The University of Utah is a teaching and research university that stands as the flagship school of the Utah state system of higher education. It is the university's mission to discover, refine, and disseminate knowledge, as well as to educate the individual. Diversity is highly encouraged and respected at the University of Utah, which is committed to the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative education, and the school students who are devoted to their education and who also meet high academic standards.

As of autumn of 2004, the student body included residents of all 29 Utah counties, all 50 states, and over 100 nations. Currently, of the 28,619 students enrolled as of Fall 2006, almost 2,000 were international students.

The University of Utah offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in a number of subjects. Its various school and colleges, provide opportunities in disciplines such as architecture, the humanities, engineering, nursing, and business. At the end of the 2005-6 school year, the university awarded almost 7,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees to its graduating classes.