Utah Considers Adding a Third Law School

Why It Matters

Adding a flexible, lower‑cost law school expands access to legal education and intensifies competition, strengthening Utah’s talent pipeline for its growing tech sector.

Key Takeaways

• Senate bill proposes third Utah law school
• Utah Valley University to conduct feasibility study
• Study focuses on ABA accreditation pathways
• Target audience: working professionals seeking flexible schedules
• Potential lower tuition could broaden law school accessibility

Pulse Analysis

The past decade has seen a modest resurgence of new law schools across the United States, driven largely by a growing appetite for part‑time and hybrid curricula. Prospective students increasingly value programs that can be balanced with full‑time employment, prompting institutions to experiment with evening classes, weekend intensives, and online modules. This shift aligns with broader workforce trends that prioritize continuous learning and credential stacking. As a result, state legislatures are paying closer attention to how expanding legal education capacity can address both enrollment bottlenecks and regional talent shortages.

The Mountain West state currently hosts two accredited law schools—University of Utah and Brigham Young University—both reporting steady enrollment growth over five years. Demographic data from the Utah State Bar shows rising demand for legal services in fast‑growing tech hubs like Lehi and Provo, where many professionals seek part‑time study. Senate Bill introduced by Sen. Brady Brammer tasks Utah Valley University with a feasibility analysis for a Thanksgiving Point campus offering evening and weekend courses at lower tuition. Approval would diversify Utah’s legal‑education landscape and attract out‑of‑state students seeking flexible, cost‑effective pathways.

Beyond expanding capacity, the new school could reshape tuition dynamics in Utah, pressuring the University of Utah and BYU to reassess fees and scholarships. Accreditation remains a critical hurdle; American Bar Association approval requires faculty depth, library resources, and bar‑pass outcomes, all examined in the feasibility study. A successful launch would stimulate local economies through faculty, admin jobs, and ancillary services, while supplying the region’s tech and real‑estate sectors with home‑grown legal talent. Stakeholders watch closely, as the outcome may set a precedent for states balancing flexible education with professional standards.

Utah Considers Adding a Third Law School

By Christine Charnosky · February 17, 2026 at 03:02 PM

Photo: Catherine Minaeva/Shutterstock.com

Utah is considering adding a third law school to the state, recognizing the need for increased access to legal education. The two existing law schools in the state—University of Utah and Brigham Young University—serve a growing demand, but lawmakers see an opportunity to further expand options, especially for working professionals.

What You Need to Know

• The bill was filed in the Senate last month by Utah State Sen. Brady Brammer.

• The Utah State Senate has tasked Utah Valley University to conduct a feasibility study for adding a law school at the Thanksgiving Point campus in Lehi.

• The study will assess accreditation pathways, including ABA accreditation.

• The university’s study, done in conjunction with the state education boards, is due by Nov. 30.

The proposed law school would be designed to accommodate working professionals, offering flexible scheduling and potentially lower tuition costs.