The average cost of a college education in the United States is $35,720 a year — three times higher than it was two decades ago. While rising tuition costs are discouraging many Americans from enrolling, a college education is an investment that can increase access to career opportunities, improve job security, and increase earning potential.
Nationwide, an estimated 32.1% of American adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Educational attainment rates vary considerably across the country, however, and in every state, there is at least one county or county equivalent where the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is higher than the national average.
Using education data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the most educated county in every state.
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 all but eight counties and county equivalents on this list, the five-year average unemployment rate is lower than the comparable 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 places with well-educated populations, incomes also tend to be higher than average. In the vast majority of counties and county equivalents on this list, the typical household earns more in a year than the statewide median household income.
Click here to see the most educated county in every state.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
Alabama: Shelby County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 42.9% (Alabama: 25.5%)
> Median household income: $77,799 (Alabama: $50,536)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.7% (Alabama: 4.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% (Alabama: 2.1%)
> Population: 213,432
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Alaska: Juneau City and Borough
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 38.4% (Alaska: 29.6%)
> Median household income: $88,390 (Alaska: $77,640)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.1% (Alaska: 5.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.4% (Alaska: 2.2%)
> Population: 32,227
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Arizona: Coconino County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.2% (Arizona: 29.5%)
> Median household income: $59,460 (Arizona: $58,945)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.8% (Arizona: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% (Arizona: 2.7%)
> Population: 141,274
Arkansas: Pulaski County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 34.3% (Arkansas: 23.0%)
> Median household income: $51,749 (Arkansas: $47,597)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% (Arkansas: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.3% (Arkansas: 1.8%)
> Population: 392,967
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California: Marin County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 59.5% (California: 33.9%)
> Median household income: $115,246 (California: $75,235)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.1% (California: 5.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.5% (California: 3.4%)
> Population: 259,943
Colorado: Boulder County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 62.1% (Colorado: 40.9%)
> Median household income: $83,019 (Colorado: $72,331)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.4% (Colorado: 3.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.7% (Colorado: 2.5%)
> Population: 322,510
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Connecticut: Fairfield County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 47.9% (Connecticut: 39.3%)
> Median household income: $95,645 (Connecticut: $78,444)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.4% (Connecticut: 5.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.6% (Connecticut: 2.9%)
> Population: 943,926
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Delaware: New Castle County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 36.2% (Delaware: 32.0%)
> Median household income: $73,892 (Delaware: $68,287)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 5.0% (Delaware: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.9% (Delaware: 2.7%)
> Population: 556,165
Florida: Leon County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 46.2% (Florida: 29.9%)
> Median household income: $53,106 (Florida: $55,660)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.8% (Florida: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.8% (Florida: 2.9%)
> Population: 289,770
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Georgia: Forsyth County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 53.1% (Georgia: 31.3%)
> Median household income: $107,218 (Georgia: $58,700)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.5% (Georgia: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% (Georgia: 2.6%)
> Population: 228,383
Hawaii: Honolulu County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 35.0% (Hawaii: 33.0%)
> Median household income: $85,857 (Hawaii: $81,275)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.2% (Hawaii: 3.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% (Hawaii: 2.0%)
> Population: 984,821
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Idaho: Latah County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 45.4% (Idaho: 27.6%)
> Median household income: $49,158 (Idaho: $55,785)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.8% (Idaho: 3.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.9% (Idaho: 2.1%)
> Population: 39,505
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Illinois: DuPage County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 49.4% (Illinois: 34.7%)
> Median household income: $92,809 (Illinois: $65,886)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.4% (Illinois: 4.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.6% (Illinois: 2.7%)
> Population: 929,060
Indiana: Hamilton County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 59.3% (Indiana: 26.5%)
> Median household income: $98,173 (Indiana: $56,303)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.0% (Indiana: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.3% (Indiana: 1.9%)
> Population: 323,117
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Iowa: Johnson County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 52.8% (Iowa: 28.6%)
> Median household income: $62,542 (Iowa: $60,523)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.4% (Iowa: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (Iowa: 1.4%)
> Population: 148,577
Kansas: Johnson County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 56.0% (Kansas: 33.4%)
