Educational achievement represents the pinnacle of learning a person has achieved, distinct from their current level of schooling. Undoubtedly, a robust education serves as a passport to a brighter tomorrow. Typically, as one progresses in their educational journey, their earning capacity surges while the spectre of unemployment diminishes.
This list aims to showcase the top 50 U.S. States, meticulously ranked by the educational attainments of individuals aged 25 and above. The list will be segmented into three clear divisions, encompassing those with a High School Diploma or above, those holding a Bachelor's Degree or above, and those having an Advanced Degree.
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50 U.S. States By Educational Attainment
In the year 2021, a remarkable 90.3% of Americans aged 25 and above had completed high school. Massachusetts boasted the highest rate at an impressive 96.1%, while California marked the lowest at 84.4%. However, in Puerto Rico, this figure dipped even further, resting at 79.6%.
Turning to a bachelor's degree or higher educational attainment in 2019, 34.9% of Americans over 25 had achieved this milestone. Massachusetts, with a notable 50.6%, while West Virginia lagged at 24.1%, marking the lowest figure. It's worth noting that the District of Columbia significantly outstripped any U.S. state with a striking 63.0%.
The list ranks the highest percentage of people With a High School Diploma or higher:
| State or Territory | Population over the age of 25 | With a High School Diploma or higher | With a Bachelor's Degree or higher | With an Advanced Degree | |||
| Population | Pct | Population | Pct | Population | Pct | ||
| Massachusetts | 4,934,755 | 4,495,563 | 96.10% | 2,300,423 | 50.62% | 1,049,675 | 28.27% |
| Pennsylvania | 9,161,945 | 8,418,661 | 95.89% | 3,164,985 | 36.54% | 1,277,263 | 16.94% |
| Vermont | 462,705 | 437,478 | 94.55% | 205,621 | 44.44% | 85,248 | 18.42% |
| Maine | 1,015,078 | 959,533 | 94.53% | 365,305 | 35.99% | 140,318 | 13.82% |
| New Hampshire | 1,008,318 | 952,238 | 94.44% | 405,815 | 40.98% | 158,459 | 15.72% |
| Montana | 766,758 | 723,450 | 94.35% | 266,820 | 34.80% | 95,443 | 12.45% |
| Minnesota | 3,898,742 | 3,669,895 | 94.13% | 1,516,426 | 38.90% | 522,543 | 13.40% |
| North Dakota | 506,739 | 474,432 | 93.62% | 160,847 | 31.74% | 47,533 | 9.38% |
| Wyoming | 395,348 | 369,992 | 93.59% | 115,618 | 29.24% | 42,363 | 10.72% |
| Wisconsin | 4,076,339 | 3,804,265 | 93.33% | 1,326,478 | 32.54% | 450,011 | 11.04% |
| Iowa | 2,137,261 | 1,994,595 | 93.32% | 652,742 | 30.54% | 210,864 | 9.87% |
| Alaska | 485,779 | 453,289 | 93.31% | 159,290 | 32.79% | 57,868 | 11.91% |
| Utah | 2,010,727 | 1,873,479 | 93.17% | 740,097 | 36.81% | 255,215 | 12.69% |
| South Dakota | 590,377 | 549,364 | 93.05% | 186,946 | 31.67% | 59,688 | 10.11% |
| Hawaii | 1,021,687 | 949,476 | 92.93% | 360,681 | 35.30% | 133,832 | 13.10% |
| District of Columbia | 478,774 | 444,233 | 92.79% | 301,852 | 63.05% | 181,081 | 37.82% |
| Colorado | 4,044,182 | 3,738,208 | 92.43% | 1,796,240 | 44.42% | 688,931 | 17.04% |
| Washington | 5,401,149 | 4,987,844 | 92.35% | 2,104,662 | 40.97% | 817,197 | 15.13% |
| Nebraska | 1,292,536 | 1,191,221 | 92.16% | 445,261 | 34.45% | 158,751 | 12.28% |
| Michigan | 6,971,895 | 6,411,597 | 91.96% | 2,208,170 | 31.67% | 870,008 | 12.48% |
| Kansas | 1,942,133 | 1,784,711 | 91.89% | 687,452 | 35.40% | 259,988 | 13.39% |
| Oregon | 3,030,635 | 2,784,373 | 91.87% | 1,101,061 | 36.33% | 420,755 | 13.88% |
| Ohio | 8,117,973 | 7,447,659 | 91.74% | 2,493,910 | 30.72% | 957,286 | 11.79% |
| Missouri | 4,226,634 | 3,871,249 | 91.59% | 1,340,643 | 31.72% | 517,428 | 12.24% |
| Virginia | 5,942,672 | 5,430,700 | 91.38% | 2,484,460 | 41.81% | 1,089,585 | 18.33% |
