Utah State University (USU or Utah State) is a public land-grant university and research university in Logan, Utah, United States. Founded in 1888 under the Morrill Land-Grant Acts as Utah's only federal land-grant institution, USU is one of the state's two flagship universities. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". As of fall 2025, USU enrolled 29,831 students across its statewide system, making its Logan campus the largest public residential campus in Utah, with more than 84 percent of students living away from home.
Under the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, USU's original land-grant oriented mission was to provide education in agriculture, mechanical arts, science, classical studies, military science and officer training for all branches of the U.S. Department of Defense (then named the "United States Department of War"), later expanding to include liberal arts, business, and engineering. Today, Utah State operates 14 separate statewide campuses (including 3 residential campuses), 29 extension office locations, 14 research farms, 8 field sites, and over 50 research centers, having the most campuses, the most total campus acreage, and the most degree offerings of any institution of higher education in the state of Utah (over 370 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities).
Utah State is recognized internationally for its academics and research in engineering, space science, satellite technology, aerospace, aviation, flight technology, rocket science, missile defense systems, electric propulsion, agriculture, animal science, energy, natural resources, business, economics, anticipatory intelligence, military leadership, and education. Utah State's Huntsman School of Business is the global seat for the Shingo Prize award in organizational excellence and the Steven R. Covey Leadership Center.
Since World War I, Utah State's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program has achieved national prominence — earning USU the nickname "West Point of the West."
In 2023, the National Science Foundation ranked Utah State 80th nationally and among the top 50 public universities for research expenditures, reporting $401.5 million in 2023, $497.4 million in 2024, and $517 million in 2025. The university hosts the second-oldest undergraduate research program in the United States (second to MIT) and was recently named by The Council on Undergraduate Research as the best undergraduate research program in the nation. USU also houses Utah's only colleges of veterinary medicine and agriculture.
Utah State's athletic teams, known as the Utah State Aggies, compete in NCAA Division I athletics. The Aggies currently participate in the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference as a full member beginning July 1, 2026.
History
Background and founding (1862–1890)
thumb|upright|[[Old Main (Utah State University)|Old Main, completed in 1890, is the university's oldest building and houses administrative offices and parts of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.]]
The Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1862, created a system of publicly funded institutions devoted to agriculture and the mechanical arts. Utah leaders viewed the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act as an opportunity to advance scientific and agricultural education within the territory, aligning with a broader national movement toward practical, research-based instruction in the mechanical arts. Following a visit to Denmark, territorial legislator Anthon H. Lund advocated for an agricultural college modeled after European land-grant institutions.
After a period of political debate in which Salt Lake City retained the territorial university, citizens of Logan successfully lobbied the legislature to locate the agricultural college in Cache Valley. On March 8, 1888, the Agricultural College of Utah was chartered as the state's land-grant institution. The college opened its doors on September 2, 1890, with 14-year-old Vendla Berntson enrolled as its first student.
Growth and curricular controversies (1890–1916)
thumb|left|The Agricultural College of Utah in 1892.
The new college was chartered to provide instruction in "agriculture, domestic science, and the mechanic arts." Early expansion under President William J. Kerr drew opposition from some legislators who feared competition with the University of Utah. Efforts in 1907 sought to consolidate the two institutions, resulting in a compromise that restricted the Agricultural College's curriculum to agriculture, domestic science, and mechanical arts. The legislature gradually lifted these restrictions, and by the 1920s the college had regained broad academic autonomy.
Under President Elmer George Peterson, the college expanded significantly, and its Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program achieved national prominence — earning the nickname "West Point of the West."
During World War II, Utah State hosted one of six United States Navy Primary Schools for the Electronics Training Program, graduating more than 2,700 Navy students between 1942 and 1944. Utah State's technical and military training programs during World War II helped position the university for later federal research partnerships in electronics and defense, relationships that eventually led to the establishment of the Space Dynamics Laboratory.
Post-war growth and university status (1946–1970s)
After the war, enrollment surged with returning veterans supported by the GI Bill. During the late 1970s, Utah State University enrolled one of the nation's largest groups of Iranian students, reflecting decades of educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Iran.
