Higher Education Attainment
Relative to Utah men, Utah women appear to be more likely either to stop their educational journey after high school or to leave college uncompleted, and they are considerably less likely to earn advanced degrees. 14% of Utah men earn graduate degrees, compared to 12% of men nationally; Utah women, however, earn graduate degrees at rates well below the national average (9% and 13%, respectively). Lack of educational attainment can have lifelong detrimental effects (e.g., lower earning potential). Utahns who have completed degrees report a higher quality of life, and it is critical to understand genderrelated educational disparities and to address them through tailored guidance and support systems to ensure all Utah students have an equal chance to thrive.
A Bolder Way Forward’s Higher Education Attainment Spoke is working with partners across the state to help women and girls aspire to and have access and opportunity to complete postsecondary education at all levels, no matter their backgrounds or previous life experiences. Utahns can help increase the participation and completion rates of women at the certificate, associate, bachelor, and graduate levels by utilizing the resources below. Individuals, organizations, and communities can also take specific actions to help. To get engaged, email the UWLP Community Connector (Amy Anderson).
Key Resources
Informational Video
Resource Kit
Research Brief
What Utahns Need to Know
Spoke Podcast
Bold Goals
Through collective impact and systems thinking, Utah can improve things by working towards the following goals:
- Increase the college-going rate of female high school grads, including the enrollment of first-time, degree-seeking female students and the enrollment of women in technical college certificate programs. [Metric Dashboard]
- Increase FAFSA completion rates in Utah. [Metric Dashboard]
- Increase the number of degrees and certificates awarded to women, including graduate degrees. [Metric Dashboard]
- Increase the number of high school young women participating in concurrent or dual enrollment. [Metric Dashboard]
- Increase Utahns' agreement (understanding and perceptions) in the following areas: [Metric Dashboard]
- In addition to improving economic opportunity, higher education is also important for intellectual growth, personal development, and life-long societal contributions.
- College is worth the financial investment.
- It is important for more Utah women to complete graduate degree programs.
- t is important for all those considering attending college to apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA).
Eric Dahlin (Sociology Professor, BYU)
Mallory Santa Cruz (VP - Community Manager, JPMorgan Chase)
Stefanie Adams (Director - Regional Pathways, UVU)
Fiona Hayes (Co-Founder/CEO, VioewPoint Simulations)
Maile Marriott (Research & Education Consultant)
Kara Vail (Upward Bound Program Manager, Univ. of Utah)
What You Can Do
Encourage FAFSA completion; talk to the prospective college students and families you know about FAFSA and offer to help them complete it.
Community Partners
The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is comprised of 16 public colleges and universities. Along with data and research, priorities include assisting students in completing degrees and certificates quicky and affordably, student safety, and K-12 outreach.
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) exercises general control and supervision over the public education system in Utah. This includes establishing educational core standards, educator licensing policies, and high school graduation requirements.
my529 is Utah's official educational savings plan, which helps people save for qualified educational expenses. 529 accounts feature tax advantages and are designed to encourage saving for future qualified education expenses.
Envision Utah is a nonprofit that brings business, government, and community leaders together. Education efforts are focused on understanding, removing barriers to opportunity, and supporting practical solutions that help every student succeed.
Ken Garff for Good serves every school district in the state of Utah with education-based programs to provide pathways to college or careers. Programs are focused on literacy, technology and mentoring programs, and exposure to scholarships and careers.
Promise Partnership Utah aligns and provides resources to improve outcomes and reduce disparities. Priorities include kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading, eighth-grade math, high school graduation, and postsecondary readiness and completion.
Women Who Succeed is a program of the nonprofit Ken Garff for Good, providing opportunities for girls and young women to grow confidence and leadership skills. They offer mentoring, scholarships, internships, and networking opportunities.
The Live Your Dream Foundation offers scholarships to support single-mother families and academic pursuits. Dedicated to helping families thrive, they foster a sense of belonging through mentorship and community building.
Based in Logan with Extension campuses across the state, USU is Utah's student-centered land-grant university.
Located in the Huntsman School of Business at USU, Huntsman Hive is a hub for student information, activities, and resources.
Located in the heart of Utah County, Utah Valley University is committed to student success.
Located in Provo, Utah, Brigham Young University is an educational institution founded, supported, and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Located in St. George, Utah, Utah Tech offers programs in humanities, arts, education, health sciences, business, and STEM.
The University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City and is the state's flagship university and only academic medical center.
Headquarted in Utah, Western Governors University is the nation’s leading nonprofit institution providing accessible high-quality education online.
SLCC serves students across 8 campuses in Utah, including online classes and technical certificates and degrees.
Located in Cedar City, Utah, SUU offers over 150 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs.
Snow College has campuses in Ephram and Richfield, Utah and offers hands-on learning and personalized educational pathways.
Bridgerland Technical College delivers competency-based, employer-guided career and technical education to both secondary and post-secondary students in Cache Valley, Utah.
MTech offers world-class technical education with campuses across the Wasatch Range.
Ogden-Weber Technical College has two campuses that offer over 300 technical skills courses.
Southwest Tech is a local, accredited technical college serving Iron, Beaver, Garfield, and Kane Counties.
Tooele Technical College provides competency-based and accessible training to help youth and adults meet the needs of Utah employers.
Uintah Basin Technical College offers practical education experiences in Roosevelt, Utah, with an extension campus in Vernal.