In 2019, around 94.5 percent of the population in Vermont and Maine had high school graduation or higher as their highest form of education -- the most out of any state in the country. For the United States as a whole, 89.4 percent of the population were high school graduates or higher.

In 2022, around 91.8 percent of women had graduated high school or had obtained a higher educational degree in the United States. This is an increase from 1960, when 42.5 percent of women in the U.S. had graduated from high school or above.

This statistic shows the percentage of the Black, non-Hispanic population aged between 25 and 29 years with a high school diploma or higher in the United States from 1975 to 2022, by gender. In 2022, about 96.2 percent of Black, non-Hispanic females had attained at least a high school diploma in the United States compared to 94.3 percent of Black, non-Hispanic males.

Graph and download economic data for Employment Level - Less Than a High School Diploma, 25 Yrs. & over (LNS12027659) from Jan 1992 to Feb 2025 about secondary schooling, secondary, 25 years +, education, household survey, employment, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Level - Less than a High School Diploma, 65 years and over, Women (LHSDUW65O) from Jan 2000 to Feb 2025 about 65 years +, secondary schooling, secondary, females, education, household survey, unemployment, and USA.

This layer was developed by the Research & Analytics Group of the Atlanta Regional Commission, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-year estimates for 2013-2017, to show levels of educational attainment by State of Georgia in the Atlanta region. The user should note that American Community Survey data represent estimates derived from a surveyed sample of the population, which creates some level of uncertainty, as opposed to an exact measure of the entire population (the full census count is only conducted once every 10 years and does not cover as many detailed characteristics of the population). Therefore, any measure reported by ACS should not be taken as an exact number – this is why a corresponding margin of error (MOE) is also given for ACS measures. The size of the MOE relative to its corresponding estimate value provides an indication of confidence in the accuracy of each estimate. Each MOE is expressed in the same units as its corresponding measure; for example, if the estimate value is expressed as a number, then its MOE will also be a number; if the estimate value is expressed as a percent, then its MOE will also be a percent. The user should also note that for relatively small geographic areas, such as census tracts shown here, ACS only releases combined 5-year estimates, meaning these estimates represent rolling averages of survey results that were collected over a 5-year span (in this case 2013-2017). Therefore, these data do not represent any one specific point in time or even one specific year. For geographic areas with larger populations, 3-year and 1-year estimates are also available. For further explanation of ACS estimates and margin of error, visit Census ACS website. Naming conventions: Prefixes:NoneCountpPercentrRatemMedianaMean (average)tAggregate (total)chChange in absolute terms (value in t2 - value in t1)pchPercent change ((value in t2 - value in t1) / value in t1)chpChange in percent (percent in t2 - percent in t1)Suffixes:NoneChange over two periods_eEstimate from most recent ACS_mMargin of Error from most recent ACS_00Decennial 2000 Attributes: SumLevelSummary level of geographic unit (e.g., County, Tract, NSA, NPU, DSNI, SuperDistrict, etc)GEOIDCensus tract Federal Information Processing Series (FIPS) code NAMEName of geographic unitPlanning_RegionPlanning region designation for ARC purposesAcresTotal area within the tract (in acres)SqMiTotal area within the tract (in square miles)CountyCounty identifier (combination of Federal Information Processing Series (FIPS) codes for state and county)CountyNameCounty NamePop25P_e# Population 25 years and over, 2017Pop25P_m# Population 25 years and over, 2017 (MOE)NoHS_e# Population 25 years and over, less than 9th grade education, 2017NoHS_m# Population 25 years and over, less than 9th grade education, 2017 (MOE)pNoHS_e% Population 25 years and over, less than 9th grade education, 2017pNoHS_m% Population 25 years and over, less than 9th grade education, 2017 (MOE)SomeHS_e# Population 25 years and over, 9th-12th grade, no diploma, 2017SomeHS_m# Population 25 years and over, 9th-12th grade, no diploma, 2017 (MOE)pSomeHS_e% Population 25 years and over, 9th-12th grade, no diploma, 2017pSomeHS_m% Population 25 years and over, 9th-12th grade, no diploma, 2017 (MOE)HSGrad_e# Population 25 years and over, high school graduate (includes GED), 2017HSGrad_m# Population 25 years and over, high school graduate (includes GED), 2017 (MOE)pHSGrad_e% Population 25 years and over, high school graduate (includes GED), 2017pHSGrad_m% Population 25 years and over, high school graduate (includes GED), 2017 (MOE)SomeColl_e# Population 25 years and over, some college, no degree, 2017SomeColl_m# Population 25 years and over, some college, no degree, 2017 (MOE)pSomeColl_e% Population 25 years and over, some college, no degree, 2017pSomeColl_m% Population 25 years and over, some college, no degree, 2017 (MOE)Associates_e# Population 25 years and over, associate's degree, 2017Associates_m# Population 25 years and over, associate's degree, 2017 (MOE)pAssociates_e% Population 25 years and over, associate's degree, 2017pAssociates_m% Population 25 years and over, associate's degree, 2017 (MOE)BA_e# Population 25 years and over, bachelor's degree, 2017BA_m# Population 25 years and over, bachelor's degree, 2017 (MOE)pBA_e% Population 25 years and over, bachelor's degree, 2017pBA_m% Population 25 years and over, bachelor's degree, 2017 (MOE)GradProf_e# Population 25 years and over, graduate or professional degree, 2017GradProf_m# Population 25 years and over, graduate or professional degree, 2017 (MOE)pGradProf_e% Population 25 years and over, graduate or professional degree, 2017pGradProf_m% Population 25 years and over, graduate or professional degree, 2017 (MOE)LtHS_e# Population 25 years and over, Less than high school graduate, 2017LtHS_m# Population 25 years and over, Less than high school graduate, 2017 (MOE)pLtHS_e% Population 25 years and over, Less than high school graduate, 2017pLtHS_m% Population 25 years and over, Less than high school graduate, 2017 (MOE)HSPlus_e# Population 25 years and over, high school graduate or higher, 2017HSPlus_m# Population 25 years and over, high school graduate or higher, 2017 (MOE)pHSPlus_e% Population 25 years and over, high school graduate or higher, 2017pHSPlus_m% Population 25 years and over, high school graduate or higher, 2017 (MOE)BAPlus_e# Population 25 years and over, bachelor's degree or higher, 2017BAPlus_m# Population 25 years and over, bachelor's degree or higher, 2017 (MOE)pBAPlus_e% Population 25 years and over, bachelor's degree or higher, 2017pBAPlus_m% Population 25 years and over, bachelor's degree or higher, 2017 (MOE)last_edited_dateLast date the feature was edited by ARC Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Atlanta Regional CommissionDate: 2013-2017 For additional information, please visit the Census ACS website.