Modernization and expansion (1980–2000)
The earliest roots of USU's distance education go back to 1904, when USU professors traveled by train from Logan to Burley, Idaho to deliver dairy lectures. In the 1950s, professors regularly drove around the state to teach courses and advise students. The first Statewide Campus, Uintah Basin, was designated by the Utah State Legislature in 1967. The following year, "flying professors" traveled weekly to teach at USU's various campuses and centers. Traveling from the centers was necessary until Utah State installed satellite systems in 1996. In 2005, University President Stan Albrecht moved Utah State University's Continuing Education unit to the Provost's Office and established the USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education organization. The system grew in 2010 with the addition of USU Eastern to nearly one-half of USU's enrollment., multiple regional campuses, several extension and field site locations, 14 statewide research farms, and 29 additional statewide extension offices. In 2012, RCDE completed construction of the Regional Campuses Distance Education (RCDE) Building which houses broadcast classrooms, RCDE offices, and the Utah Education Network.
By the late 20th century, Utah State sought to broaden its national reach beyond its regional mission. Under President George H. Emert (1992–2000), the university's endowment grew from $7 million to $80 million, and research funding reached new highs. The Merrill-Cazier Library opened in 2005, followed by several new research and classroom facilities. In 2010, USU acquired both the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter near Park City and the College of Eastern Utah, extending its statewide reach. In 2012, USU concluded a $400 million fundraising campaign—the largest in its history.
From 2017 to 2023, President Noelle E. Cockett became USU's first female president, expanding statewide programs and research capacity while addressing campus safety and inclusion. She was succeeded by Elizabeth R. Cantwell (2023–2025), whose tenure was marked by fiscal and administrative controversy prior to her departure to lead Washington State University.
Following an interim term under Alan L. Smith, the Utah Board of Higher Education appointed Brad L. Mortensen, former president of Weber State University, as Utah State's 18th president on October 30, 2025. Mortensen's administration, beginning November 10, 2025, has emphasized fiscal accountability, academic restructuring, and statewide access initiatives.
Campus and locations
In addition to its Main Campus in Logan, Utah State University operates a system of 13 separate state-wide campuses (including 3 residential campuses); Utah State Extension offices in all 29 counties, 14 separate research farms, and seven (7) additional field site locations throughout Utah. Utah State is the largest school in the state of Utah in terms of both the number of campuses and in total campus acreage; and, it is the 13th largest school in the United States by total campus acreage.
USU has submitted, and the state legislature of Utah has approved as to strategy for the university, growth and expansion plans for each of its state-wide campuses as well as additional future campus locations throughout the state.
Logan Campus (Main Campus)
thumb|[[Old Main (Utah State University)|Old Main from outside the Taggart Student Center]]
Utah State University's main academic, research, residential, athletic, and innovation campus is located in Logan, Utah, spanning over 600 acres at the mouth of Logan Canyon. The campus sits on a "bench," a shelf-like foothill overlooking Cache Valley to the west, with Mount Logan and the Bear River Range rising sharply to the east.
The campus is home to more than 100 buildings. Key facilities include Maverik Stadium, the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, Old Main (the university's first building), the Merrill-Cazier Library (305,000 square feet), and the Manon Caine Russell-Kathryn Caine Wanlass Performance Hall.
thumb|left|Utah State University's quad during the summer
The Logan City Cemetery divides much of the campus, with the main academic buildings to the south and the innovation and research facilities to the north. The campus also includes residential, recreational, and athletic buildings. To the west and north are located the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
Recreation and wellness facilities
Students have full access to the HPER (pronounced "hyper"), Nelson Fieldhouse, and the 117,000-sq-ft ARC (Aggie Recreation Center) exercise facilities, which include basketball courts, indoor rock climbing, gymnastics equipment, two swimming pools, racquetball, squash, and outdoor field space for lacrosse, rugby, soccer, ultimate, and other sports.
Arboretum and natural surroundings
With more than 30 of Utah's largest tree species and more than 7,000 trees, Utah State University's Logan campus has earned international recognition as an arboretum, accredited by ArbNet.
Outdoor recreation and campus surroundings
USU's main campus in Logan, Utah, and the city of Logan have received several accolades, including being named the "Best College Town" for the 2019–2020 school year and "Most Beautiful Campus in Utah."
