| Utah Valley University | |
|---|---|
| Utah Valley University logo | |
| Established | 1941 (as Central Utah Vocational School) |
| Type | Public university |
| Location | Orem, Utah, United States |
| Students | ~40,000 (2025) |
| Mascot | Willy the Wolverine |
| Colors | Green and white |
| Website | uvu.edu |
Utah Valley University (UVU) is a public university in Orem, Utah, United States. With more than 40,000 students, it is one of the largest public universities in the state and is part of the Utah System of Higher Education.
Quick facts
| Established | 1941 (as Central Utah Vocational School) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university |
| Location | Orem, Utah, United States |
| Students | ~40,000 (2025) |
| Mascot | Willy the Wolverine |
History
Founded in 1941 as a vocational school, the institution became Utah Valley State College in 1993 and achieved university status in 2008. It has since expanded academic offerings and enrollment significantly.
Academics
UVU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across disciplines including business, education, technology, arts, and liberal studies. The university is known for its open-admission policy, which contributes to its large student population.
Campus life
The Orem campus hosts a variety of student organizations, athletics programs (the UVU Wolverines compete in NCAA Division I), and cultural events. UVU emphasizes accessibility and engagement with the surrounding community.
2025 Charlie Kirk shooting
On September 10, 2025, UVU was the site of the Shooting of Charlie Kirk, during which the conservative activist was killed while speaking at an outdoor event. The university was temporarily locked down and provided support services to students and staff in the aftermath.