Utah’s ESA Initiative: Unlocking New Pathways to Opportunity

By Matthew Holloway |

A new report from the Common Sense Institute (CSI) Arizona has revealed striking trends in the homeschooling landscape and its financial implications, using Utah as a case study. Released on Wednesday, the research examines the economic and educational factors influencing families opting for home-based learning, especially in the context of Utah’s Utah Fits All (UFA) scholarship program—a notable but limited initiative compared to Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA).

Since the pandemic, a rising number of families have sought alternatives to conventional public education, as demand for homeschooling and microschooling grows across various demographics. The shift has transformed the profile of non-traditional students.

According to the CSI report, nearly 30,000 students in Utah applied for 10,000 available UFA scholarships in 2024, with around 80% of recipients directing funds toward homeschooling. The $8,000 scholarships have improved families’ access to educational resources, allowing for formal programs, online courses, and specialized instruction. Although representing a smaller subset of Arizona’s ESA program, Utah’s UFA serves as a valuable example.

One Utah parent, who is homeschooling seven children, noted that the UFA scholarship enabled their youngest child to access structured online courses previously unavailable to older siblings. “Nearly all respondents who shared feedback cited UFA as enabling greater ‘access to opportunities,'” the report underscores, emphasizing the program’s role in enhancing educational diversity.

Homeschooling costs in Utah vary significantly, ranging from $700 to $70,000 per year, depending on the chosen resources. Unlike traditional schools, homeschooling families often bear substantial expenses for curriculum materials and facility costs, which public funding usually does not cover unless part of initiatives like UFA.

Similar trends are seen in Arizona, where homeschooling has surged nationwide, with estimates suggesting that up to 11% of U.S. students were homeschooled as of 2020. In Utah, public school enrollment has dipped by 0.3% since its 2021 peak, translating to a loss of over 6,000 students primarily due to reduced kindergarten classes. Charter school enrollment in the state, however, increased by 1,500 students during the same period. The CSI report attributes this shift largely to dissatisfaction with traditional schooling options.

Despite Utah’s $10.2 billion investment in public education, approximately $1 billion is allocated to charter schools, leaving homeschooling families reliant on personal funds. The launch of the UFA program in 2024 has offered some financial respite and flexibility to these parents.

As programs like UFA in Utah and ESA in Arizona respond to a growing demand for tailored learning experiences, the study advocates for improved transparency regarding participation and costs. This would help better align such programs with the evolving needs of homeschooling families.

The ESA program’s projected costs will rise to $939 million in FY 2026, an increase from an estimated $882 million in FY 2025. This accounts for about 8% of Arizona’s K-12 education budget, signaling a stabilization after a period of rapid growth.

CSI Arizona concluded, “Over the past five years, the K-12 landscape in the United States has changed dramatically.” Fewer children are enrolled in traditional public schools compared to pre-pandemic times, while homeschooling numbers continue to rise.

The organization also noted the changing nature and costs associated with homeschooling. Many families who turned to homeschooling initially considered or were enrolled in the traditional school system. These families often seek rigorous educational experiences that incorporate diverse and formal coursework, which can be financially demanding, sometimes rivaling or exceeding the costs associated with traditional schooling.

CSI urged policymakers to thoughtfully evaluate the implications of regulations that differ based on school choice, especially those that underestimate the expenses tied to non-traditional learning options.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News.