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.

In an impressive increase from years past, 40.1 percent of women in the United States had completed four years or more of college in 2024. This figure is up from 3.8 percent of women in 1940. A significant increase can also be seen in males, with 37.1 percent of the U.S. male population having completed four years or more of college in 2024, up from 5.5 percent in 1940. 4- and 2-year colleges In the United States, college students are able to choose between attending a 2-year postsecondary program and a 4-year postsecondary program. Generally, attending a 2-year program results in an Associate’s Degree, and 4-year programs result in a Bachelor’s Degree. Many 2-year programs are designed so that attendees can transfer to a college or university offering a 4-year program upon completing their Associate’s. Completion of a 4-year program is the generally accepted standard for entry-level positions when looking for a job. Earnings after college Factors such as gender, degree achieved, and the level of postsecondary education can have an impact on employment and earnings later in life. Some Bachelor’s degrees continue to attract more male students than female, particularly in STEM fields, while liberal arts degrees such as education, languages and literatures, and communication tend to see higher female attendance. All of these factors have an impact on earnings after college, and despite nearly the same rate of attendance within the American population between males and females, men with a Bachelor’s Degree continue to have higher weekly earnings on average than their female counterparts.

In 2021, the District of Columbia had the most highly educated population in the United States, with **** percent of residents over the age of 25 having a Bachelor's degree or higher. Massachusetts followed closely behind, with **** percent of residents having completed a Bachelor's degree or higher. For the United States as a whole, this figure stood at **** percent of the population.

Overall educational attainment measures the highest level of education attained by a given individual: for example, an individual counted in the percentage of the measured population with a master’s or professional degree can be assumed to also have a bachelor’s degree and a high school diploma, but they are not counted in the population percentages for those two categories. Overall educational attainment is the broadest education indicator available, providing information about the measured county population as a whole.

Only members of the population aged 25 and older are included in these educational attainment estimates, sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Champaign County has high educational attainment: over 48 percent of the county's population aged 25 or older has a bachelor's degree or graduate or professional degree as their highest level of education. In comparison, the percentage of the population aged 25 or older in the United States and Illinois with a bachelor's degree in 2023 was 21.8% (+/-0.1) and 22.8% (+/-0.2), respectively. The population aged 25 or older in the U.S. and Illinois with a graduate or professional degree in 2022, respectively, was 14.3% (+/-0.1) and 15.5% (+/-0.2).

Educational attainment data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, which are released annually.

As with any datasets that are estimates rather than exact counts, it is important to take into account the margins of error (listed in the column beside each figure) when drawing conclusions from the data.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of providing the standard 1-year data products, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year data in 2020. This includes a limited number of data tables for the nation, states, and the District of Columbia. The Census Bureau states that the 2020 ACS 1-year experimental tables use an experimental estimation methodology and should not be compared with other ACS data. For these reasons, and because data is not available for Champaign County, no data for 2020 is included in this Indicator.

For interested data users, the 2020 ACS 1-Year Experimental data release includes a dataset on Educational Attainment for the Population 25 Years and Over.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (16 October 2024).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2022 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (29 September 2023).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (6 October 2022).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (4 June 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (4 June 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (13 September 2018).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (13 September 2018). U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (19 September 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2012 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2009 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2008 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2007 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2006 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2005 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).

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.

Graph and download economic data for Employment-Population Ratio - Some College or Associate Degree, 25 Yrs. & over (LNU02327689) from Jan 1992 to Sep 2025 about associate degree, employment-population ratio, 25 years +, tertiary schooling, education, household survey, population, employment, and USA.

In 2021, about ** percent of the United States population aged 25 to 34 years had attained a bachelor's degree or higher. In comparison, only ** percent of the U.S. population aged 65 years or older had a bachelor's degree.

This map shows the percentage of people age 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher education level. 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.

Graph and download economic data for Bachelor's Degree or Higher for New Jersey (GCT1502NJ) from 2006 to 2024 about educational attainment, 25 years +, tertiary schooling, NJ, education, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for People 25 Years and Over Who Have Completed a Bachelor's Degree for the United States (DISCONTINUED) (GCT1502US) from 2006 to 2012 about educational attainment, 25 years +, tertiary schooling, education, and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Bachelor's Degree or Higher for California (GCT1502CA) from 2006 to 2024 about educational attainment, 25 years +, tertiary schooling, education, CA, and USA.

