


Southern Utah University's Thunderbirds compete in NCAA Division I athletics. The university participates in the Western Athletic Conference for many varsity sports, while conference arrangements for particular sports can differ.
Varsity offerings include sports such as basketball, football, cross-country, track and field, soccer, softball, volleyball, golf, tennis and gymnastics. A varsity roster spot requires the relevant team's recruiting or tryout process; being admitted to SUU does not confer one. Students seeking participation without a varsity commitment can separately explore campus recreation, fitness activities and any currently offered club or intramural sports. Those opportunities have different eligibility rules and should not be conflated with NCAA teams.
Southern Utah University students can join recognized organizations spanning academic interests, service, culture, recreation and the performing arts. Student government offers a route into campus representation, while discipline-related clubs can provide peers and activities connected to a major.
The university also has student media and performance opportunities, including a student-run newspaper, radio and television outlets, theater groups, choral ensembles and a marching band. These activities differ in how students join: some are open-membership organizations, while others involve auditions, courses or production roles. Because organization activity changes from year to year, the current student-organization directory is the best place to check meeting details and recognition status.
Southern Utah University enrolls a mix of traditional-age and older students. Reported total enrollment is 15,825, and a recent first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate intake numbered 2,155. These figures describe different measures and should not be treated as a breakdown of the same entering class.
Reported geographic origins show roughly 65% from Utah, 27% from other U.S. states and 8% from other countries. Age counts also include substantial numbers of students in their late twenties and beyond, so the institution is not solely a residential campus for recent high school graduates. As with enrollment figures generally, the mix a student encounters will vary by course format, major and level of study.
SUU reports a student-to-faculty ratio of 22 to 1. This institution-wide measure is not a cap on class size: an introductory course, a laboratory and an advanced seminar can offer very different experiences.
Everyday life at Southern Utah University includes classroom and online study, campus events, recreation, performances and access to student support services. The experience can differ considerably between a residential first-year student, a commuter and an adult learner taking courses around work.
Orientation and first-year programming offer ways for new students to learn campus procedures and meet peers. SUU also reports access to a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling. Students deciding how involved they can be should check event times, service hours and any eligibility rules; a campus program's existence does not mean it will fit every schedule. The university's arts programming and Cedar City setting add options outside ordinary coursework without requiring participation in a club or varsity sport.
The Gerald R. Sherratt Library is Southern Utah University's main campus library. It provides a place to study and obtain academic research materials, including resources that students can use for coursework across disciplines.
Students can reserve study rooms and seek help locating and evaluating sources. For substantial research projects, they should explore the library's databases, electronic journals and borrowing or interlibrary-loan options rather than rely only on a general web search. Remote access to licensed materials may require university credentials. Students who need late-night workspace should check posted hours: the library is not reported to maintain a study area open 24 hours a day.
Total enrollment
15444Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
2016Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
405 full time, 285 part timeVeterans affair office
NoVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross-country running
Football
Golf
Gymnastics
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track and field
Volleyball
Data last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.