Directly adjacent to the campus are Logan Canyon and the Cache National Forest, which provide opportunities for hiking, camping, and skiing. Logan Canyon also serves as the main route to Beaver Mountain Ski Resort and Bear Lake, both of which are popular among students for winter sports and summer activities. Students often visit these nearby areas for recreational activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and skiing. The USU Outdoor Recreation Program supports these activities by renting equipment for camping, water sports, mountain sports, and winter sports, as well as providing trail maps and local expertise.
Several notable sites are located on or near campus property. First Dam, a small research reservoir situated at the mouth of Logan Canyon, is a popular spot for paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing. The Logan Country Club, adjacent to the campus, is home to the university's men's golf team. Additionally, the Utah Water Research Laboratory is a key research facility near Logan Canyon.
In the broader region, students have access to other ski resorts, such as Powder Mountain and Cherry Peak Resort, as well as local golf courses, lakes, and reservoirs, including Hyrum Reservoir at Hyrum State Park. Many students take advantage of Utah's YETI ski pass, which allows limited access to all of Utah's ski resorts. Weekend getaways to Yellowstone National Park, Teton National Park, and Lava Hot Springs are also popular due to their proximity to Logan.
Utah State University Eastern and USU Blanding
In addition to its main campus in Logan, Utah State operates two separate residential campuses: one in Price (USU Eastern) and another in Blanding.
Utah State University Eastern
Located in Price, Utah, the former College of Eastern Utah joined the USU system in 2010 and became Utah State University College of Eastern Utah (USU Eastern). In 2013, the official name was shortened to Utah State University Eastern, as was officially designated as a campus of Utah State University. USU Eastern is the only campus besides Logan to have an athletics program; and, competes as the Utah State Eastern Utah Golden Eagles.
Utah State University Blanding
USU also operates a residential satellite campus, known as the Blanding campus, in Blanding, Utah.
Statewide Campuses
Regional Campuses and Distance Education (RCDE) work to fulfill USU's land-grant mission to increase access to high-quality education throughout Utah.
Logan is one of many cities and towns hosting a statewide campus for Utah State. Additional campus sites are located as:
- Main Campus: Logan
- Other Residential Campuses: USU Eastern (Price), USU Blanding
- Other Regional Campuses: Brigham City, Kaysville, Moab, Monument Valley, Orem, Roosevelt, Salt Lake City, St. George, Tooele, Tremonton, Vernal
Utah State University has conducted studies and proposed long-term development master plans to the state of Utah, which have been approved in concept to create residential and research campuses at each of its additional campuses throughout the State.
USU Extension and Field Site Locations
USU instructional office extension locations are also located in every county in Utah including Beaver, Bicknell, Blanding, Brigham City, Castle Dale, Cedar City, Delta, Ephraim, Heber City, Junction, Kanab, Kaysville, Logan, Montezuma Creek, Monticello, Monument Valley, Nephi, Orem, Panguitch, Park City, Price, Richfield, Roosevelt, Salt Lake City, St. George, Tooele, Tremonton, Vernal, and Wendover. Courses and degrees are also made available online through online, international and Distance Education.
USU, operates a number of centers and field sites throughout the state, including 14 separate research farms throughout the state of Utah. In addition, USU operates the following, large field-site locations:
- Thanksgiving Point (Lehi). Botanical gardens, arboretum, museums, research and education classes as an extension of USU.
- Ogden Botanical Gardens (Ogden). Botanical Gardens, and education classes as an extension of USU.
- Bastian Agricultural Center (South Jordan). Equestrian, agricultural education, and event facilities, including equestrian competition events.
- USU Botanical Center (Kaysville). Teaching gardens, extension classrooms, amphitheater, wetlands, and outreach sites.
- Sam Skaggs Family Equine Education Center (Wellsville). Instructional and research facilities for equine sciences.
- Logan-Cache Airport. Houses USU's offisite aircraft, hangars, and supports USU's aviation and flight technology programs, as well as USU flight technology and community outreach programs.
- Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter (Park City). A land trust and a education center focused on wetlands, wildlife, and sustainability; LEED Platinum certified.
Sustainability
Utah State University (USU) integrates sustainability into campus operations, academics, and statewide outreach through the Office of Sustainability, which was elevated under the Office of the President in 2023 to strengthen institution-wide coordination and embed sustainability into university policy and culture. The university signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in 2007, pledging carbon neutrality by 2050; the Faculty Senate advanced that goal to 2040 in 2023.