United States US: Educational Attainment: At Least Master's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data was reported at 11.995 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 11.765 % for 2014. United States US: Educational Attainment: At Least Master's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 11.765 % from Dec 2013 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.995 % in 2015 and a record low of 11.566 % in 2013. United States US: Educational Attainment: At Least Master's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Master's or equivalent.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; ;

Graph and download economic data for Civilian Labor Force - College Graduates - Bachelor's Degree, 25 to 64 years, Men (CGBDLM2564) from Jan 2000 to Sep 2025 about 25 to 64 years, tertiary schooling, males, civilian, education, labor force, labor, household survey, and USA.

This statistic shows the percentage of the White, non-Hispanic population aged between 25 and 29 with a bachelor's or a higher level degree in the United States from 1975 to 2021, by gender. In 2021, about ** percent of white, non-Hispanic females had attained at least a bachelor's degree in the United States.

United States US: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data was reported at 32.501 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 31.956 % for 2014. United States US: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 31.956 % from Dec 2013 to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 32.501 % in 2015 and a record low of 31.661 % in 2013. United States US: Educational Attainment: At Least Bachelor's or Equivalent: Population 25+ Years: Total: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed Bachelor's or equivalent.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; ;

Dataset

This dataset was created by Brandon Chung

Released under U.S. Government Works

Contents

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.

This statistic shows the top metropolitan areas with the highest percentage of college graduates in the United States in 2019. In 2019, Boulder in Colorado was ranked first with 64.8 percent of its population having a Bachelor's degree or higher.

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.

US State Education Analysis for Tech Product Launch

About This Dataset

This comprehensive dataset provides detailed educational attainment and demographic analysis across all 50 US states from 2021-2023, specifically designed for tech companies planning strategic market entry and product launch decisions.

Dataset Overview

• 150 rows of data (50 states × 3 years)
• 17 columns of educational, demographic, and economic indicators
• Complete coverage of all US states from 2021-2023
• Ready-to-analyze format with calculated percentages and rankings

Key Features

🎯 Strategic Market Intelligence

• Educational attainment levels by degree type (Bachelor's, Master's, Professional, Doctoral)
• Calculated education scores and state rankings for quick market prioritization
• Median household income data for purchasing power assessment

📊 Comprehensive Demographics

• Population data for adults 25+ (primary tech consumer demographic)
• Household count data for market sizing
• College graduate percentages for targeted marketing

🔢 Advanced Analytics Ready

• Pre-calculated composite education scores
• State rankings based on education levels
• Percentage breakdowns for immediate insights

Column Definitions

Use Cases

🚀 Tech Product Launches

• Identify states with highest concentrations of educated early adopters
• Prioritize markets based on education levels and income
• Size potential customer segments by state

📈 Market Research & Analysis

• Compare educational demographics across regions
• Analyze trends in educational attainment over time
• Correlate education levels with income potential

🎯 Customer Segmentation

• Target high-value customer segments (graduate degree holders)
• Develop region-specific marketing strategies
• Plan B2B tech sales territories

📊 Business Intelligence

• Regional expansion planning
• Competitive market analysis
• Investment and resource allocation decisions

Data Quality & Sources

• Primary Sources: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Data Validation: Cross-referenced against multiple official sources
• Calculation Methodology: All percentages and scores calculated using consistent formulas
• Update Frequency: Annual updates as new official data becomes available

Sample Insights

The dataset reveals that Massachusetts consistently ranks #1 in education metrics with: - 47.78% college graduation rate (2023) - 22.42% graduate degree holders - $99,858 median household income - Education score of 28.76

Perfect for identifying premium tech markets and highly-educated consumer bases for sophisticated technology products.

This dataset is ideal for data scientists, market researchers, business analysts, and tech companies looking to make data-driven decisions about market entry, customer targeting, and regional strategy.