This statistic shows the percentage of the White, non-Hispanic population aged between 25 and 29 with a high school diploma or higher in the United States from 1975 to 2018, by gender. In 2018, about 96 percent of White, non-Hispanic females had attained at least a high school education in the United States.

This measure presents the high school 4-Year graduation rate for African American Students in Iowa for the most current graduating class available.

Graph and download economic data for Labor Force Participation Rate - High School Graduates, No College, 25 Yrs. & over (LNS11327660) from Jan 1992 to Feb 2025 about secondary schooling, secondary, 25 years +, participation, tertiary schooling, education, labor force, labor, household survey, rate, and USA.

United States Labour Force Parti Rate: 25 & Over: Less than High School Diploma data was reported at 47.000 % in Nov 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 46.900 % for Oct 2018. United States Labour Force Parti Rate: 25 & Over: Less than High School Diploma data is updated monthly, averaging 45.000 % from Jan 1992 (Median) to Nov 2018, with 323 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 47.400 % in Oct 2008 and a record low of 39.000 % in Jul 1995. United States Labour Force Parti Rate: 25 & Over: Less than High School Diploma data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G008: Current Population Survey: Labour Force.

This statistic shows the percentage of the Hispanic population aged between 25 and 29 years with a high school diploma or higher in the United States from 1975 to 2018, by gender. In 2018, about 85 percent of Hispanic females had attained at least a high school education in the United States.

United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Less Than a High School Diploma, 25 Yrs. & over was 42.40% in March of 2022, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Less Than a High School Diploma, 25 Yrs. & over reached a record high of 45.00 in August of 2019 and a record low of 34.20 in April of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Employment-Population Ratio - Less Than a High School Diploma, 25 Yrs. & over - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on March of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Unemployment Rate - High School Graduates, No College, 25 Yrs. & over (LNS14027660) from Jan 1992 to Feb 2025 about secondary schooling, secondary, 25 years +, tertiary schooling, education, household survey, unemployment, rate, and USA.

This map shows the percentage of people age 25+ whose highest education level is a high school degree. This is shown by state, county, and census tracts throughout the US. Zoom to any city to see the pattern there, or use one of the bookmarks to explore different areas. For more information about the education attainment breakdown from the US Census Bureau, click here.The pop-up is configured to show the overall breakdown of educational attainment for the population 25+. The data shown is current-year American Community Survey (ACS) data from the US Census Bureau. The data is updated each year when the ACS releases its new 5-year estimates. For more information about the data, visit this page.To learn more about when the ACS releases data updates, click here.

United States Unemployment Rate: Age 25 & Over: Less Than High School Diploma data was reported at 5.100 % in Oct 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.900 % for Sep 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: Age 25 & Over: Less Than High School Diploma data is updated monthly, averaging 8.500 % from Jan 1992 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 322 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.900 % in Feb 2010 and a record low of 4.600 % in May 2018. United States Unemployment Rate: Age 25 & Over: Less Than High School Diploma data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G018: Current Population Survey: Unemployment Rate.

In 2021, 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.

