Contents
A new study released by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the average education level in America has increased over the last decade.
Checkout this video:
The Different Types of Educational Attainment in America
Educational attainment in the United States is the highest in the world. However, the level of education varies depending on which state you reside in. In general, the average education level in America is high school graduate or higher. However, there are some states where the average education level is lower than this.
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of educational attainment in America. According to the most recent data from the US Census Bureau, 86.3% of Americans aged 25 and over have a high school diploma or equivalentas their highest level of educational attainment. This includes individuals who have completed a GED or other alternative high school diploma program.
Despite being the most common level of educational attainment, a high school diploma or equivalent is not always required for certain jobs. Many jobs that are typically considered to be “good jobs”, such as management and professional positions, often require at least some college education. In fact, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that workers with a high school diploma or less are more likely to be unemployed than those with some college education.
Nonetheless, a high school diploma or equivalent is still the most common level of education among American adults and is often necessary for entry-level positions in many industries.
Some college, no degree
This is a type of educational attainment that refers to someone who has completed some college coursework, but has not yet earned a degree. This could mean that the person attended college for a few semesters or even a couple of years, but did not complete the requirements for a degree. Someone with this type of educational attainment would likely have earned some college credits, but would not have a diploma or degree to show for their efforts.
Associate’s degree
An associate’s degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting two years. In the United States, this level of education is typically achieved at community colleges, technical colleges, and some four-year universities. Associate’s degrees are offered in a variety of subject areas, with the most popular being associates in arts (AA), associates in science (AS), and associates in applied science (AAS).
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree earned after completing four years of college. In the United States, a bachelor’s degree typically takes four years to complete and is the minimum level of education required for most professional and managerial jobs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public four-year institution is $23,890, while the average annual cost at a private four-year institution is $32,410.
The Percentage of Americans with Each Educational Attainment
In the United States, the average education level is highest amongst Asians, followed by whites, Hispanics, and African Americans. Asians have the highest level of educational attainment, with 50.8% having at least a bachelor’s degree.
High school diploma or equivalent
As of 2017, 85.6% of Americans aged 25 and over had completed high school or equivalent, which includes obtaining a GED or alternative credential. This represents a small but significant increase from the 84.7% of Americans who had completed high school in 2016.
Some college, no degree
In 2017, 33 percent of Americans 25 and older had completed some college but did not have a degree. This is down from 36 percent in 2007. The decrease is largely due to a drop in the share of adults with a high school diploma or less, as more of these adults have gone on to complete college.
Associate’s degree
In the United States, an associate’s degree is a two-year post-secondary degree. An individual who holds an associate’s degree typically earns 20% more than a high school graduate and 10% less than someone with a bachelor’s degree. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the percentage of Americans 25 and older with an associate’s degree increased from 4% in 1965 to 11% in 2019. The following table shows the percentage of Americans 25 and older with an associate’s degree by sex and race/ethnicity.
-White: 12%
-Black: 8%
-Hispanic: 7%
-Asian: 9%
-Other: 5%
Bachelor’s degree
As of 2017, 33.4% of Americans age 25 and over had completed a bachelor’s degree. This is up from 24.8% in 2000 and 9.7% in 1940.
The Average Education Level in America
Education level in America has been on the rise in recent years. In fact, according to the latest data, the average education level in America is now at an all-time high. The data shows that the average American now has a higher level of education than ever before.
High school diploma or equivalent
In America, the average education level attained by adults aged 25 and older is a high school diploma or equivalent. This is according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s educational attainment statistics from 2019.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2018, 86.6% of adults aged 25 and older had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest level of educational attainment. This includes those who completed high school via a GED or home schooling program.
Furthermore, 27.2% of adults aged 25 and older had some college experience but did not earn a degree, while 14% had earned an Associate’s degree.
The U.S. Census Bureau notes that among those aged 25 and older, the percentage of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher has been steadily increasing over the years. In 2019, 34% of Americans aged 25 and older had earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Some college, no degree
About 33% of Americans have some college education but no degree. This group is sometimes called “some college, no degree” (SCND) or “college dropouts.”
Associate’s degree
In the United States, the average education level is highest among adults aged 25 and older. Among this group, 36 percent have completed at least a bachelor’s degree, and an additional 12 percent have finished some college but do not have a degree. Just over one in ten adults (11%) have an associate’s degree, while 8 percent have completed high school but no further education.
The average education level varies somewhat by gender. Among women 25 and older, 34 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 38 percent of men. Women are also more likely than men to have finished some college but not earned a degree (14% vs. 10%). On the other hand, men are more likely than women to have an associate’s degree (12% vs. 9%) or to have completed high school but no further education (9% vs. 7%).
There is also a large difference in the average education level between blacks and whites. Among black adults 25 and older, 18 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 39 percent of whites. Blacks are also much less likely than whites to have an associate’s degree (5% vs. 12%) or to have completed high school but no further education (6% vs. 9%).
Bachelor’s degree
The majority of Americans (57%) say they have completed at least some college, while 29% say they have a bachelor’s degree or higher, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2019.
Looking at the educational attainment of adults ages 25 and older, 43% have a bachelor’s degree or higher, 25% have some college but no four-year degree, 24% have a high school diploma or equivalent and 8% do not have a high school diploma.
