The Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project released a new research brief on Sept. 4, 2026, providing an updated analysis of how educational attainment among Utah women has changed over time and how it compares to national trends. This release is part of a broader, multi-year research initiative to identify challenges facing women and girls in the state, following foundational studies conducted in 2023 and 2024.
New Educational Attainment Data
The new report, titled "Educational Attainment of Utah Women: A 2026 Update," was released by the Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP). As reported by ETV News, the publication offers an in-depth analysis of shifting education levels for women within the state, allowing for a comparison against broader national trends.
A Multi-Year Research Initiative
This 2026 update is part of a larger, ongoing research effort. According to a Jan. 22, 2026, white paper from the UWLP, researchers began a statewide study in the fall of 2023 to establish a baseline for public awareness and attitudes regarding the challenges facing Utah women and girls. This foundational work led to the publication of 20 short research summaries in early 2024.
Research Methodology and Scope
The UWLP has utilized a consistent methodology for its recent data collection. In the fall of 2025, the project administered its third survey to gather new data. The research included a representative sample of 1,945 respondents and a convenience sample of 3,267 respondents, totaling 5,212 Utahns. The survey, which was approved by Utah State University's Institutional Review Board, utilized an 83-item instrument and focused on several key areas, including entrepreneurship, workforce development, STEM fields, and leadership development.
Supporting Statewide Initiatives
The research is designed to support the efforts of A Bolder Way Forward (BWF), a statewide initiative aimed at ensuring Utah girls, women, and their families thrive. The study examines 18 specific 'spokes' across five overarching categories: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and wellbeing, and the workplace. The workplace category specifically investigates topics such as the gender pay gap, childcare and pre-K programs, organizational strategies, and workforce development.
Understanding Community Belonging
Prior to the focus on education and workforce development, the UWLP conducted extensive qualitative research into the lived experiences of diverse groups. From August 2024 through May 2025, the project hosted seven all-female focus groups along the Wasatch Front to understand how various communities experience belonging in Utah. These groups included women identifying as Asian, Black, Hispanic/Latina, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and Middle Eastern.
Challenges to Belonging
The findings from those focus groups, detailed in a Nov. 20, 2025, white paper, highlighted recurring themes such as being "the only" woman or person of color in specific settings, feeling overlooked or invisible, and the need for intentional relationship building. Participants reported feeling isolated in environments where they were the only person with certain appearances or customs, describing the experience as a form of culture shock.
Future Objectives
The UWLP aims to use these findings to help leaders and community members adopt initiatives that increase belonging for all Utahns. By exploring the interconnectedness of these challenges, the project seeks to expand Utah's capacity for community and enhance the collective well-being of neighborhoods and the state.
