In 2022, about 37.7 percent of the U.S. population who were aged 25 and above had graduated from college or another higher education institution, a slight decline from 37.9 the previous year. However, this is a significant increase from 1960, when only 7.7 percent of the U.S. population had graduated from college. Demographics Educational attainment varies by gender, location, race, and age throughout the United States. Asian-American and Pacific Islanders had the highest level of education, on average, while Massachusetts and the District of Colombia are areas home to the highest rates of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher. However, education levels are correlated with wealth. While public education is free up until the 12th grade, the cost of university is out of reach for many Americans, making social mobility increasingly difficult. Earnings White Americans with a professional degree earned the most money on average, compared to other educational levels and races. However, regardless of educational attainment, males typically earned far more on average compared to females. Despite the decreasing wage gap over the years in the country, it remains an issue to this day. Not only is there a large wage gap between males and females, but there is also a large income gap linked to race as well.

Graph and download economic data for Employment-Population Ratio - Bachelor's Degree and Higher, 25 Yrs. & over (LNU02327662) from Jan 1992 to Sep 2025 about employment-population ratio, 25 years +, tertiary schooling, education, household survey, population, employment, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - College Graduates - Bachelor's Degree, 25 to 34 years (CGBD2534) from Jan 2000 to Sep 2025 about 25 to 34 years, tertiary schooling, education, unemployment, rate, and USA.

In the academic year of 2021/22, about 835,320 male and almost 1.18 million female students earned a bachelor's degree in the United States. By the academic year of 2031/32, the number of male bachelor's degree recipients is expected to reach 975,020. Bachelor’s degrees in the United States American students typically earn a Bachelor’s degree for an undergraduate course of study and it is normally completed in four years. Depending on the major, students receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or another type of certificate. In 2021, about 1.17 million white students earned a Bachelor's degree, followed by 324,848 Hispanic students. Bachelor's degrees and earnings When looking at the mean income of Bachelor’s degree holders in 2021, there are marked differences between the female and male Bachelor’s degree holders. Men with a Bachelor’s degree earned about 107,315 U.S. dollars per year, compared to women, who earned 77,099 U.S. dollars per year. In addition, salaries tended to increase the more educated a person was.

In the academic year of 2022, it is expected that 551,460 female and 331,530 male students will earn a Master’s degree in the United States. These figures are a significant increase from the academic year of 1950, when 16,980 female students and 41,220 male students earned a Master’s degree.

What is a Master’s degree?

A Master’s degree is an academic degree granted by universities after finishing a Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degrees focus in on a specific field and are more specialized than a Bachelor’s. A typical Master’s program is about two years long, with the final semester focusing on the thesis. Master’s degree programs are usually harder to get into than Bachelor’s degree programs, due to the rigor of the program. Because these programs are so competitive, those with a Master’s degree are typically paid more than those with a Bachelor’s degree.

Master’s degrees in the United States

The number of master’s degrees granted in the United States has steadily increased since the 1970s and is expected to continue to increase. In 2021, the Master’s degree program with the worst job prospects in the United States by mid-career median pay was counseling, while the program with the best job prospects was a physician's assistant.

Graph and download economic data for Employment Level - Bachelor's Degree and Higher, 25 Yrs. & over (LNS12027662) from Jan 1992 to Sep 2025 about 25 years +, tertiary schooling, education, household survey, employment, and USA.

Actual value and historical data chart for Iran Educational Attainment At Least Completed Post Secondary Population 25 Total Percent Cumulative

Laos Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data was reported at 4.189 % in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.534 % for 2017. Laos Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 3.534 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2022, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.189 % in 2022 and a record low of 2.527 % in 2010. Laos Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Laos – Table LA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Bachelor's or equivalent.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Bachelor's Degree and Higher, 25 Yrs. & over was 70.90% in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Bachelor's Degree and Higher, 25 Yrs. & over reached a record high of 79.80 in October of 1994 and a record low of 65.70 in April of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Bachelor's Degree and Higher, 25 Yrs. & over - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

India Educational Attainment: At Least Master's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative data was reported at 3.490 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.160 % for 2022. India Educational Attainment: At Least Master's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 3.315 % from Dec 2018 (Median) to 2023, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.490 % in 2023 and a record low of 2.390 % in 2018. India Educational Attainment: At Least Master's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Master's or equivalent.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Some College or Associate Degree, 25 Yrs. & over was 60.90% in April of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Some College or Associate Degree, 25 Yrs. & over reached a record high of 73.00 in November of 1998 and a record low of 53.40 in April of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Some College or Associate Degree, 25 Yrs. & over - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

Vietnam VN: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative data was reported at 11.221 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.520 % for 2022. Vietnam VN: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 10.358 % from Dec 2019 (Median) to 2023, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.520 % in 2022 and a record low of 10.250 % in 2019. Vietnam VN: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Bachelor's or equivalent.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

As of February 2025, *** percent of recent college graduates who majored in Anthropology were unemployed in the United States. *** percent of recent college graduates who majored in physics were also unemployed.

There were approximately 18.58 million college students in the U.S. in 2022, with around 13.49 million enrolled in public colleges and a further 5.09 million students enrolled in private colleges. The figures are projected to remain relatively constant over the next few years.

What is the most expensive college in the U.S.? The overall number of higher education institutions in the U.S. totals around 4,000, and California is the state with the most. One important factor that students – and their parents – must consider before choosing a college is cost. With annual expenses totaling almost 78,000 U.S. dollars, Harvey Mudd College in California was the most expensive college for the 2021-2022 academic year. There are three major costs of college: tuition, room, and board. The difference in on-campus and off-campus accommodation costs is often negligible, but they can change greatly depending on the college town.

The differences between public and private colleges Public colleges, also called state colleges, are mostly funded by state governments. Private colleges, on the other hand, are not funded by the government but by private donors and endowments. Typically, private institutions are  much more expensive. Public colleges tend to offer different tuition fees for students based on whether they live in-state or out-of-state, while private colleges have the same tuition cost for every student.

Lebanon Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data was reported at 21.987 % in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 56.010 % for 2018. Lebanon Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 38.998 % from Dec 2018 (Median) to 2019, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 56.010 % in 2018 and a record low of 21.987 % in 2019. Lebanon Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Lebanon – Table LB.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Bachelor's or equivalent.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

Graph and download economic data for Civilian Labor Force - College Graduates - Bachelor's Degree, 16 years and over, Women (CGBDLW16O) from Jan 2000 to Sep 2025 about tertiary schooling, females, civilian, education, labor force, 16 years +, labor, household survey, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Civilian Labor Force Level - Bachelor's Degree and Higher, 25 Yrs. & over (LNS11027662) from Jan 1992 to Aug 2025 about 25 years +, tertiary schooling, civilian, education, labor force, labor, household survey, and USA.

Cambodia Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data was reported at 3.237 % in 2021. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.079 % for 2020. Cambodia Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 3.349 % from Dec 2012 (Median) to 2021, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.715 % in 2016 and a record low of 0.121 % in 2019. Cambodia Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: % Cumulative: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Cambodia – Table KH.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Bachelor's or equivalent.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;

As of 2024, 98 percent of internet users in the United States were collage graduates or had some college degree. On the contrary, 93 percent of them had a high school or less education.

Germany DE: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data was reported at 25.306 % in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 24.831 % for 2021. Germany DE: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 20.690 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2022, with 13 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 25.306 % in 2022 and a record low of 0.730 % in 2011. Germany DE: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Social: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Bachelor's or equivalent.;UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). UIS.Stat Bulk Data Download Service. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds.;;