Enrollment at public colleges and universities in the Utah System of Higher Education increased to more than 184,000 for the 2019-20 academic year. But, while enrollment increases have been consistent, there has been a hidden chasm widening beneath the surface at colleges and universities within USHE — a growing opportunity gap in postsecondary education.
Utah’s population is projected to grow to over 3.5 million by 2065 and the percent of minorities in Utah (ages 18-35) is expected to nearly double. The existing enrollment and completion gap in postsecondary education between minority populations and the white population at Utah’s public colleges and universities will only increase as the state’s demographic makeup changes and access is not addressed.