Utah is among the nation's leaders in educational attainment. In 2000, 87.7% of Utah residents had graduated from high school; 26.1% had four or more years of college.
The total enrollment for fall 1999 in Utah's public schools stood at 480,255. Of these, 329,185 attended schools from kindergarten through grade eight, and 151,070 attended high school. Minority students made up approximately 15% of the total enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools. Total enrollment was estimated at 475,269 in fall 2000 and is expected to reach 512,000 by fall 2005. Expenditures for public education in 2000/01 were estimated at $2,077,668. Enrollment in nonpublic schools in fall 2001 was 12,614.
As of fall 2000, there were 186,743 students enrolled in college or graduate school. In the same year Utah had 24 degree-granting institutions. Major public institutions include the University of Utah; Utah State University; and Weber State College. Brigham Young University (Provo), founded in 1875 and affiliated with the Latter-day Saints, is the main private institution. In 1997, minority students comprised 6.9% of total postsecondary enrollment.