Blog Archive - 2010
Women and Higher Education in Utah: A Glimpse at the Past and Present
Since 1940, Utah has consistently been above the national average in the percentage of adults holding bachelor’s degrees or higher. However, in the last two decades Utah has lost its advantage, and this is particularly true for women in the state. According to the Utah Foundation, the educational attainment of Utah women was higher than the national average.
The Value of Higher Education for Women in Utah
The critical need for college-educated individuals within the state of Utah has become an ongoing discussion in a variety of settings. In fact, a newly released study commissioned by the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) found that 99 percent of Utahns sampled believe that higher education is important; 82 percent say it is “very important.” Yet, in 2008 only 29 percent of Utahns 25 years and older held bachelor’s degrees or higher.
Economic Benefits for Women Completing College
Most women will work during some stage of their lives – whether by choice or by circumstance. The greater a woman’s tools to succeed, the greater her options for work that is both meaningful and that allows her to make more money – increasing her chances of living above the poverty line.