| Delaware | 711,104 | 649,638 | 91.36% | 253,292 | 35.62% | 106,997 | 15.05% |
| Idaho | 1,257,566 | 1,147,653 | 91.26% | 386,264 | 30.72% | 132,502 | 10.54% |
| Connecticut | 2,534,376 | 2,309,185 | 91.11% | 1,067,671 | 42.13% | 479,981 | 18.94% |
| Maryland | 4,273,260 | 3,892,442 | 91.09% | 1,818,202 | 48.55% | 861,669 | 24.16% |
| New Jersey | 6,474,427 | 5,890,494 | 90.98% | 2,790,646 | 43.10% | 1,126,293 | 17.40% |
| Indiana | 4,559,631 | 4,132,897 | 90.64% | 1,316,787 | 28.88% | 473,718 | 10.39% |
| Illinois | 8,730,697 | 7,872,693 | 90.17% | 3,242,579 | 37.14% | 1,310,297 | 15.01% |
| Florida | 15,762,122 | 14,153,579 | 89.79% | 5,226,846 | 33.16% | 1,978,625 | 12.55% |
| Tennessee | 4,814,533 | 4,320,485 | 89.74% | 1,467,481 | 30.48% | 543,077 | 11.28% |
| North Carolina | 7,245,632 | 6,499,145 | 89.70% | 2,529,657 | 34.91% | 955,976 | 13.19% |
| South Carolina | 3,598,398 | 3,224,401 | 89.61% | 1,134,636 | 31.53% | 429,896 | 11.95% |
| Rhode Island | 773,464 | 689,448 | 89.14% | 282,326 | 36.50% | 120,732 | 15.61% |
| Georgia | 7,234,271 | 6,436,394 | 88.97% | 2,505,076 | 34.63% | 991,062 | 13.70% |
| Arizona | 4,980,297 | 4,430,934 | 88.97% | 1,615,081 | 32.43% | 629,408 | 12.64% |
| West Virginia | 1,265,439 | 1,123,971 | 88.82% | 305,188 | 24.12% | 125,812 | 9.94% |
| Oklahoma | 2,639,889 | 2,341,875 | 88.71% | 737,183 | 27.92% | 254,015 | 9.62% |
| Arkansas | 2,037,763 | 1,806,873 | 88.67% | 515,034 | 25.27% | 190,897 | 9.37% |
| New York | 13,987,094 | 12,313,514 | 88.03% | 5,583,687 | 40.90% | 2,477,848 | 17.72% |
| Kentucky | 3,077,867 | 2,708,147 | 87.99% | 830,414 | 26.98% | 341,868 | 11.11% |
| Alabama | 3,451,208 | 3,034,741 | 87.93% | 946,766 | 27.43% | 374,490 | 10.85% |
| New Mexico | 1,450,549 | 1,268,955 | 87.48% | 435,930 | 30.05% | 204,185 | 14.08% |
| Nevada | 2,192,826 | 1,911,173 | 87.16% | 604,626 | 27.57% | 211,418 | 9.64% |
| Louisiana | 3,117,186 | 2,701,889 | 86.68% | 824,369 | 26.45% | 300,894 | 9.65% |
| Mississippi | 1,968,167 | 1,702,178 | 86.49% | 487,663 | 24.78% | 184,007 | 9.35% |
| Texas | 19,224,688 | 16,415,784 | 85.39% | 6,366,437 | 33.12% | 2,288,616 | 11.90% |
| California | 26,909,869 | 22,724,990 | 84.45% | 9,737,817 | 36.19% | 3,779,787 | 14.05% |
| Puerto Rico | 2,401,409 | 1,912,629 | 79.65% | 683,894 | 28.48% | 190,538 | 7.93% |
In 2019, Advanced Degrees, including Master's Degrees and Doctorates, were attained by 16.7% of Americans aged 25 and above. Massachusetts emerged as the frontrunner, boasting the highest prevalence at 26.3%, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for higher education. Conversely, Mississippi trailed behind, with only 9.3% of its residents holding such esteemed qualifications.
Surpassing all states, the District of Columbia boasted an impressive 37.8% of individuals with Advanced Degrees. Conversely, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico lagged at 7.9%, marking the lowest proportion nationwide.
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Methodology
The primary data source for the list is the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey conducted in 2021. This survey is a comprehensive demographic assessment administered annually, reaching approximately 3.5 million household addresses through mailed questionnaires, telephone interviews, and in-person visits by Census Bureau representatives. Notably, the survey encompasses individuals regardless of their legal immigration status.
It's crucial to note that the survey does not directly gauge graduation rates from specific educational institutions. Instead, it focuses on determining the percentage of adult residents possessing a high school diploma or its equivalent.
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