The Utah System of Higher Education announced record-breaking completions on October 9, 2025, for the 2025 academic year, highlighting significant growth in awards that align with Utah’s workforce demands.
Systemwide, Utah’s public colleges and universities awarded 61,265 graduates with 71,262 certificates and degrees—a 26% increase in awards and 22% increase in graduates since 2021.
“The true value of higher education is most clearly demonstrated when students graduate from their programs prepared to contribute to Utah’s economy and our communities,” said Geoffrey Landward, Utah Commissioner of Higher Education. “Our colleges and universities are fulfilling their missions by equipping students to graduate ready for rewarding careers, civic engagement and lifelong success. These outcomes are the most meaningful measure of higher education’s impact and reflect our commitment to deliver results that matter for students, employers and the state.”
| Award Breakdown, 2025 Academic Year | |
| Type | # of Awards |
| Certificates | 25,717 |
| Associate | 18,047 |
| Bachelor’s | 21,332 |
| Master’s | 5,175 |
| Doctorate | 490 |
| Professional | 501 |
These credentials open doors to higher earnings, career stability, greater economic mobility and better health outcomes, while directly addressing Utah’s workforce needs. Utah graduates see these advantages firsthand with median wages 10% higher for certificate holders, 19% higher for associate degree holders and 64% higher for bachelor’s degree holders five years after graduation compared to Utahns without a higher education credential.
| Top Certificate Fields by Number of Graduates | Top Bachelor’s Degree Fields by Number of Graduates |
| – Nursing Assistant/Aide – Truck/Bus Driving – EMT Paramedic – Electrician – Phlebotomy | – Registered Nursing – Psychology – Business Administration and Management – Finance – Computer Science |
Graduates in their early twenties made up a significant portion of this year’s class, with 32% aged 22–24 and 24% aged 25–29, successfully completing their programs and stepping into meaningful career opportunities.
While the 2025 graduates are just beginning careers in their fields of study, past data show strong results. One year after graduation, the majority of students from the 2021–22 cohort were employed in their fields, including 72% of certificate earners, 64% of associate graduates, 65% of bachelor’s and 68% of master’s. Employment outcomes were also strong for advanced degrees, with 36% of doctorate and 54% of professional degree recipients working in their fields one year out.
Community colleges play a critical role in this success, with 52% of their transfer students earning bachelor’s degrees at four-year institutions, significantly contributing to systemwide completions. These outcomes demonstrate the enduring role of Utah’s colleges and universities in equipping students for meaningful careers and opportunities ahead for this year’s record number of graduates.
“The historic number of graduates this year underscores our institutions’ dedication to provide accessible, high-quality education that prepares Utahns for success,” said Amanda Covington, Utah Board of Higher Education Chair. “From certificates that offer quick pathways to employment to advanced degrees that drive research and innovation, Utah colleges are equipping students to contribute to Utah’s thriving economy and communities.”
For more information, see USHE’s Completions and Graduate Workforce Outcomes dashboards.