Utah’s investment in higher education pays significant dividends, according to a new policy brief from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The report highlights the state’s exceptionally well-trained workforce, robust economic performance and strong social fabric, all directly linked to a long-standing educational commitment. This emphasis on higher education extends far beyond the economic impacts, contributing to social well-being, civic engagement and innovation.
The report demonstrates the profound and multifaceted impact of Utah’s higher education system, which provides benefits well beyond campus, according to Geoffrey Landward, Utah Commissioner of Higher Education.
“It is astonishing the impact that higher education has, not only in things like income … but throughout the citizenry and the way of life that we have here in Utah,” he said in a press briefing Thursday. “I’m thrilled to see that when we talk about Utah and its accolades, Utah is often singled out as one of the highest performing states in many measures, economic growth, well-being, happiness, innovation. When I talk to colleagues in other states, the questions are, how is Utah doing it? What is the secret? What are they doing well? And what this report says to me is the secret is a strong, thriving, higher education system.”
The report’s lead author Andrea Brandley, Gardner’s senior education analyst, highlighted the powerful associations between a college degree and positive social, health and economic outcomes, demonstrating how education plays a crucial role in shaping individuals, communities and the state’s future. Increased earnings potential is just part of the story.
“We see significantly better health outcomes when looking across educational attainment for those with more education,” Brandley said. “We see a very similar pattern when looking at health care coverage. Ninety-seven percent of those who are college graduates have health care coverage compared to just under 90% of those with a high school diploma. That drops pretty significantly for those with less than a high school diploma, less than two thirds of them have healthcare coverage.”
Across Utah’s network of 16 public institutions of higher learning, some 240,000 students are enrolled, gaining the skills and knowledge to help them contribute to Utah’s workforce. A policy brief Gardner released last year showed that for every dollar Utah spent on higher education, three are returned in the form of increased tax revenue.
“Higher education benefits the economy,” Brandley said. “This is through workforce development, job and business creation and research and innovation.”
