The typical American worker with a bachelor’s degree earns about $26,000 more per year than a worker with no more than a high school diploma, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those with a college degree are also less likely to be unemployed. The advantages can extend beyond the financial benefits, as higher educational attainment is also linked to better health outcomes.
Across the United States, 33.1% of the 25 and older population have a bachelor’s degree or higher. That share varies considerably from state to state and from city to city.
To determine America’s least educated cities, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the percentage of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey. In the 50 cities on this list, which can be found in 13 states, with more than half located in California, the bachelor’s degree attainment rate is no higher than 12%.
The differences in income and unemployment rate can also be seen in cities with the lowest bachelor’s degree attainment rates. Cities with smaller college-educated populations are more likely to struggle with high unemployment, and the majority of cities on this list have higher five-year average unemployment rates compared to the U.S rate of 4.4% over that time. Several cities have five-year average unemployment rates in excess of 10%.
Click here to see the least educated cities in the nation.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
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50. Brawley, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,865 — 75th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,507 — 108th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 15.2% — 3rd highest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.6% — 17th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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49. Lima, Ohio
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,643 — 123rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,983 — 128th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.3% — 222nd highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% — 1,331st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
Source: Dwight Burdette / Wikimedia Commons
48. Taylor, Michigan
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $33,913 — 456th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,880 — 348th lowest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.0% — 245th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% — 639th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
Source: Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons
47. Porterville, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,434 — 68th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,060 — 536th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 11.5% — 30th highest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.0% — 48th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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46. Florence, Arizona
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $22,588 — 7th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,429 — 207th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.8% — 51st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.2% — 190th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
45. Big Spring, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,071 — 222nd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,720 — 464th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.8% — 196th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported — 1,761st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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44. Paramount, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.3%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,813 — 201st lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,563 — 52nd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.7% — 759th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.1% — 540th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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43. Hesperia, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,962 — 525th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,372 — 205th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.4% — 63rd highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.7% — 114th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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42. Paterson, New Jersey
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,261 — 238th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,783 — 220th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.3% — 921st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.1% — 213th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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41. Hemet, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,990 — 212th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,570 — 112th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 11.8% — 20th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.3% — 3rd highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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40. Rialto, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,239 — 336th lowest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,588 — 332nd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.9% — 55th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.2% — 80th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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39. Kearns, Utah
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.0%
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,660 — 505th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,232 — 311th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.4% — 989th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% — 1,205th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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38. Saginaw, Michigan
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $23,841 — 14th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,234 — 157th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 10.5% — 13th highest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% — 317th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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37. La Puente, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,790 — 194th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,136 — 304th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.4% — 485th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.1% — 86th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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36. Tulare, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,978 — 589th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $60,701 — 1,263rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.2% — 359th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.0% — 243rd highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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35. Lawrence, Massachusetts
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.8%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,644 — 183rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,893 — 351st lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.4% — 91st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% — 355th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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34. Reading, Pennsylvania
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.8%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,968 — 36th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $36,483 — 64th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.3% — 20th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.2% — 190th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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33. Pahrump, Nevada
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,253 — 480th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $37,845 — 92nd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.7% — 56th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.5% — 1,483rd highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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32. West Little River, Florida
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,857 — 34th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,845 — 54th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% — 235th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.6% — 17th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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31. Sunrise Manor, Nevada
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,558 — 171st lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,880 — 55th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.5% — 128th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.2% — 80th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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30. Los Banos, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,468 — 369th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $60,763 — 1,266th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 12.1% — 15th highest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.8% — 1,705th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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29. Ceres, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,176 — 474th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,420 — 503rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.8% — 35th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.4% — 70th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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28. Marion, Ohio
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.9%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,668 — 185th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,011 — 476th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.5% — 97th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.4% — 161st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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27. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.8%
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,832 — 128th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,201 — 245th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.0% — 207th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% — 355th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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26. Camden, New Jersey
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.8%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,540 — 27th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $34,063 — 37th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 11.8% — 20th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.6% — 7th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
