Utah Higher Education Statistics and Facts
Utah is recognized as the home of several prestigious universities that are well-known throughout the nation. The following statistics and facts reflect the wide range of higher education opportunities that are available to students in the Beehive State.
Options
Universities in Utah include several private, state, community and theological institutions. Prospective students can also find colleges that specialize in particular fields of study, such as medical or business education.
The state capital features an especially extensive variety of higher education options. About 18 colleges and universities maintain campuses in Salt Lake City. Some of them prioritize very specific subjects like massage therapy or skin care.
Assistance
Several organizations supply financial aid to people who want to attend college in Utah. They include a state agency and a trust fund that benefits Navajo residents. The state also sponsors a savings program for future students.
Tuition
Despite this assistance, about five out of 10 students graduate with educational loans to pay off. Each student owed an average of around $22,400 in 2013, according to the Standard-Examiner. This is around $6,000 less than the national statistic.
When they pay tuition, students in Utah fund almost half of college operating expenses. State agencies cover most of the remaining cost. Such expenses include professor salaries, building maintenance, heating, cooling and lab equipment purchases.
Housing
Many undergraduates commute to school; the latest data shows that only about 2,100 Salt Lake City students share rooms in college housing. This figure increased by 435 in a 10-year period.
Degrees
During the five years ending in 2013, Utah's institutes of higher learning awarded certificates and degrees at an increasingly rapid pace. The total went up by 18 percent, and bachelor's degrees saw the fastest growth.
By percentage, more Utahans have earned university degrees than Americans in general. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that slightly more than 30 percent of Utah residents over 24 have four-year or better degrees.
Even more people attend college Salt Lake City. Among local adults who are at least 25 years old, about 41 percent possess a bachelor's degree at minimum. This figure exceeds the national average by 12.4 percent.
The facts and statistics on Utah's higher education system show that quality instruction, financial assistance and a wide assortment of degree options have helped make it possible for many Utahans to graduate. At the same time, affordability remains a challenge for some residents.