Utah launches guaranteed college admissions program

Although the offer of a guaranteed admissions program in Utah appears generous, a Heritage Foundation visiting fellow warns that it is just another way for schools to garner tuition dollars.

The Utah System of Higher Education launched a guaranteed admissions initiative ensuring that every Utah high school student will be accepted into at least one of the state’s 16 public colleges or universities.

The initiative, called Admit Utah, was launched “to simplify the college admissions process and ensure guaranteed admission for all high school students to at least one of Utah's public colleges,” Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) director of communications Trisha Dugovic told The Center Square.

“Many of our colleges were already open admission, but students often didn't realize the full range of opportunities available,” Dugovic said. “With a single platform, students can now see every public college option in the state and choose the best fit for them.”

Dugovic told The Center Square that Admit Utah will not affect current students.

“This initiative aims to increase access to higher education and remove barriers for incoming students, offering real-time guidance and financial aid resources. It provides clearer paths and support throughout their educational journey,” she said.

Additionally, Dugovic said that “the program will soon integrate AI-driven tools to offer resources and information to students, including help with financial aid and real-time assistance.”

The University of Utah – which is a USHE institution – recently launched its own guaranteed admissions program called Utah Direct, University of Utah spokeswoman Rebecca Walsh told The Center Square.

“We believe both of these direct admissions programs [Utah Direct and Admit Utah] will give Utah’s high school seniors the certainty they need to choose the best college or university to fit their unique needs,” Walsh said.

Utah State University (USU) vice president for enrollment Katie Jo North told The Center Square that the school’s “hope is that more students will see USU as an option for higher education through the USHE guaranteed admission program.”

The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy visiting fellow Adam Kissel told The Center Square that guaranteed admissions is better regarded as a program for schools to increase tuition money.

“The perception here should be that Utah is scouring high schools for tuition dollars even for students at the margin who are unlikely to graduate,” Kissel said.

“Colleges should only admit students who are likely to graduate,” Kissel said. “If a college is not prepared to offer the support services to help a student finish college, the student should not be admitted.”

“Just look at graduation rates,” Kissel said. “Fewer, not more, students should be seeking bachelor's degrees.”

The Heritage Foundation is a think tank that aims to “formulate and promote public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense,” according to its website.

Kissel told The Center Square that Utah’s admission guarantee is “low bar.”

“A low-bar admission guarantee creates a perverse incentive to do no more than the minimum required,” Kissel said. “A high-bar admission guarantee can inspire students to achieve more.”

“The guarantee includes community and technical colleges, some or all of which are already essentially open-access. High school graduates already are virtually guaranteed admission somewhere in Utah. Some students with higher sights who don’t get admitted to a four-year program may feel misled,” Kissel said.

“Since guaranteed admission includes community and technical colleges, which include virtually open-access choices, the actual value of Utah’s postsecondary system should not change overall,” Kissel said.

Kissel also noted that “high-bar guaranteed admission to four-year programs could increase the perception of a degree from a Utah university. But that’s not the current project.”