Nearly 62% of Utahns between the ages of 25 and 64 possess a college degree or other quality post-secondary credential, surpassing Lumina Foundation’s nationwide attainment target of 60%.1 Utah does not currently have a statewide post-secondary educational attainment goal. However, in 2013, Governor Herbert adopted an ambitious 66% target by 2020.2 Between 2013 and 2020, Utah’s post-high school educational attainment increased by nearly five percentage points and three more by 2023.* This is a far cry from 66%, but an impressive improvement nonetheless.
Utah surpasses national attainment for the certificate, certification, associate degree, and bachelor’s degree categories. For example, 12.4% of Utahns possess a quality certificate or certification compared to only 7.8% of Americans.3 However, Utahns fall short of master’s degrees, doctorates, and professional degrees; 13.5% of Utahns between the ages of 25 and 64 possess an advanced degree compared to 14.5% of Americans.4
Expanding access to a variety of post-secondary education options will further benefit Utah’s economy, especially by increasing the share of Utahns with advanced degrees. Each level of educational attainment correlates with better employment outcomes; individuals with more post-secondary education are more likely to earn higher incomes and less likely to experience unemployment.5 Overall, higher levels of post-secondary education improve societal outcomes and increase productivity.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming Alternatives to Four-Year Degrees report to learn more about post-secondary education in Utah and the state’s variety of educational pathways.
* Please note that Lumina Foundation did not collect certificate and certification data for 2013; the certificate and certification data in these stacked bars are simply an average of 2020 and 2023.
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. They envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Their mission is to prepare people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy.
[1] Lumina Foundation, A Stronger Nation: Learning Beyond High School Builds American Talent, 2025 Utah Report, February 2025, p.3, https://www.luminafoundation.org/5db68fe8-c0f8-4603-a754-ee68e93e3c3c
[2] Wood, Benjamin, “66 by 2020: Utah has 7 years to reach college degree goal and top the nation,” Deseret News, April 28, 2013. https://www.deseret.com/2013/4/28/20518758/66-by-2020-utah-has-7-years-to-reach-college-degree-goal-and-top-the-nation/
[3] Lumina Foundation, A Stronger Nation: Learning Beyond High School Builds American Talent, 2025 National Report, February 2025, p. 2, https://www.luminafoundation.org/63b71c10-79d9-4f66-b508-114e283ce442
[4] Ibid.
[5] Utah Foundation, Bang for Your Buck: Which Utah Schools have the Best Return on Investment
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