College enrollment has declined steadily in the United States in recent years. With rising tuition costs and surging student debt, enrollment rates have fallen by an average of nearly 2% a year since 2010. While four years of higher education may not be for everyone, Americans without a bachelor’s degree tend to be far more limited in their career opportunities, job security, and earning potential.
Nationwide, an estimated 33.1% of American adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Educational attainment rates vary considerably across the country, however, and in nearly every state, there is at least one metro area where the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is well below the national average.
Using education data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the least educated metropolitan area in every state. It is important to note that Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont have only one metro area, each of which ranks as the least educated metro in the state by default only.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate among adults with a four-year college education was 5.5% 2020. Meanwhile, the jobless rate among those with no more than a high school diploma was 9.0%. In most metro areas on this list, the average unemployment rate is higher than the jobless rate across the state as a whole.
In addition to being better protected from unemployment, Americans with a bachelor’s degree also tend to have higher salaries. The average weekly wage for a college-educated worker in the United States is about 67% higher than it is for those with no more than a high school diploma — and in areas with low educational attainment, incomes also tend to be lower than average. In the vast majority of metro areas on this list, the typical household earns less in a year than the statewide median household income.
Click here to see every state’s least educated metro area.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Alabama: Gadsden
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.2% (Alabama: 26.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,599 (Alabama: $37,217)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,125 (Alabama: $50,643)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 6.2% (Alabama: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.0% (Alabama: 1.9%)
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Alaska: Anchorage
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.1% (Alaska: 30.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $49,999 (Alaska: $47,809)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $57,016 (Alaska: $53,033)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 4.5% (Alaska: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% (Alaska: 1.7%)
Source: Chris Szwedo / Getty Images
Arizona: Lake Havasu City-Kingman
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.5% (Arizona: 30.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,097 (Arizona: $39,956)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,912 (Arizona: $52,077)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 4.3% (Arizona: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.5% (Arizona: 2.7%)
Source: Paul Sableman / Wikimedia Commons
Arkansas: Pine Bluff
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.4% (Arkansas: 23.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,723 (Arkansas: $35,215)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $35,853 (Arkansas: $46,964)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.6% (Arkansas: 3.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.3% (Arkansas: 1.7%)
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Source: Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons
California: Visalia
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 13.6% (California: 35.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,217 (California: $45,095)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $60,196 (California: $65,078)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 6.9% (California: 4.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% (California: 3.0%)
Source: chapin31 / Getty Images
Colorado: Pueblo
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.4% (Colorado: 42.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,972 (Colorado: $46,887)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,229 (Colorado: $58,229)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 5.0% (Colorado: 3.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.7% (Colorado: 2.1%)
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Source: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons
Connecticut: Norwich-New London
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.3% (Connecticut: 39.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $45,611 (Connecticut: $50,788)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $51,632 (Connecticut: $64,143)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.7% (Connecticut: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.5% (Connecticut: 2.6%)
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Delaware: Dover*
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 24.5% (Delaware: 33.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $37,174 (Delaware: $43,164)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,175 (Delaware: $56,603)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 4.2% (Delaware: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% (Delaware: 2.2%)
*Because Dover is the only eligible metro in Delaware, it is the least educated by default.
Source: Warren-Pender / Getty Images
Florida: Sebring-Avon Park
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.7% (Florida: 30.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,464 (Florida: $36,021)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,086 (Florida: $47,810)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 4.4% (Florida: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% (Florida: 2.4%)
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Georgia: Dalton
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.0% (Georgia: 32.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,228 (Georgia: $40,312)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,099 (Georgia: $53,662)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.3% (Georgia: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (Georgia: 2.3%)
Source: 7Michael / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Hawaii: Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.7% (Hawaii: 33.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $41,209 (Hawaii: $44,557)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $52,090 (Hawaii: $52,183)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.3% (Hawaii: 2.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.8% (Hawaii: 1.7%)
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Idaho: Twin Falls
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.0% (Idaho: 28.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $37,021 (Idaho: $36,445)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,919 (Idaho: $46,364)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.9% (Idaho: 2.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.5% (Idaho: 2.3%)
Source: Daniel Schwen / Wikimedia Commons
Illinois: Danville
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 12.1% (Illinois: 35.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,119 (Illinois: $45,015)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $54,870 (Illinois: $60,357)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 7.9% (Illinois: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.6% (Illinois: 2.3%)
Source: Courtesy of David Wilson via Flickr
Indiana: Michigan City-La Porte
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 18.0% (Indiana: 26.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,000 (Indiana: $39,833)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $55,389 (Indiana: $50,630)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.5% (Indiana: 3.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.5% (Indiana: 1.6%)
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Iowa: Sioux City
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 22.6% (Iowa: 29.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $37,092 (Iowa: $41,268)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,326 (Iowa: $51,751)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.0% (Iowa: 2.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.4% (Iowa: 1.4%)
Source: LawrenceSawyer / Getty Images
Kansas: Topeka
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 29.1% (Kansas: 34.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,630 (Kansas: $41,181)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,771 (Kansas: $51,678)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.6% (Kansas: 2.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% (Kansas: 1.5%)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Kentucky: Elizabethtown-Fort Knox
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.4% (Kentucky: 25.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $41,036 (Kentucky: $37,674)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $54,039 (Kentucky: $50,711)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.7% (Kentucky: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.4% (Kentucky: 1.7%)
Louisiana: Houma-Thibodaux
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.3% (Louisiana: 25.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,484 (Louisiana: $37,599)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,731 (Louisiana: $50,699)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 5.5% (Louisiana: 4.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.4% (Louisiana: 2.1%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Maine: Lewiston-Auburn
