A new study of all 50 states finds Utah is #3 overall in a ranking of 8 factors by U.S. News and World Report.
Utah’s high ranking in a number of the categories propelling it to the #3 spot behind Iowa and Minnesota. Utah’s top ranking was due to high marks for fiscal stability, economy and education.
Here’s how Utah’s rankings chook out according to the publication:
- Healthcare #10
- Education #3
- Economy #2
- Opportunity #35
- Infrastructure #8
- Crime & Corrections #14
- Fiscal stability #1
- Quality of life #22
Utah’s #3 education ranking is mostly due to a low level of debt at graduation for college students (#1), low tuition and fees for college students (#4) and a high graduation rate from two-year colleges (#6). Utah’s graduation fate from 4-year colleges is near the bottom at 44th.
The state’s Pre K-12 education system is ranked #20 overall, with scores in the lower half for college readiness (#34), high school graduation rate (#26) and preschool enrollment (#35).
While Utah is at the top of the rankings for the economy and fiscal stability, the state is very low for economic opportunity. Utah’s cost of living #20 and housing affordability is 40th. The state’s gender income and employment gaps are among the worst in the nation.
Utah’s quality of life is in the upper half, but lower than one would expect, mostly because of environmental issues, such as air quality (#46), pollution health risk (#36) and drinking water quality (#36).
