Utahns with better educations fare better in jobs, life and family, new poll shows

LEHI — Utahns who have a higher education degree or certification have a better income level, feel happier, have a better family life and use less public assistance than those who do not have a post-secondary education.

According to a new Dan Jones & Associates poll released Wednesday, Utahns with a degree or certification have an income level 75 percent higher than those who do not, and are also two-and-a-half times more likely to hold salaried positions.

"Over the course of their work life, students who receive a baccalaureate degree earn about $650,000 more than high school graduates — a significant increase over those who end their education right after high school," said Commissioner of Higher Education Bill Sederburg. "The benefits of a college degree extend beyond monetary value too, as individuals with college degrees experience increased career opportunities, better health care benefits and overall a deeper quality of life."

The poll surveyed 1,200 Utahns, evaluating them on highest level of education, degree type, household income, current employment status, job type, employment benefits, civic engagement, use of government assistance and family education.

The key findings in the poll were that Utahns with higher education were more likely to fare better in today's turbulent economy, have a happier life and are 50 percent more likely to vote and more likely to donate to local charities and volunteer their time than those without a degree or certification.

The poll shows that nearly one quarter of Utahns with no degree or certification have experienced more than two years of total unemployment, compared with only 9 percent of those with a post-secondary education.

Across the board, people polled said their post-secondary education has had a positive effect on key factors related to their lives and families compared to those without. Degree and certificate holders are more likely to report personal happiness, to have a better perception of their relationships, to characterize themselves as having good families, and to report having better health than those without a degree or certification.

The poll was commissioned by Prosperity 2020, a business-led group consisting of several Utah chambers of commerce, higher education officials, state economic development experts, the United Way and the Utah Technology Council.