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.1% (Maine: 33.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,346 (Maine: $39,550)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $52,346 (Maine: $47,375)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 1.8% (Maine: 2.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Maine: 1.3%)
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Maryland: Cumberland
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.1% (Maryland: 40.9%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,482 (Maryland: $52,011)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,197 (Maryland: $65,193)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.3% (Maryland: 3.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.6% (Maryland: 2.4%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Massachusetts: Pittsfield
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.9% (Massachusetts: 45.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,666 (Massachusetts: $52,470)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,775 (Massachusetts: $65,373)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.2% (Massachusetts: 3.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.5% (Massachusetts: 2.1%)
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Michigan: Battle Creek
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.2% (Michigan: 30.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,148 (Michigan: $40,450)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $43,871 (Michigan: $54,634)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 4.7% (Michigan: 4.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 4.3% (Michigan: 2.3%)
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Source: Jeff Wood / Wikimedia Commons
Minnesota: St. Cloud
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 26.6% (Minnesota: 37.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $42,130 (Minnesota: $47,050)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,983 (Minnesota: $60,316)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.3% (Minnesota: 2.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.4% (Minnesota: 1.4%)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
Mississippi: Gulfport-Biloxi
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 22.7% (Mississippi: 22.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,035 (Mississippi: $32,574)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,051 (Mississippi: $44,148)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 6.4% (Mississippi: 5.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% (Mississippi: 2.9%)
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Source: 25or6to4 / Wikimedia Commons
Missouri: St. Joseph
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.0% (Missouri: 30.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,327 (Missouri: $40,078)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,343 (Missouri: $51,217)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.0% (Missouri: 3.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% (Missouri: 1.5%)
Source: leezsnow / Getty Images
Montana: Great Falls
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 25.6% (Montana: 33.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,077 (Montana: $36,953)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,731 (Montana: $42,150)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.6% (Montana: 3.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (Montana: 2.1%)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Nebraska: Grand Island
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.0% (Nebraska: 33.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $37,811 (Nebraska: $41,488)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $46,028 (Nebraska: $50,779)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 1.2% (Nebraska: 2.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Nebraska: 1.3%)
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Nevada: Carson City
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 21.3% (Nevada: 25.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,601 (Nevada: $39,505)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $48,205 (Nevada: $50,293)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 1.6% (Nevada: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Nevada: 2.9%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua*
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 37.8% (New Hampshire: 37.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $49,540 (New Hampshire: $47,392)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $60,063 (New Hampshire: $60,544)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.2% (New Hampshire: 2.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% (New Hampshire: 1.9%)
*Because Manchester-Nashua is the only eligible metro in New Hampshire, it is the least educated by default.
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New Jersey: Vineland-Bridgeton
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.1% (New Jersey: 41.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,949 (New Jersey: $51,786)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $60,278 (New Jersey: $67,038)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 5.7% (New Jersey: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 8.0% (New Jersey: 2.8%)
Source: AllenS / Wikimedia Commons
New Mexico: Farmington
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 14.4% (New Mexico: 27.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,355 (New Mexico: $35,284)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $41,620 (New Mexico: $45,109)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 6.1% (New Mexico: 5.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.0% (New Mexico: 2.6%)
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New York: Watertown-Fort Drum
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 22.4% (New York: 37.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,033 (New York: $47,645)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,086 (New York: $62,699)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 5.0% (New York: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (New York: 2.5%)
Source: fallbrook / Getty Images
North Carolina: Rocky Mount
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.4% (North Carolina: 32.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $35,401 (North Carolina: $38,534)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,318 (North Carolina: $50,977)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 8.1% (North Carolina: 3.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 6.1% (North Carolina: 2.2%)
Source: powerofforever / Getty Images
North Dakota: Bismarck
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.4% (North Dakota: 30.4%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $46,837 (North Dakota: $43,865)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $54,107 (North Dakota: $51,854)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.2% (North Dakota: 2.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.7% (North Dakota: 0.6%)
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Source: Cindy Funk / Wikimedia Commons
Ohio: Springfield
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.2% (Ohio: 29.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $34,627 (Ohio: $40,586)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,948 (Ohio: $53,680)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 4.2% (Ohio: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.4% (Ohio: 1.9%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Oklahoma: Lawton
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.5% (Oklahoma: 26.2%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,514 (Oklahoma: $38,088)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $31,421 (Oklahoma: $47,828)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 5.6% (Oklahoma: 3.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Oklahoma: 1.8%)
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Source: Tobias Kleinlercher / Wikimedia Commons
Oregon: Grants Pass
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 16.8% (Oregon: 34.5%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $30,097 (Oregon: $40,774)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $38,506 (Oregon: $52,498)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 6.1% (Oregon: 3.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.0% reported (Oregon: 2.3%)
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Pennsylvania: Johnstown
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.6% (Pennsylvania: 32.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,635 (Pennsylvania: $42,229)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $47,254 (Pennsylvania: $55,326)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.6% (Pennsylvania: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.2% (Pennsylvania: 2.0%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick*
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 33.2% (Rhode Island: 34.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $46,675 (Rhode Island: $46,060)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $60,059 (Rhode Island: $57,398)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.1% (Rhode Island: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.9% (Rhode Island: 1.9%)
*Because Providence-Warwick is the only eligible metro in Rhode Island, it is the least educated by default.
