Utah Ranks Among States with Lowest Student Loan Debt, Driven by Innovative Degree Programs
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Utah college students carry one of the lightest average student loan burdens in the nation, according to a recent report, a position bolstered by the state’s push for accelerated, three-year bachelor’s degree programs. The findings come as states grapple with the growing crisis of student debt.
A WalletHub study evaluating the “best and Worst States for Student Debt” ranked states based on “Student-Loan Indebtedness” and “Grant and Student Work Opportunities,” utilizing 12 weighted metrics. The analysis considered factors like average student debt, default rates, income-driven repayment plan enrollment, and the availability of financial aid and employment opportunities.
Utah’s proactive approach to streamlining higher education is a key factor in its favorable ranking. State lawmakers and educators have championed three-year bachelor’s degree programs as a cost-effective alternative to the conventional four-year model.
“I do think there’s a way to streamline the process and get a student graduated thru the system in three years versus four years; 90 credit hours versus 120 credit hours,” Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz told the deseret News last fall.
Several utah institutions are already implementing these accelerated programs.Weber State University offers a bachelor of applied politics, beliefs and economics requiring 90-91 credits, while Utah Valley University has proposed similar accelerated degrees in fields like emergency services supervision and professional advancement. Ensign College, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Westminster University also offer accelerated bachelor’s programs, including in nursing.
This year,the Utah Legislature passed House Bill 265,dubbed the “strategic reinvestment legislation.” the bill limits bachelor’s degrees at public institutions to 120 credit hours, with allowances for programs requiring additional credits for accreditation or licensing.
The push for shorter degree pathways reflects a broader effort to address the financial challenges facing students and ease the burden of student loan debt in Utah.
