Salt Lake Community College: A Comprehensive Overview

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) stands as a cornerstone of higher education in Salt Lake County, Utah. As the state's largest two-year college, SLCC distinguishes itself with a commitment to serving a diverse student body through accessible and comprehensive educational programs. This article delves into various facets of SLCC, including its academic offerings, campus locations, student life, and its role in the broader community.

General Information and Academic Structure

SLCC operates on a semester-based academic calendar and maintains a student-faculty ratio of 18-to-1, ensuring personalized attention for its students. The college offers associate degrees and certificates in 98 different fields, with popular programs including General Studies, Business/Commerce, and Registered Nursing. SLCC has an open admissions policy, making higher education accessible to a wide range of students.

In the academic year 2020-2021, in-state tuition and fees were $4,086, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $12,734. The application fee is $40.

Student Demographics and Campus Life

SLCC's student body is diverse, reflecting the demographics of the Salt Lake City community. As of Fall 2022, the college had a full-time enrollment of 6,860 students and a part-time enrollment of 20,433 students. A significant portion of the student population is under 24 years old, with 24% under 18 and 46% between 18 and 24. Approximately 29% of students are between 25 and 64, and 1% are over 65.

SLCC provides a range of campus services to support its students, including employment services, academic and career counseling, placement services for completers, and on-campus day care for students' children. While credit for life experiences is not available, the college focuses on providing comprehensive support to help students succeed.

Read also: About Grossmont Community College

Financial Aid and Affordability

SLCC is committed to making education affordable. In 2022-2023, 30 percent of undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid, with the average scholarship or grant award being $3,378. This financial assistance helps students manage the cost of tuition and fees, which were $4,086 for in-state students and $12,734 for out-of-state students in 2020-2021.

Multiple Campuses and Locations

To accommodate the diverse needs of its large student body, SLCC operates across multiple campuses and locations:

Taylorsville Redwood Campus: Located at 4600 South Redwood Road in Taylorsville, this is the primary campus and houses the school's student center and main offices.
South City Campus: Situated at 1575 South State Street in Salt Lake City, this campus occupies the former South High School and includes classrooms, laboratories, and the Grand Theatre. In 2013, the Center for Arts and Media building was added, supported by grants from the State of Utah and community partners.
Jordan Campus: Located at 3491 West 9000 South in West Jordan, the Jordan Campus is a full-service campus that includes a five-story Health Science building, which opened by 2007. A UTA TRAX station is planned near the college.

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Miller Campus: Opened in 2001 at 9750 South 300 West in Sandy, the Miller Campus was donated to SLCC by Larry H. Miller. It houses SLCC's Culinary Institute and continuing education programs, as well as the Miller Business Resource Center and Miller Business Innovation Center.
Herriman Campus: Opened in 2023 at 14551 South Sentinel Ridge Blvd in Herriman, this campus is a collaboration between SLCC and the University of Utah.
Draper Location: A new location in Draper, housed in the old Draper City Hall building, offers a range of general education courses with smaller class sizes.
Main Street Center: Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City at 115 South Main Street, this center provides convenient access to courses for those living or working downtown.

Distance Education

SLCC offers extensive distance education options, with more than 350 course sections available via various formats, including telecourses, live distance education (EDNET), video checkout, and the Internet. Over 10 percent of SLCC course sections are eEducation classes, and over 7,000 SLCC students take at least one eEducation course each semester.

Health Science Center

In response to the shortage of health care professionals, SLCC is constructing a new Health Science Center at the Jordan Campus. This facility will significantly increase the number of students in health sciences programs and enhance the quality of their education, featuring 28 medical labs, 16 classrooms, 5 computer labs, and a radiology clinic.

SLCC's Role in the Community and Economy

SLCC plays a vital role in building Utah's economy by providing skills training, professional development, and academic programs to current and future employees. The college has established active partnerships with more than 500 local businesses and school districts. SLCC anticipates future needs and prepares a skilled workforce capable of managing ever-changing technologies. SLCC serves more than 60,000 students through credit and non-credit courses and workshops each year.

Leadership and Accreditation

Deneece Huftalin was named SLCC president in September 2014. The Thayne Center, established in 1994, coordinates service-related programs for SLCC. SLCC is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, ensuring that credits are transferable to the state's four-year colleges.

Athletics

The SLCC Bruins compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) since 1985. The school fields men's teams in baseball, basketball, and soccer, and women's teams in basketball, softball, volleyball, and soccer. The men's basketball program advanced to the NJCAA championship game in 2008. The Bruins' men's baseball team captured the NJCAA championship in 2025. Salt Lake Community College's mascot is a bruin, "Brutus". He appears at local parades and performs at the women's volleyball and men's basketball games.

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