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South Carolina: Sumter
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.1% (South Carolina: 29.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,983 (South Carolina: $37,727)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $45,817 (South Carolina: $50,734)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 7.4% (South Carolina: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.0% (South Carolina: 2.0%)
Source: peeterv / Getty Images
South Dakota: Rapid City
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 30.8% (South Dakota: 29.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $32,793 (South Dakota: $38,646)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $36,495 (South Dakota: $47,630)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.4% (South Dakota: 2.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.4% (South Dakota: 1.2%)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Tennessee: Morristown
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 19.3% (Tennessee: 28.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $31,855 (Tennessee: $37,610)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,569 (Tennessee: $50,633)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 4.3% (Tennessee: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.2% (Tennessee: 2.2%)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
Texas: Odessa
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.1% (Texas: 30.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $45,199 (Texas: $40,895)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $52,286 (Texas: $56,853)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.5% (Texas: 3.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.9% (Texas: 2.5%)
Source: Eddie Maloney from North Las Vegas, USA / Wikimedia Commons
Utah: St. George
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 27.3% (Utah: 34.8%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,873 (Utah: $41,679)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $44,223 (Utah: $51,611)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 1.5% (Utah: 2.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.7% (Utah: 1.5%)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington*
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 44.6% (Vermont: 38.7%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $48,264 (Vermont: $41,496)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $51,715 (Vermont: $47,170)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.6% (Vermont: 2.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.5% (Vermont: 1.6%)
*Because Burlington-South Burlington is the only eligible metro in Vermont, it is the least educated by default.
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Virginia: Staunton
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 24.2% (Virginia: 39.6%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,010 (Virginia: $46,873)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $52,490 (Virginia: $61,529)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.3% (Virginia: 3.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.1% (Virginia: 2.0%)
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Washington: Longview
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 15.3% (Washington: 37.0%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $39,160 (Washington: $48,567)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $50,309 (Washington: $62,447)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 3.6% (Washington: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.6% (Washington: 2.4%)
West Virginia: Weirton-Steubenville
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 17.5% (West Virginia: 21.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $36,651 (West Virginia: $35,440)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $42,128 (West Virginia: $45,304)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 5.7% (West Virginia: 5.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.0% (West Virginia: 2.3%)
Source: BergmannD / Getty Images
Wisconsin: Janesville-Beloit
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 23.2% (Wisconsin: 31.3%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $40,840 (Wisconsin: $42,222)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $49,031 (Wisconsin: $52,425)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 2.9% (Wisconsin: 2.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.3% (Wisconsin: 1.4%)
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Wyoming: Casper
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 20.7% (Wyoming: 29.1%)
> Median earnings, all workers: $41,863 (Wyoming: $40,800)
> Median earnings, bachelor’s degree holders: $51,825 (Wyoming: $47,962)
> Estimated unemployment rate, all workers: 1.5% (Wyoming: 2.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.8% (Wyoming: 2.1%)
Methodology
To determine the least educated metro in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed one-year estimates of the percentage of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree in U.S. metro areas from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
We used the 384 metropolitan statistical areas as delineated by the United States Office of Management and Budget and used by the Census Bureau as our definition of metros.
Each mMetro areas wereas ranked within their state by its bachelor’s or higher attainment rates within its state. Since many metros cross state lines, the metro was assigned to the state of its first-listed principal city. Thus, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area was excluded as it is principally in the District of Columbia. All other 383 metros were included in the rankings.
Additional information on the median earnings for adults 25 and over with earnings that hold a bachelor’s degree, median earnings for adults 25 and over with earnings for all levels of educational attainment, 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 one-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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