Most and Least Educated Cities in America

Huffington Post featured a slideshow of the most educated and least educated US cities based on the percentage of bachelor’s degree holders. The research done by the Brookings Institute showed that of 100 metropolitan areas, Washington D.C. leads with 46.8% degree holders, followed by Bridgeport, CT, and the San Francisco Bay Area in California with 43% of degree holders. On the reverse side, the Central Valley area of California holds three positions as the least educated with below 20% of degree holders.

Being educated in San Francisco, one of the most educated cities, the results were shocking. I expected a much higher percentage of college degree holders. As a senior in high school, you rarely find anyone who has no plans to pursue a higher education. At the very least, they would be taking general education classes at a junior college with a prospect of transferring to a four year college.

The MOST Educated Cities In America (PHOTOS)

I ended up going to college in Stockton, CA, one of the cities listed as the least educated. It was hard adapting to an agricultural city coming from a large metro city. I had not noticed the disparity in educational attainment while I was in school. After graduation, I accepted an internship so I stayed in the Central Valley for a few more months. I made the mistake of assuming everyone I worked with was either pursuing a college degree or already has one. I was clearly mistaken. I was told that not a lot of people continue school after high school due to financial constraints and because it was not necessary.

The LEAST Educated Cities In America (PHOTOS)

On average, only 27.7% of the US population, age 25 and over, possess a bachelor’s degree. Significant disparities in educational attainment are due to differences in economic and demographic structures, as well as cultural mores. If you notice, the most educated cities are centers for professional and science/technical industries. The least educated cities, such as Stockton, Modesto, and Fresno, are widely agricultural where college education is not necessary. These “trends may be ‘locking in’ longstanding attainment differences across metropolitan areas rather than narrowing the gaps,” states the State of Metropolitan America by the Brookings Institute.

Interactive: State of Metropolitan America Indicator Map

Many studies have shown that educational attainment is the biggest predictor of success for cities and metro areas today. The more educated a city’s population, the more robust its economy will be.

To increase educational attainment, the K-12 system must be in the forefront of reformation. High schools may not be preparing students to pursue a higher education. The federal government should fund many more comparative effectiveness trials of curricula, and schools using federal funds to support the education of disadvantaged students should be required to use evidence of effectiveness in the choice of curriculum materials.

Good education outcomes for students depend on good teachers. Conditions of employment should be restructured to recruit and select more promising teachers, provide opportunities for them to realize their potential, and keep the very best teachers in the profession.