> Median household income: $89,087 (Kansas: $59,597)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.3% (Kansas: 3.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.9% (Kansas: 1.7%)
> Population: 591,506
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Kentucky: Fayette County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 43.6% (Kentucky: 24.2%)
> Median household income: $57,291 (Kentucky: $50,589)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.0% (Kentucky: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.5% (Kentucky: 2.1%)
> Population: 320,601
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Louisiana: Orleans Parish
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 37.6% (Louisiana: 24.1%)
> Median household income: $41,604 (Louisiana: $49,469)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 7.0% (Louisiana: 5.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.2% (Louisiana: 2.4%)
> Population: 390,845
Maine: Cumberland County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 47.6% (Maine: 31.8%)
> Median household income: $73,072 (Maine: $57,918)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.5% (Maine: 3.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.5% (Maine: 1.6%)
> Population: 292,307
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Maryland: Howard County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 62.6% (Maryland: 40.2%)
> Median household income: $121,160 (Maryland: $84,805)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.7% (Maryland: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.9% (Maryland: 2.4%)
> Population: 318,855
Massachusetts: Middlesex County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 56.3% (Massachusetts: 43.7%)
> Median household income: $102,603 (Massachusetts: $81,215)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.3% (Massachusetts: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.5% (Massachusetts: 2.5%)
> Population: 1,600,842
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Michigan: Washtenaw County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 55.9% (Michigan: 29.1%)
> Median household income: $72,586 (Michigan: $57,144)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.1% (Michigan: 4.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% (Michigan: 2.3%)
> Population: 367,000
Minnesota: Hennepin County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 50.1% (Minnesota: 36.1%)
> Median household income: $78,167 (Minnesota: $71,306)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.2% (Minnesota: 3.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% (Minnesota: 1.7%)
> Population: 1,245,837
Mississippi: Madison County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 48.4% (Mississippi: 22.0%)
> Median household income: $71,824 (Mississippi: $45,081)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.5% (Mississippi: 6.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.5% (Mississippi: 2.8%)
> Population: 104,562
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Missouri: Boone County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 46.1% (Missouri: 29.2%)
> Median household income: $55,328 (Missouri: $55,461)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.0% (Missouri: 3.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.3% (Missouri: 1.9%)
> Population: 177,651
Montana: Gallatin County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 50.1% (Montana: 32.0%)
> Median household income: $66,397 (Montana: $54,970)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.1% (Montana: 3.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.6% (Montana: 2.0%)
> Population: 108,063
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Nebraska: Sarpy County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 39.8% (Nebraska: 31.9%)
> Median household income: $82,032 (Nebraska: $61,439)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.2% (Nebraska: 2.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.2% (Nebraska: 1.4%)
> Population: 181,232
Nevada: Storey County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 31.4% (Nevada: 24.7%)
> Median household income: $66,292 (Nevada: $60,365)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.5% (Nevada: 5.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.9% (Nevada: 3.4%)
> Population: 3,988
New Hampshire: Rockingham County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 41.4% (New Hampshire: 37.0%)
> Median household income: $93,756 (New Hampshire: $76,768)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.6% (New Hampshire: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.8% (New Hampshire: 1.9%)
> Population: 306,359
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New Jersey: Somerset County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 54.7% (New Jersey: 39.7%)
> Median household income: $113,611 (New Jersey: $82,545)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.8% (New Jersey: 4.6%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.2% (New Jersey: 3.0%)
> Population: 329,838
New Mexico: Los Alamos County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 67.4% (New Mexico: 27.3%)
> Median household income: $121,324 (New Mexico: $49,754)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.8% (New Mexico: 5.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.0% (New Mexico: 2.9%)
> Population: 18,625
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New York: New York County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 61.3% (New York: 36.6%)
> Median household income: $86,553 (New York: $68,486)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.5% (New York: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.0% (New York: 2.9%)
> Population: 1,631,993
North Carolina: Orange County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 59.7% (North Carolina: 31.3%)
> Median household income: $71,723 (North Carolina: $54,602)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.3% (North Carolina: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.6% (North Carolina: 2.4%)
> Population: 144,836
North Dakota: Cass County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 40.2% (North Dakota: 30.0%)
> Median household income: $64,482 (North Dakota: $64,894)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.0% (North Dakota: 2.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.9% (North Dakota: 0.9%)
> Population: 176,975
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Ohio: Delaware County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 54.3% (Ohio: 28.3%)
> Median household income: $106,908 (Ohio: $56,602)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.4% (Ohio: 4.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.6% (Ohio: 2.0%)
