USU has selected the seven-fellow degree-granting institutions within the Utah System of Higher Education to serve as its regional peers. USU shares common metrics under the USHE performance metrics which makes for efficient comparison on key state-wide indicators with these institutions.
State Peer Institutions
Completion
Timely Completion Rate
The percentage of students who complete within 150% of time
Current Status
Source: Utah System of Higher Education Note: “Other Universities” includes public colleges and universities within the Utah System of Higher Education.
USU is committed to ensuring students achievement. We know that 91% of students who graduate say they were able to achieve their educational goals. We are also pleased that our primary measure of student achievement, the USHE Timely Completion Rate, is at an all-time high of 58% and climbing. USU now has one of the highest student completion rates within the USHE system, offering Utahns a strong academic experience and a higher likelihood of graduating compared to other in-state universities. Students who choose USU benefit from a supportive environment, robust programs, and a commitment to student success. USU remains a top choice for students seeking quality education and successful degree completion within Utah.
For more information on USU’s efforts to increase student completion visit USU's Student Achievement Collaborative website.
Retention
New Student Retention Rate
The percent of first-time undergraduate students who enrolled the following fall term
Current Status
Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)Note: USU’s peer institutions do not offer associate degrees. USU is working on breaking out the associate degree students to provide a more accurate benchmark.
USU is committed to supporting our students through to completion. We recognize that too many students leave the university after only the first year. A study on completion patterns within Utah public universities identified six factors that depress graduation rates. These factors affect all Utah universities and appear to be Utah-specific. They are: (1) large patterns of delayed matriculation, (2) high proportion of students attending part-time, (3) a continuously hot labor market over a long period of time, (4) higher rates of mental health challenges, (5) lower rates of financial aid, and (6) lower high school graduation requirements.
Many USU students start college later because of church mission service. Students serve these missions after high school graduation but before attending university. According to the study, delaying just one-year after high school and lowers the likelihood of graduating by 35%. We also know that students report financial difficulties as the primary reason for stopping out. The State of Utah is the 11th lowest in the country in providing state financial aid to students.
USU remains committed to supporting students and increasing student retention rates. We know that the single greatest factor that will increase student retention is ensuring that students have a strong connection to the university and a high-impact learning environment. USU leadership recognized that student achievement required a systems-based approach that could coordinate better to improve the student experience. From this insight, the Student Achievement Collaborative was born. For more information on USU’s efforts to increase student completion visit USU Collaborative
Workforce Alignment
High-Wage, High-Demand Graduates
Percent of graduates in a program area aligned with high-wage and high employer demand occupations in Utah
Current Status
This metric is produced by the Utah System of Higher Education through a mapping technique matching occupational wage and demand data to academic programs.
Source: Utah System of Higher Education Note: “Other Universities” includes public colleges and universities within the Utah System of Higher Education.
An important aspect for many USU students is the ability to find employment after graduation. Over 80% of USU graduates earn degrees in high-wage, high-demand fields a significant marker of how well USU aligns its programs with the needs of the Utah workforce. These positive outcomes aren’t just numbers; they represent real stories of students launching careers that change their lives. The top fields include mechanical engineering, computer science, education and teaching, economics, social work, and many others.
For more information on how USU helps students design a career, visit the USU Career Design Center website.