Energy and decarbonization
The Decarbonization Master Plan (2022) establishes a roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions on the Logan campus by 2040. It outlines four complementary strategies:
(1) deep energy-efficiency retrofits and controls optimization,
(2) electrification of space and domestic water heating systems,
(3) procurement of low- or zero-carbon electricity through on-site generation and power-purchase agreements, and
(4) lifecycle carbon analysis for all new construction.
The plan recommends converting the campus's central steam system to low-temperature hydronic heating, installing domestic-water heat pumps in 75 buildings, and expanding solar generation to 8.4 MW by 2040. As of FY 2024, USU issued a request for proposals for 3 MW of distributed solar co-located with battery storage, expected to reduce emissions by about 2,900 metric tons CO₂e annually.
According to the FY 2023 Greenhouse Gas Inventory, USU's total emissions were 106,126 metric tons CO₂e, a 3 percent decline from 2008 despite significant campus growth. New design guidelines require "solar-ready" roofs and low-embodied-carbon materials, consistent with lifecycle carbon accounting principles established in the Decarbonization Master Plan.
Irrigation is managed via a weather-responsive central control system that draws primarily from the Cache Highline Water Association canal, achieving substantial efficiency gains over previous baselines.
Food systems and permaculture
The Permaculture Initiative and Food Forest Program convert underused campus areas into educational landscapes for regenerative agriculture. The Permaculture Impacts 2024 report documents measurable gains in soil carbon, pollinator habitat, and student participation through garden labs, workshops, and design courses, aligning with USU's land-grant outreach mission.
Transportation and mobility
The Innovation Campus District Plan (2017) introduced electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, carpool and transit pickup zones, and expanded Aggie Shuttle and Cache Valley Transit District service routes to support active commuting.
By 2023, USU had replaced part of its fleet with compressed-natural-gas Aggie Shuttles and launched an EV integration study. The university also partners with Logan's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Aggie Blue Bikes to promote low-emission commuting and alternative transportation.
Tracking, engagement, and statewide impact
USU allocates about US$800,000 per year to energy-efficiency projects and is developing a green revolving fund to reinvest savings across its statewide campuses.
The Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water & Air (ILWA) coordinates interdisciplinary research on Utah's climate, renewable energy, and environmental resilience. Each year, ILWA submits reports to the Utah Legislature detailing university-led findings on air quality, drought response, clean-energy development, and long-term natural resource trends.
Governance and administration
Legal status and system affiliation
Utah State University (USU) is a public land-grant research university within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE). The institution operates under the supervision of the Utah Board of Higher Education, which sets statewide policy, approves presidential appointments, and oversees budgetary and strategic priorities for Utah's public colleges and universities.
Governing boards
USU's local governing body is the Board of Trustees, which provides institutional oversight, approves significant policies and transactions, conducts presidential evaluations, and advises the statewide board on campus matters. Trustees include the university president, appointed members representing the state and community, and ex officio participants as defined by state policy.
Executive leadership
The university is led by a president appointed by the Utah Board of Higher Education. On October 30, 2025, the board named Brad L. Mortensen the 18th president of Utah State University; he began his tenure on November 10, 2025. Day-to-day academic administration is headed by the provost and executive vice president, who oversees the deans of the colleges and schools, graduate education, and statewide academic operations.
Organizational structure
Utah State University is organized into academic colleges and schools that offer undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. In 2025, the university announced plans to merge five existing colleges into two new colleges as part of a strategic reinvestment plan required under Utah House Bill 265. The proposal combines the Caine College of the Arts, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the College of Science into a new college aligned with national arts and sciences models, to be led by Dean Joe Ward, current dean of CHaSS. A second merger will join the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources with the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences. According to Interim President Alan Smith, these mergers aim to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and academic efficiency.
In addition to these merged units, the university continues to operate the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services, and the College of Engineering.
In keeping with its land-grant mission, USU also administers a statewide system of regional campuses, centers, and online programs in coordination with the Office of Statewide Campuses and USU Extension.
Finance
USU's operating budget totaled approximately $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2024, reflecting a mix of state appropriations, tuition and fees, research grants and contracts, auxiliaries, and philanthropic support. The university's endowment was valued at approximately $614.9 million as of June 30, 2024, according to NACUBO's annual survey.
