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By Logan Stefanich
SALT LAKE CITY — Higher education has a "remarkable, transformational power" for students, University of Utah President Taylor Randall says — and data from a new report backs him up on the benefits to individuals and society.
The University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute on Wednesday convened a panel of four university presidents for a roundtable discussion focused on the value of higher education. Included in the group were Randall, Utah State University President Elizabeth Cantwell, Weber State University President Brad Mortensen and Davis Technical College President Darin Brush.
All four spoke to the benefits afforded through higher education. But don't take their word, alone.
A policy brief published by the Gardner Institute shows compelling data that backs these insights and contextualizes just how higher education is harnessed for both individual and societal well-being.
Individual benefits
"I think what I've always loved about higher education is it has this remarkable, transformational power in individuals," Randall said.
Aside from the economic health of individuals, education also correlates to physical health. Utahns with more years of education report higher rates of excellent, very good, or good health and higher rates of health care coverage, according to the report.
With all of these factors considered, the reports said people with a post-graduate degree or certificate are generally happier, healthier and more confident in their future.
"Numbers are great ... but it's really the ideas and the passion (for education) underneath it that are driving all of those results that you see," Randall said.
Economic and societal benefits
The economic benefits of higher education in Utah cannot be understated. The report shows the state's public higher education system supported an estimated 130,000 jobs and $8.3 billion in labor income in 2023, making it one of the largest employers in the state.
Additionally, public higher education contributes $11.3 billion to Utah's economy. The state's R1 research universities — the U. and USU — generate 82.6% of this economic contribution.