Julien Reese

According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data, Utah women earn slightly more undergraduate degrees than Utah men (23.4% vs. 22.6%). However, Utah has the largest educational gap among higher degree holders in the United States. Nationally, 13% of women and 12.4% of men have a graduate degree, but in Utah only 9.3% of women have a graduate degree compared to 14.1. man’s%.

To better understand this disparity, a research team at Utah State University, led by Sojung Lim, Associate Professor of Sociology, and in collaboration with the USU Utah Woman & Leadership Project, identified resources and resources for women pursuing undergraduate or college studies. We collected quantitative and qualitative data investigating the challenge. graduate degree. This report is the first of two of hers and summarizes the results of quantitative data.

“The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges Utah women face in pursuing higher education,” said Susan Madsen, founding director of UWLP. “Understanding this will help us learn how to better support women in obtaining higher education, and consequently other areas of inequality, including the gender pay gap.”

The study results were obtained from a survey of Utah women aged 18 and older enrolled in colleges/colleges pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. Participants were recruited through the University of Utah Registrar and Alumni Office, as well as social media platforms and professional networks. In June 2022, 907 women responded to the survey.

Participant demographics exhibited Utah-specific characteristics that may influence women’s educational attainment. For example, more than one in four of her undergraduates, almost half of her graduate students are married, and one in five of her females have children. More than one in five of her women are employed full-time, and almost half are employed part-time. In addition, women in graduate programs were more racially and religiously diverse than women in undergraduate programs.

When asked why they went to college, about 30% said they wanted to learn the skills needed for their desired job. One in four of her respondents said she felt she needed a bachelor’s degree regardless of her career or life goals, and about 17% said it would increase their potential income. chose the university.

I was asked if I planned to go to graduate school to better understand the educational aspirations and goals of Utah women. Nearly half said they were considering it.

“This result is somewhat surprising given that Utah has the highest gender gap in higher education of all states,” said Lim. “It suggests that challenges and circumstances, rather than ambitions and desires, are driving the gap.”

The study showed that women in graduate programs were older and more diverse in terms of race/ethnicity and religious affiliation compared to women in undergraduate programs. In addition, women in graduate programs were more likely to be married/cohabiting and to have at least one child. Graduate students had higher employment rates than undergraduates and were more likely to have regular full-time jobs. Furthermore, the proportion of women who rated their health status as “good, very good, or very good” was slightly higher among graduate students than among undergraduates.

Women in undergraduate programs with clear career goals seem to recognize the benefits of a graduate degree and how they can improve their careers and financial prospects. Conversely, people with unclear career goals and strong family orientation are less interested in graduate school. Also, the financial and time burden associated with graduate programs is a major barrier.

Half of Utah women in tertiary education are considering leaving school due to financial hardship. Many undergraduate women did not consider going to graduate school due to cost and time constraints. These concerns may be alleviated if women understand that many graduate students receive financial support from the program through assistantships and fellowships.

Another challenge for Utah women is learning how to manage family responsibilities and education. This can be addressed by making students aware of childcare services and offering mentoring programs aimed at students with children.

The final challenge was that women did not fully understand their career goals and paths to get there. Undergraduates who are less likely to go on to graduate school often lack knowledge about graduate school—what it entails, the resources available, the potential benefits, and the return on investment. rice field.

“Through this research, we recognize the importance of raising awareness and addressing barriers early in secondary and undergraduate education so that more women can consider and plan for advanced degrees. I did,” said Lim. “Institutions of higher education, government agencies, businesses, and individuals can innovate in ways that help women reach higher education, both financially and emotionally, so more women can complete advanced degrees. Taking action will not only reduce the gender gap in higher education in Utah, but will also make a difference in other areas of gender inequality in the state, such as the gender pay gap.”

Additional report author is Claudia Wright, USU Ph.D. Candidate, and Emily S. Darowski, Associate Director, Utah Women & Leadership Project. Click here to view the full report with references. For more information on the UWLP program and projects, please visit utwomen.org.