Founded in 1888, Snow College is one of the oldest two-year state colleges in the Western United States. It is a dynamic institution devoted to retaining the best of the past and answering the demands of changing times. Snow College has an important place in the history of education in Utah. Its story is an integral part of the long struggle to establish schools - first in the Utah Territory and then in the State. In the true sense of the phrase, Snow College is a pioneer school.

On November 5, 1888, forty years after the first settlers came to Ephraim and eight years before Utah was admitted to the Union, Snow College began as the Sanpete Stake Academy founded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints. Twelve years later in 1900, the school was renamed Snow Academy in honor of the then-President of The LDS Church, Lorenzo Snow, and his cousin Erastus Snow, who was instrumental in helping settle the Sanpete Valley. At the close of the academy era in 1917, when new educational demands were made on the school, its name was changed to Snow Normal College. With the rise of the American‑created junior college system the name was again changed, for a brief period (1922‑1923), to Snow Junior College. In 1923 it was simplified to Snow College, for which it has been known ever since.

In addition to offering the traditional two‑year, pre‑university education, Snow has offered applied technology courses throughout its 140+ year history. In 1998, the Utah State Legislature merged the former Sevier Valley Applied Technology Center, located in Richfield, with Snow College. The Richfield campus adds a strong program of technical education offerings and a growing number of academic courses to complement the offerings on the Ephraim campus. Today, Snow College is a state college offering liberal arts and technical education programs, online degrees, short‑term training, various Associate Degrees and even two four-year Baccalaureate Degrees. Vital student support services and opportunities for involvement are important aspects of the Snow College experience.

Over the years, the emphasis on quality has made Snow College the intellectual, artistic, cultural, educational and athletic center of Central Utah. Encouraged by Snow’s high academic standards and dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, thousands of graduates have gone on to earn higher degrees at colleges and universities throughout the country. Thousands of others have graduated from Snow fully prepared to find employment in a wide variety of fields, and to take their place in personal and professional life. Today, as in the past, the best evidence of Snow’s success is its graduates.

Snow College aspires to be a national leader in providing accessible, affordable, high quality and flexible education for rural and other underserved populations. Our competitive advantage is a personalized, high touch experience provided for all students.