Utah is home to 16 public colleges and universities — institutions that serve as engines of economic opportunity, civic formation, and intellectual discovery for students and communities across the state. Over four consecutive legislative sessions, the Utah House of Representatives has worked in close partnership with our university presidents, the Commissioner of Higher Education, the State Senate, and the governor to make Utah’s system of higher education stronger, more accessible, and more responsive to the needs of students and employers alike.

We have worked with our universities to trim administrative costs and reinvest the savings into expanding student opportunities. We have refocused our colleges and universities on their core mission of helping students gain the skills and knowledge they need to improve their livelihoods, meet employers’ workforce needs, and become well-rounded citizens. Under the leadership of the Board of Higher Education, we’re also reigning in the costs of higher ed. After adjusting for inflation, tuition and fees at Utah colleges and universities have actually decreased since 2020 — a major reversal of a decades-long trend. Students and taxpayers who invest time and money in Utah’s higher education system can be assured they’re getting a strong return on that investment. The results are measurable, and Utah is building a model the nation should watch.