25. Magna, Utah
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,350 — 490th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,156 — 239th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.4% — 789th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.2% — 1,606th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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24. Bullhead City, Arizona
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,113 — 42nd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,339 — 204th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.6% — 150th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% — 639th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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23. Madera, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,174 — 59th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $55,958 — 1,077th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.6% — 97th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% — 355th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
Source: MattGush / Getty Images
22. South Gate, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,068 — 140th lowest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $40,639 — 173rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.7% — 79th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.0% — 91st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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21. Lincoln Park, Michigan
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,710 — 389th lowest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,135 — 237th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% — 389th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% — 1,380th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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20. Oildale, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,482 — 120th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $53,304 — 936th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 14.2% — 7th highest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 10.8% — 6th highest of 1,771 cities
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19. Westmont, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $27,477 — 69th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,107 — 133rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% — 176th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.1% — 12th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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18. Perris, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $33,108 — 416th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $39,846 — 144th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.6% — 288th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.9% — 98th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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17. East Chicago, Indiana
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,648 — 91st lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $30,977 — 13th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 8.5% — 106th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% — 639th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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16. Channelview, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.1%
> Median earnings, all workers: $37,507 — 694th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $52,843 — 904th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.3% — 245th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.4% — 161st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
15. Cicero, Illinois
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 9.0%
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,151 — 229th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,590 — 113th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% — 759th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.8% — 286th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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14. East Los Angeles, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $29,221 — 111th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,329 — 203rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.1% — 106th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.8% — 286th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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13. Compton, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.6%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,169 — 145th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,604 — 569th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.8% — 84th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% — 317th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
12. San Luis, Arizona
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $21,059 — 2nd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $32,288 — 27th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 13.2% — 11th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.5% — 1,483rd highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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11. Lynwood, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,869 — 96th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,706 — 338th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.3% — 161st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.5% — 395th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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10. Socorro, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,095 — 41st lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $31,393 — 15th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.3% — 572nd highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.0% — 587th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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9. Delano, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $21,983 — 3rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,411 — 501st lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 10.8% — 35th highest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.4% — 936th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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8. Bell, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $26,635 — 50th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $36,307 — 61st lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.6% — 288th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% — 1,148th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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7. Balch Springs, Texas
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 7.2%
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,522 — 168th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,239 — 376th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.7% — 759th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.9% — 265th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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6. Soledad, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.8%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,541 — 28th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,347 — 553rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.1% — 1,599th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% — 317th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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5. Huntington Park, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,298 — 22nd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,615 — 116th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.0% — 176th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.1% — 12th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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4. Adelanto, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.0%
> Median earnings, all workers: $28,335 — 87th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,429 — 106th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 9.3% — 20th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 11.3% — 3rd highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
3. Maywood, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.7%
> Median earnings, all workers: $25,552 — 30th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,844 — 53rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.3% — 235th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% — 1,205th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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2. Florence-Graham, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.5%
> Median earnings, all workers: $24,838 — 16th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $37,907 — 93rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 6.4% — 161st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% — 639th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
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1. Bell Gardens, California
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 5.4%
> Median earnings, all workers: $23,815 — 13th lowest of 1,771 cities
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $31,947 — 23rd lowest of 1,771 cities
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.8% — 288th highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.3% — 41st highest of 1,771 cities (tied)
Methodology
To determine America’s least educated cities, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the percentage of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes 29,573 incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. We only considered the 29,320 places that had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
We defined cities based on a population threshold of more than 25,000 people, and 1,775 of the places fell within this threshold.
Cities were then excluded if: bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rates were not available in the 2019 ACS; the city’s 25 and older population comprised less than 1,000; or the sampling error associated with a city’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a city’s bachelor’s or higher attainment rate was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all cities’ bachelor’s or higher attainment rate. We similarly excluded cities that had a sampling error too high for their 25 and over population estimates, using the same definition.
The remaining 1,771 places were ranked based on the share of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree.
Additional information on the median earnings for adults 25 and holding a bachelor’s degree, median earnings for adults 25 and over for all education levels, unemployment rates for the 25-64 year old population that have at least a bachelor’s degree, and unemployment rates for the 25-64 year old population for all educational attainment levels are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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