Published Research

The Utah Data Research Center (UDRC) publishes original research products using cross-agency data from various state partners. Below are the published research products from UDRC's researchers. UDRC's latest research reports include the following:

A young man taking an exam in a classroom.
Prior Learning Assessments and Postsecondary Outcomes

This analysis features the postsecondary outcomes of Utah high school graduates who received AP and CLEP credits and their association with lowering the time-to-degree, reducing the risk of dropout, and increasing postsecondary GPAs.

(Published March 2025)

An empty board room table bathed in the mid afternoon sunlight.
Gender Wage Gap for Women of color in Utah

This research describes the gender wage gap experienced by women of color, decomposes the wage gap, and describes the differential labor market outcomes during the pandemic recession experienced by women of color.

(Published September 2024)

A loptop computer showing analytics.
Analysis - The Return on Investment of USHE Awards

This analysis shows the individaul and public return on invest of earning a USHE award.

(Published June 2024)

A desk with a notebook and laptop computer and cellphone
Comparing Median Quarterly Wages Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic Recession

This study demonstrates the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic Recession on workforce outcomes of USHE graduates.

(Published March 2024)

A desk top crowded with notepad, pens, coffee mug, glasses case, and a laptop computer
The Relationship Between Firm Size and Wages in Utah

An analysis of Utah college graduates' workforce outcomes, examining the relationship between workforce firm size and the wages paid to employees.

(Published November 2023)

College graduates throwing their caps into the air
Workforce Participation of Stacked Credential Awardees

An analysis of workforce participation among college students who receive successively higher awards from the same area of study.

(Published August 2023)

rows of empty desks in a classroom
Outcomes for K12 Students with Disabilities

This study reviews postsecondary and workforce outcomes for students with different types of disabilities.

(Published April 2023)

Black and white image of a mountain climber rappeling in the desert
Public Assistance and Postsecondary Education in Utah

This study reviews outcomes for public assistance recipients who earn postsecondary awards.

(Published January 2023)

empty chairs in a school auditorium
Workforce Outcomes for Utah Associate Degree Recipients

This report explores wages and employment industries for different types of associate degree recipients in Utah for one and five years after graduation.

(Published November 2022)

a notebook opened to a blank page and a pencil
Postsecondary Outcomes for Low-income Students

A survey of college outcomes for students who experience low-income disadvantage in high school.

(Published October 2022)

This photo shows the backs of high school students' heads as they are in a class and watching their teacher in the front of the room
Utah High School Course-Taking Patterns and Their Effects on College Readiness

This narrative explores the relationship between high school courses and postsecondary outcomes.

(Published March 2022)

High School students just graduated, wearing their graduation regalia
The Migration to College of Utah High School Graduates

This data narrative explores Utah's high school graduates (USBE) from 2013 - 2016 and analyzes their enrollment and migration patterns to Utah's colleges.

(Published March 2022)

Elementary school students and their teacher in a classroom
Area Deprivation and the P20 Pipeline

This narrative explores the relationship between Utah's P20W metrics and the overall social and economic health of a given area, known as area deprivation.

(Published December 2021)

a black and white photo of a child's hand holding the hand of an elderly individual
Intergenerational Poverty

The intergenerational poverty (IGP) research workgroup seeks to improve understanding of IGP in Utah. Published research is available in reports for 2021, 2020, and 2019.

(Published September 2021)

a single dollar bill lying on a table
Gender Wage Gap of Utah Workforce

This study aims to investigate the gender wage gap experienced by Utahns. Utah has consistently ranked with one of the widest gender wage gaps in the nation.

(Published September 2021)

The campus of Utah State University in Logan, Utah
Post-secondary Graduate Spending

This narrative explores the differences in income from individuals with technical certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and those with master’s degree or higher (2011 - 2018)

(Published May 2020)

A college graduate facing away from the camera, her black and purple graduation regalia visible
Workforce Retention of Graduates

This study aims to identify the characteristics that impact workforce retention following college graduation. This study also provides predictions on the workforce retention rates of USHE and UTech.

(Published February 2020)

students working collaboratively with open laptop computers
Outcomes for Working Students

As the cost of higher education rises, so does the prevalence of students working to manage the financial burdens of their schooling.

(Published August 2019)

A woman using a stationary belt sander in a workshop
Return on Investment of Career & Technical Education

Technical colleges have seen a significant growth in funding and certificates awarded since 2011. This report shows the amount of income returns based on type of education.

(Published July 2019)

an empty elementary school classroom
Achievement for Utahns from Preschool to the Workforce

This dashboard shows the outcomes of school preparation and achievement on postsecondary access and industry success.

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