Accreditation and affiliations
USU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The university participates in national consortia and programs aligned with its research and outreach mission, including Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), and the Space Grant network, among others.
Academics
Utah State University offers more than 270 degree programs across its main campus in Logan and statewide campuses. As of fall 2024, total enrollment was 28,900 students, including 25,702 undergraduates and 3,198 graduate students.
USU's academic programs span liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, education, and agriculture. Students can pursue 137 undergraduate, 95 master's, and 39 doctoral programs, along with extensive opportunities for study abroad in more than 90 countries.
Academic organization
Utah State's academic enterprise is structured into ten colleges and schools that support both teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines. These academic units are listed below in detail under Colleges and schools.
Degree programs
The university awards associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees as well as professional credentials and certificates. It also operates statewide campuses that deliver hybrid and online programs, making Utah State one of the state's leaders in distance education.
Accreditation and affiliations
Utah State University has maintained continuous accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1924. Several of its academic programs hold specialized accreditations, including those from the American Psychological Association, the ABET, and the NCATE.
Colleges and schools
As of July 1, 2025, Utah State University is organized into seven academic colleges and schools, plus the Graduate School, that collectively oversee the university's teaching, research, and statewide outreach missions. This structure reflects USU's land-grant heritage and continuing strengths in agriculture and natural resources, arts & sciences, education, engineering, and business.
{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size:90%; line-height:1.4em; width:320px;"
! colspan="5" style="text-align:center;"| USU Colleges and Schools (current) USU confirms the new colleges became official on July 1, 2025, with Joe Ward named dean of Arts & Sciences and Grant Cordon serving as interim dean of Agriculture & Natural Resources. It also includes the USU Museum of Anthropology in Old Main.
S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
Created by merging the former College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences (CAAS) with the Quinney College of Natural Resources (QCNR), the college advances land-grant missions in agricultural production, food systems, natural resources stewardship, ecology, and environmental science.
The college has close ties to the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), which employs about 130 students on technical projects.
Research facilities and outreach in the college include the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL), the nation's oldest and largest academic water research facility. The college also sponsors an annual trebuchet pumpkin-toss and Engineers Without Borders chapter activities.
Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
thumb|left|Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services Research Center
USU's Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services (founded 1924) enrolls approximately 5,700 students and offers nationally recognized programs in psychology, special education, human development and family studies, communicative disorders and deaf education, kinesiology, and rehabilitation. The college includes the APA-accredited Department of Psychology and the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM). The college also houses the USU Family Life Center which provides housing and financial counseling and includes a marriage and family therapy clinic.
Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
right|thumb|The Jon M. Huntsman School of Business north-facing entrances
Founded in 1889 (renamed 2007 after a $26M gift from Jon Huntsman Sr.), the Huntsman School is the oldest continuously operating business college in the Western U.S. and the first in Utah. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in management, accounting, economics, finance, and management information systems (MIS), among others, and houses the Shingo Institute (home of the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence).
College of Veterinary Medicine
Established in 2022 as Utah's first four-year veterinary college (building on the prior WIMU regional partnership with Washington State University), the college offers the DVM and allied veterinary programs.
School of Graduate Studies
Established in 1950, the School of Graduate Studies coordinates USU's master's and doctoral programs, graduate policies, and assistantships across all colleges.
Notes on legacy colleges (pre-2025)
Prior to July 1, 2025, USU's colleges included the Caine College of the Arts, the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, the College of Science, the College of Agriculture & Applied Sciences, and the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources as separate entities. Historical information, departmental rosters, facilities, centers, and notable achievements from those legacy units are preserved within the relevant merged subsections above.
Research
thumb|left|alt=Observatory built in 2009 on top of the SER building as seen at night.|Observatory built in 2009 on top of the SER building. For the Department of Physics and public use, it houses a [[reflecting telescope.]]
Utah State University is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". USU is listed in the top 80 universities and the top 50 public universities in the nation for total research and development expenditures with over $494 million in 2024 and a reported $517 million in research development and expenditures in 2025.
