University of Utah David Eccles School of Business

Program Overview

Utah Eccles holds a global #2 ranking for learning and entrepreneurship. That's not a vanity metric. Salt Lake City's "Silicon Slopes" tech corridor has produced Qualtrics, Pluralsight, Domo, and dozens of high-growth companies, and the Eccles MBA sits at the center of that ecosystem. The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute connects students to founders, investors, and startup resources. Over 80% of MBA students receive scholarship support, making the effective cost well below the $39K sticker price.

The 55-student class gets a 21-month MBA with 45% elective curriculum, allowing deep specialization from the start. Salt Lake City's tech economy has been growing at rates that rival Austin and Denver, with companies like Adobe, Goldman Sachs, and eBay expanding their Utah operations. The outdoor lifestyle (world-class skiing is 30 minutes from campus) adds a quality-of-life dimension that's hard to replicate. The combination of entrepreneurship culture, tech economy access, and scholarship generosity creates a value proposition that's stronger than the raw ranking suggests.

Culture & Community

Utah Eccles attracts entrepreneurial thinkers in a state that punches above its weight in startup activity. The culture is collaborative and ambitious, with a community orientation that reflects Utah's broader values. Salt Lake City offers an unusual mix: a growing tech scene, affordable housing (relative to other tech hubs), and some of the best skiing and hiking in North America. The 55-person class bonds through startup projects, outdoor adventures, and the shared experience of watching Silicon Slopes grow in real time.

Academics & Curriculum

Entrepreneurship courses dominate the academic identity. The Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute provides venture competitions, mentorship, and a living-learning community for founders. Technology management and venture capital courses build on Silicon Slopes partnerships. The 45% elective curriculum allows students to specialize early in their chosen track. Faculty bring both academic credentials and industry experience from the local tech ecosystem.

Career Outcomes

Silicon Slopes tech companies, along with national firms with Utah offices, are the primary employers. Adobe, Goldman Sachs, eBay, and numerous high-growth startups recruit from Eccles. Tech (30%), finance (20%), and consulting (18%) are the top sectors. The $110,000 average salary reflects Salt Lake City's strong tech compensation, which is lower than the Bay Area but paired with dramatically lower living costs. Entrepreneurship rates are high: a significant percentage of graduates join or launch startups within a few years of graduation.

Who Should Apply

Aspiring entrepreneurs who want a top-ranked entrepreneurship program at a fraction of Stanford's cost. Tech professionals targeting the Silicon Slopes ecosystem. Anyone who values scholarship support, outdoor lifestyle, and a growing tech economy. Candidates who want startup culture baked into the MBA experience.

What to Watch Out For

Salt Lake City, while growing rapidly, is still a mid-size market. If your career goals are East Coast finance or Bay Area big tech, Utah's geographic isolation adds friction. The Eccles brand, while strong in entrepreneurship circles and the Mountain West, is less recognized nationally. Utah's cultural environment (strongly influenced by the LDS community) may not appeal to everyone. And Silicon Slopes, for all its growth, hasn't yet produced the depth of Fortune 500 headquarters that DFW, Chicago, or NYC offer.

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See also: Overall Rankings · Highest Salaries · Is an MBA Worth It? · GMAT vs GRE Guide