Utah has achieved the largest on-time graduation rate gains in the nation, according to the 2026 State Opportunity Index from the Strada Education Foundation. While the state saw its completion rate rise from 28% to 37%, national data indicates that graduates across the country continue to face challenges in securing employment that aligns with their degree levels.
National Graduation Trends
The 2026 Strada Index, now in its third year, evaluated all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across five key metrics: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment. The report highlights a significant trend in on-time completion, noting that thirteen states moved up a category this year due to these improvements.
Leading Graduation Gains
Utah's progress in graduation rates stands out on a national scale. According to the Strada Education Foundation report published on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Utah's on-time graduation rate increased from 28% to 37%. This represents the largest gain in the country, surpassing improvements seen in Hawaii, which rose from 34% to 41%, and Rhode Island, which increased from 47% to 52%.
Employment and Alignment Challenges
Despite these improvements in completion, the report notes a disconnect between education and employment. While the number of states moving to a higher category for employer alignment includes Utah, California, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Washington, D.C., the gains are attributed to a decline in entry-level job openings rather than improved access to career-leading programs. Consequently, the supply-demand ratio for high-wage jobs has risen because fewer openings are available.
Return on Investment and Jobs
The report also highlights a persistent gap in professional alignment, noting that college-level employment remains too low in every state. Currently, six in 10 recent bachelor's graduates work in jobs that typically require a degree, a figure that remains unchanged from the previous year. Nationally, the return on investment for public college graduates is estimated at 70% within 10 years, with bachelor's degree holders seeing a 73% return and associate degree holders seeing 60%.
Work-Based Learning Metrics
In terms of work-based learning, 43% of graduating seniors at public bachelor's institutions reported participating in at least one paid internship, co-op, practicum, research experience, or apprenticeship, which is unchanged from last year. A majority of these students reported such experiences in Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Virginia. At the associate level, participation in work-based learning saw a slight decline to 14%.
Affordability and Coaching
The Strada Index also assessed affordability and coaching. At the associate level, 35 states are rated as Leading and 13 are rated as Advanced. For bachelor's degrees, 15 states are rated as Leading or Advanced, while the majority of states remain in the Developing or Foundational categories. The report identified the area with the most room for growth as data regarding earnings and program-level graduate outcomes.
Upcoming Findings Presentation
The findings from the Strada Education Foundation will be presented at an event in Washington on Thursday. The index serves as a tool to measure how states are connecting college education to career opportunities and the financial viability of higher education for students.