> Population: 201,135
Oklahoma: Payne County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 37.4% (Oklahoma: 25.5%)
> Median household income: $41,603 (Oklahoma: $52,919)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.9% (Oklahoma: 4.2%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.6% (Oklahoma: 1.9%)
> Population: 81,815
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Oregon: Benton County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 54.1% (Oregon: 33.7%)
> Median household income: $62,077 (Oregon: $62,818)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.1% (Oregon: 4.5%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 3.5% (Oregon: 2.7%)
> Population: 91,107
Pennsylvania: Chester County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 53.0% (Pennsylvania: 31.4%)
> Median household income: $100,214 (Pennsylvania: $61,744)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.1% (Pennsylvania: 4.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.2% (Pennsylvania: 2.4%)
> Population: 519,560
Rhode Island: Bristol County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 49.0% (Rhode Island: 34.2%)
> Median household income: $83,092 (Rhode Island: $67,167)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.1% (Rhode Island: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.4% (Rhode Island: 2.6%)
> Population: 48,764
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South Carolina: Charleston County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 43.6% (South Carolina: 28.1%)
> Median household income: $64,022 (South Carolina: $53,199)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.2% (South Carolina: 4.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.7% (South Carolina: 2.2%)
> Population: 401,165
South Dakota: Clay County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 49.9% (South Dakota: 28.8%)
> Median household income: $50,724 (South Dakota: $58,275)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.7% (South Dakota: 2.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.0% (South Dakota: 1.0%)
> Population: 13,957
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Tennessee: Williamson County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 59.8% (Tennessee: 27.3%)
> Median household income: $112,962 (Tennessee: $53,320)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.4% (Tennessee: 4.4%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% (Tennessee: 2.2%)
> Population: 225,389
Texas: Collin County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 52.3% (Texas: 29.9%)
> Median household income: $96,913 (Texas: $61,874)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.1% (Texas: 4.1%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.8% (Texas: 2.7%)
> Population: 973,977
Utah: Summit County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 55.0% (Utah: 34.0%)
> Median household income: $102,958 (Utah: $71,621)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.0% (Utah: 2.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.4% (Utah: 1.8%)
> Population: 41,103
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Vermont: Chittenden County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 51.3% (Vermont: 38.0%)
> Median household income: $73,647 (Vermont: $61,973)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.6% (Vermont: 2.8%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.1% (Vermont: 2.0%)
> Population: 162,646
Virginia: Falls Church city
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 77.6% (Virginia: 38.8%)
> Median household income: $127,610 (Virginia: $74,222)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 2.3% (Virginia: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.4% (Virginia: 2.3%)
> Population: 14,128
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Washington: King County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 52.5% (Washington: 36.0%)
> Median household income: $94,974 (Washington: $73,775)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 3.6% (Washington: 4.0%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.6% (Washington: 2.5%)
> Population: 2,195,502
West Virginia: Monongalia County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 42.8% (West Virginia: 20.6%)
> Median household income: $52,455 (West Virginia: $46,711)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 4.4% (West Virginia: 5.3%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 2.7% (West Virginia: 2.2%)
> Population: 105,474
Wisconsin: Dane County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 51.4% (Wisconsin: 30.1%)
> Median household income: $73,893 (Wisconsin: $61,747)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 1.9% (Wisconsin: 2.9%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 1.3% (Wisconsin: 1.5%)
> Population: 536,078
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Wyoming: Teton County
> Adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 57.0% (Wyoming: 27.4%)
> Median household income: $84,678 (Wyoming: $64,049)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, all workers: 0.7% (Wyoming: 3.7%)
> Estimated unemployment rate 2015-2019, adults with at least a bachelor’s degree: 0.9% (Wyoming: 1.9%)
> Population: 23,280
Methodology
To determine the most educated county in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of the percentage of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree in every county from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
Of the 3,220 counties or county equivalents, 3,141 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.
Counties were excluded if bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rates were not available in the 2019 ACS, if the county’s 25 and older population was less than 1,000, or if the sampling error associated with a county’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 county’s bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rate was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all counties’ bachelor’s degree or higher attainment rate. We similarly excluded counties that had a sampling error too high for their 25 and over population estimates, using the same definition.
The remaining 3,021 counties were ranked within their state based on the share of adults 25 years and over with at least a bachelor’s degree.
Additional information on median household income, unemployment rates for the 25-64 year old population that have at least a bachelor’s degree, unemployment rates for the 25-64 year old population for all educational attainment levels, and population are also five-year estimates from the 2019 ACS.
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