This map shows high school graduations within the US by graduation rate. This is shown by county, state, and country from the 2022 County Health Rankings. The national average of students who graduate high school is 86%.The data comes from the County Health Rankings 2022 layer. The County Health Rankings, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, measure the health of nearly all counties in the nation and rank them within states. "By ranking the health of nearly every county in the nation, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (CHR&R) illustrates how where we live affects how well and how long we live. CHR&R also shows what each of us can do to create healthier places to live, learn, work, and play – for everyone."Counties are ranked within their state on both health outcomes and health factors. Counties with a lower (better) health outcomes ranking than health factors ranking may see the health of their county decline in the future, as factors today can result in outcomes later. Conversely, counties with a lower (better) factors ranking than outcomes ranking may see the health of their county improve in the future.

United States - Employment-Population Ratio - High School Graduates, No College, 25 Yrs. & over was 54.50% in March of 2022, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Employment-Population Ratio - High School Graduates, No College, 25 Yrs. & over reached a record high of 63.50 in November of 1997 and a record low of 45.20 in April of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Employment-Population Ratio - High School Graduates, No College, 25 Yrs. & over - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on March of 2025.

United States Labour Force Parti Rate: Age 25 & Over: High School Graduate Only data was reported at 57.800 % in Oct 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 58.000 % for Sep 2018. United States Labour Force Parti Rate: Age 25 & Over: High School Graduate Only data is updated monthly, averaging 63.250 % from Jan 1992 (Median) to Oct 2018, with 322 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 66.700 % in Mar 1992 and a record low of 56.900 % in Jun 2016. United States Labour Force Parti Rate: Age 25 & Over: High School Graduate Only data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G008: Current Population Survey: Labour Force.

School enrollment data are used to assess the socioeconomic condition of school-age children. Government agencies also require these data for funding allocations and program planning and implementation.

Data on school enrollment and grade or level attending were derived from answers to Question 10 in the 2015 American Community Survey (ACS). People were classified as enrolled in school if they were attending a public or private school or college at any time during the 3 months prior to the time of interview. The question included instructions to “include only nursery or preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, home school, and schooling which leads to a high school diploma, or a college degree.” Respondents who did not answer the enrollment question were assigned the enrollment status and type of school of a person with the same age, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino origin whose residence was in the same or nearby area.

School enrollment is only recorded if the schooling advances a person toward an elementary school certificate, a high school diploma, or a college, university, or professional school (such as law or medicine) degree. Tutoring or correspondence schools are included if credit can be obtained from a public or private school or college. People enrolled in “vocational, technical, or business school” such as post secondary vocational, trade, hospital school, and on job training were not reported as enrolled in school. Field interviewers were instructed to classify individuals who were home schooled as enrolled in private school. The guide sent out with the mail questionnaire includes instructions for how to classify home schoolers.

Enrolled in Public and Private School – Includes people who attended school in the reference period and indicated they were enrolled by marking one of the questionnaire categories for “public school, public college,” or “private school, private college, home school.” The instruction guide defines a public school as “any school or college controlled and supported primarily by a local, county, state, or federal government.” Private schools are defined as schools supported and controlled primarily by religious organizations or other private groups. Home schools are defined as “parental-guided education outside of public or private school for grades 1-12.” Respondents who marked both the “public” and “private” boxes are edited to the first entry, “public.”

Grade in Which Enrolled – From 1999-2007, in the ACS, people reported to be enrolled in “public school, public college” or “private school, private college” were classified by grade or level according to responses to Question 10b, “What grade or level was this person attending?” Seven levels were identified: “nursery school, preschool;” “kindergarten;” elementary “grade 1 to grade 4” or “grade 5 to grade 8;” high school “grade 9 to grade 12;” “college undergraduate years (freshman to senior);” and “graduate or professional school (for example: medical, dental, or law school).”

In 2008, the school enrollment questions had several changes. “Home school” was explicitly included in the “private school, private college” category. For question 10b the categories changed to the following “Nursery school, preschool,” “Kindergarten,” “Grade 1 through grade 12,” “College undergraduate years (freshman to senior),” “Graduate or professional school beyond a bachelor’s degree (for example: MA or PhD program, or medical or law school).” The survey question allowed a write-in for the grades enrolled from 1-12.

Question/Concept History – Since 1999, the ACS enrollment status question (Question 10a) refers to “regular school or college,” while the 1996-1998 ACS did not restrict reporting to “regular” school, and contained an additional category for the “vocational, technical or business school.” The 1996-1998 ACS used the educational attainment question to estimate level of enrollment for those reported to be enrolled in school, and had a single year write-in for the attainment of grades 1 through 11. Grade levels estimated using the attainment question were not consistent with other estimates, so a new question specifically asking grade or level of enrollment was added starting with the 1999 ACS questionnaire.

Limitation of the Data – Beginning in 2006, the population universe in the ACS includes people living in group quarters. Data users may see slight differences in levels of school enrollment in any given geographic area due to the inclusion of this population. The extent of this difference, if any, depends on the type of group quarters present and whether the group quarters population makes up a large proportion of the total population. For example, in areas that are home to several colleges and universities, the percent of individuals 18 to 24 who were enrolled in college or graduate school would increase, as people living in college dormitories are now included in the universe.