The Utah System of Higher Education is made up of eight public degree-granting institutions and eight technical colleges located throughout the state. In the 2023-24 academic year, USHE institutions served nearly 240,000 students and awarded more than 66,000 certificates and degrees.

Earning a college credential increases a person’s chances of financial stability and better overall health, while also strengthening Utah’s economy and communities. Higher education in Utah offers numerous benefits to both individuals and the state.

Here’s a look at key facts and figures about higher education in Utah.

Access and Affordability

USHE is dedicated to simplifying college admissions and keeping higher education affordable. With institutions all over the state, low tuition rates, and many scholarships available, there’s a pathway for any student to achieve their education goals.

• In 2024, Utah launched AdmitUtah.org, a streamlined admissions website that allows students to easily apply to any of Utah’s public colleges for free. Students are guaranteed admission to at least one college, regardless of their GPA. This simplifies the admission process and makes college in Utah more accessible than ever before.
• Utah’s public colleges and universities offer a wide range of scholarships to support students from all backgrounds. There are also many state aid programs to support technical education students, adult learners, veterans, recent high school graduates, and others, making higher education more accessible.

Workforce Alignment

Utah’s public colleges play a vital role in strengthening the state’s workforce. Through industry partnerships and career-focused programs, graduates are prepared to meet the demands of Utah’s high-wage, high-growth industries.

• Utah public colleges awarded over 66,000 degrees and certificates in the 2023-24 academic year, with 72% in high-yield programs. The state’s institutions work closely with industry leaders in tech, healthcare, aerospace, and more to equip graduates with the skills needed for Utah’s evolving job market. 
• It is estimated that 71% of jobs will require postsecondary education by 2031 (Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce). To meet this demand, Utah’s colleges and universities have designed programs that align with high-wage, high-growth industries to supply Utah’s workforce with skilled talent. 

Financial Success

Higher education is one of the leading pathways to financial success. Graduates from Utah colleges earn more than those without a credential, with wage earnings increasing alongside education levels, and many programs that lead directly to high-paying careers.

• When compared to individuals who don’t earn a college credential, USHE graduates earn, on average, 10% more with a certificate, 19% more with an associate degree, and 64% more with a bachelor’s degree (UDRC).
• Top-earning programs based on five-year median wages include (USHE):
  
  • Certificate in Plumbing & Related Water Supply Services $88,327/year
  • Computer-related programs (associate, bachelor’s, master’s) $101,404/year average.
• Higher levels of education are linked to increased lifetime earnings (UDRC).
  • The typical graduate earns 79% to 167% higher wages one year after graduation compared to their pre-graduation income.

State Economy

Utah’s public colleges drive individual success while also fueling statewide economic growth. USHE colleges support employment throughout the state and prepare skilled graduates for the workforce.

• USHE’s research universities (the University of Utah and Utah State University) play a key role in the state’s economic growth, providing 83% of the System’s total economic contribution (Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute).
• The unemployment rate for Utahns with a bachelor’s degree or higher is almost two percentage points lower than that of those without any higher education credential (Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute).

And more!

Higher education strengthens lives and communities. Utahns with college credentials experience better health, more access to care, and higher levels of civic engagement, from voting to volunteering in their communities.

• USHE graduates report better health outcomes than Utahns without college credentials, including higher rates of excellent health and better healthcare access. In 2023, approximately 92% of Utah adults with a college degree rated their general health as good, very good, or excellent (Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute).
• USHE graduates show high levels of civic engagement, including voting and volunteerism. In 2023, 78% of Utahns with a higher education credential reported always or often voting in state elections_, compared to 53% of those without a credential (Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute).