine prerequisite courses with 3.25+ cumulative prerequisite GPA.
Rolling Admissions Models
Both Grand Canyon University and Roseman University employ rolling admissions processes.
GCU requires pre-admission interviews with university counselors, HESI A2 entrance exam submission, and development of pre-enrollment plans, with students contacting admission counselors for initial consultation to begin the application process.
Roseman uses NursingCAS application plus supplemental application with a $40 application fee, requiring official transcripts from all institutions, a required interview with writing sample, and criminal background check through Complio, with campus assignments final and determined at time of acceptance.
Clinical Training Structure
Students complete clinical rotations in hospitals, community settings, behavioral health facilities, maternal-child units, and population health organizations near Salt Lake City area campuses.
Both programs require current immunizations, health insurance coverage, CPR certification, criminal background checks, professional liability coverage, and adherence to clinical site safety protocols.
Grand Canyon University distributes 18 total clinical credits across specialty areas including adult health, behavioral health, childbearing and childrearing families, population health, and transition to practice residency experiences. The final NSG-444C Transition to Practice course includes 120 clinical hours in simulated and supervised settings.
Students complete supervised clinical rotations at designated healthcare facilities near GCU’s Sandy learning site and must be within driving distance to regularly attend in-person nursing skills labs, immersive simulation experiences, and proctored exams.
Roseman University embeds clinical rotations throughout the curriculum as mandatory components starting with NURS 323.1 Health Assessment Clinical (0.6 clinical credits) and progressing through NURS 324.1 (1.8 credits), NURS 326.1 (4.5 credits), NURS 428.1 (4.5 credits), NURS 430.1 (2.7 credits), and NURS 431 Nursing Practicum (3.6 credits for extended precepted experience).
All rotations are conducted at Roseman campuses and affiliated healthcare facilities in Utah, with students applying full head-to-toe assessments, delivering evidence-based care across ages, managing evolving patient conditions, integrating specialty care in varied settings, and consolidating professional identity through the Senior Practicum Clinical capstone experience.