Utah State has more than 50 research institutes and centers. Notable research centers based at USU include the Space Dynamics Laboratory, Bingham Energy Research Center, Center for Integrated BioSystems, Center for Growth and Opportunity, Center for Anticipatory Intelligence, Energy Dynamics Laboratory, The Stephen R. Covey Leadership Center, Utah Water Research Laboratory, Center for High Performance Computing, Ecology Center, Utah Climate Center, Center for Advanced Nutrition, Thanksgiving Point, Center for the School of the Future, National Aquatic Monitoring Center, Ogden Botanical Center, Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter, Intermountain Center for River Rehabilitation and Restoration, Bastian Agricultural Center (South Jordan), thumb|Merrill-Cazier Library's "Borrower's Automated Retrieval Network" (BARN) as viewed from the basement|leftIn 2024, Utah State became a member of the U.S. Space Command Academic Engagement Enterprise.
Space Dynamics Laboratory
Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), a contractor owned by Utah State, is one of 15 University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) of the United States Department of Defense and is the only UARC for the Missile Defense Agency and Space Force. As of 2018, SDL has conducted more than 430 successful space missions and deployed more than 500 hardware and software systems.
Some of SDL's projects include:
- WISE
- SABER
- SOFIE
- ICON
- OSIRIS-REx
In 2021, Utah State received a $1 billion contract for aerospace research, including "space and nuclear advanced prototypes, experiments and technology," from the Air Force Research Laboratory, the largest contract ever awarded by AFRL.
In partnership with SDL, Utah State has placed more experiments into space than any institution of higher learning in the world.
Utah Water Research Laboratory
The Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) is a research institution at Utah State. It is the oldest and one of the largest water research facilities in the United States, and is considered one of the most well-respected such facilities in the world. The UWRL has completed more than 100 major projects around the world and operates with more than $400 million in international funding.
GASPACS
thumb|[[GASPACS moments after deployment from the International Space Station. GASPACS was developed entirely by USU undergraduate student researchers in programs funded through USU and in collaboration with NASA. ]]
GASPACS (Get Away Special Passive Attitude Control Satellite) was a NASA-sponsored 1U CubeSat developed entirely by undergraduate members of Utah State University's Get Away Special (GAS) team. The primary mission objective of GASPACS was to deploy a 1-meter inflatable aerodynamic boom to passively stabilize its attitude. GASPACS was the world's first CubeSat to be developed entirely by undergraduate students, and was also the world's first CubeSat to utilize a Raspberry Pi Zero as its flight computer.
USTAR
thumb|left|USU's USTAR BioInnovations CenterAlong with the University of Utah, Utah State is an anchor in the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) program, which is aimed at optimizing the region's most marketable strengths to bolster Utah's high-tech economy. Eight USTAR teams currently perform research at Utah State as follows:
{| class="wikitable"
!USTAR research teams
!Description of research and markets
|-
|Arrhythmia Consortium
|Electrolyte imbalance in blood, coronary artery disease
|-
|Applied Nutrition
|Obesity, cardiovascular, diabetes, Alzheimer's
|-
|Intuitive Building
|Task-adaptive lighting solutions
|-
|Synthetic Bio-Manufacturing
|Pharmaceuticals, fuels, plastics
|-
|STORM
|Accurate weather prediction
|-
|Veterinary Diagnostics and Infectious Disease (VDID)
|Diagnostics and infectious disease
|-
|Space Weather
|Telecommunications, aviation, space
|-
|Wireless Power Transfer
|Wireless energy and power conversion
|}
Undergraduate research
USU's undergraduate research program was founded in 1975, making it the second program of its kind in the nation (after MIT).
Animal and veterinary sciences
Since 2022, Utah State has been home to the only college of veterinary medicine operating in Utah.
A team of USU and University of Idaho researchers were the first in the world to successfully clone an equine. The baby mule, named Idaho Gem, was born May 4, 2003.
USU researchers made headlines in 2011 after breeding transgenic goats. Utah State University professor Randy Lewis' "spider goats," the milk of which contains spider silk, are being studied for uses including human muscle tissue and lightweight bulletproof vests.
Research farms
Utah State owns and operates 14 separate research farms as well as several equestrian, agricultural, ecological, and botanical centers located throughout the state.
Open Courseware
Utah State University promotes the OpenCourseWare (OCW) Project (open and free university courses) and developed an open content management system for OCW called eduCommons. This open source content management system is one of the technology projects in the MIT OpenCourseWare Initiative. eduCommons has been adopted by several universities to create OCW sites.