David L. Buhler, Commissioner of Higher EducationUtah Financial Aid Directors Forum
March 15, 2013
Overview of Higher Education in Utah
Research Universities•University of Utah (Flagship)
–medical school, law school, pharmacy school, etc.
•Utah State University (Land Grant)– includes regional campuses
Regional Universities•Weber State University•Utah Valley University•Southern Utah University (Liberal Arts
& Sciences)
•Dixie State University
Community Colleges•Snow College•Salt Lake Community College
Utah’s Eight Public Colleges & Universities
Fall 2012 Enrollment
Institution Budget-Related FTE Total Headcount
U of U 26,966 32,398
USU 19,296 28,786
WSU 14,233 26,681
SUU 6,193 8,297
Snow 3,306 4,599
DSU 6,287 8,863
UVU 19,117 31,556
SLCC 15,361 30,112
USHE Total 110,760 171,292
Geographic Makeup of Utah College Students
Institution Home County
% from Home
County% Other
Utah% Out of
State/U.S.
University of Utah Salt Lake 48% 24% 28%
Utah State University Cache 16% 59% 25%
Weber State University Weber 34% 58% 8%
Southern Utah University Iron 26% 53% 21%
Snow College Sanpete 20% 74% 6%
Dixie State University Washington 62% 24% 14%
Utah Valley University Utah 64% 25% 11%
Salt Lake Community Salt Lake 70% 15% 15%
Source: IPEDS, Utah Data Alliance
Higher Ed Fuels the State’s Economy
2012 Degrees & Credentials• Certificates; 1,985• Associates: 10,641• Bachelors: 14,467• Masters, PhD, Prof: 4,246
Space Inventory• 31,981,492 square feet (67% of state inventory)
Funding per FTE• Tuition = 51%• Taxes = 49%
Structure of the Utah System of Higher Education
Board of Board of RegentsRegents
Office of Office of the the
CommissioCommissionerner
Utah Higher Utah Higher Education Education Assistance Assistance AuthorityAuthority
Utah Utah Educational Educational
Savings Savings PlanPlan
CommissionCommissionerer
GovernoGovernor r
AppointAppointss
Senate Senate ApproveApprove
ss Vice ChairDan
Campbell
ChairBonnie Jean
Beesley
Commissioner
Dave Buhler
Structure of USHE
State Board of Regents
19 members 16 appointed by the Governor 3 non-voting (State Board of Ed, UCAT) Geographic diversity required
State Board of RegentsResponsibilities
Presidential appointments & evaluations Program & mission approval Unified Budget Request
Prioritize for system with input from presidents Prioritize Capital Facilities Request
Set tuition Statewide policies Statewide programs
Scholarships Financial aid Access & outreach
Strategic Planning Implementation of Utah’s 66% goal
Economic & Social Benefits of
Higher Education
Median Wage Unemployment Rate
Sources: American Communities Survey 2009, Utah Department of Workforce Services
Learn & Earnmedian wages by degree earned
Who pays the taxes?Utah population 25 & over by education level & state tax contribution
Higher Education Means Higher Income in Utah
Degree Median Earnings
Less than High School Diploma $24,183
High School Diploma $32,176
Some College, No Degree $37,126
Associate’s Degree $41,251
Difference in Earnings, HS v. AA/AS $9,075
Bachelor’s Degree $50,381
Difference in Earnings, AA/AS v. BA/BS $18,205
Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, 2010
Societal Benefits of Higher Education
• Greater civic engagement
• Better health
• Less reliance on public support programs
• Improved parenting
• Greater job satisfaction
Utah’s 66% Goal
• We must reverse current trends
• Among US adults 65 & older, Utah ranks 6th in associate’s degree or higher
• Among US adults age 25-34, Utah ranks 23rd
• By 2020, 66% of jobs in Utah will require post-secondary education.
• Currently, only 43% of adults in Utah hold a higher education degree or certificate.
• The Governor & the Board of Regents have set a goal that 66% of adults will hold a higher education credential by 2020.
• We must increase & certificates awarded by 4% each year to reach the goal.
• Utah must adopt a bold, new approach of investment & innovation to reach the goal.
Utah’s 66% Goal
Legislative Support of
Higher Education
Higher Education Funding Trends
• $18 million for Mission Based Funding• Partial funding of compensation• Expansion of University of Utah medical school• Dixie State University transition• Utah Valley University classroom building• Support of Regents’ and New Century scholarships• Removal of cap on tuition waivers
– To address impact of LDS missionary age change
• What’s missing?– Need based financial aid (Success Stipends)
Results of 2013 Legislative Session
Questions?