U.S. Most Educated Cities

[amber]

As if no one else doesn't have MSN news. I love these little factoid tidbits.



Most-Educated Cities in the United States

Seattle tops the list of America's most educated cities, with more than half its population 25 years and older holding at least a bachelor's degree.

Data collected by the Census Bureau's American Community Survey shows that 51.3 percent of 25-and-over Seattleites have a bachelor's degree or higher, closely followed by San Francisco (51.0 percent), Raleigh, North Carolina (49.7 percent), Washington, D.C. (47.7 percent), and Austin, Texas (45.1 percent).

The national college graduation rate is 25.9 percent.

Education levels bode well for a city's economic success. More than half of America's 20 most educated cities also rank at the top of the list of the country's most prosperous cities, not surprising given that college graduates earn an average of nearly $2.1 million in their lifetimes, almost twice as much as those with only a high school diploma.

With a median household income of $71,765, residents of San Jose, California, earn more, on average, than any other city in the country. San Jose residents are also well-educated. With 37.3% of its population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, San Jose ranks number 13 on America’s list of most-educated cities. San Franciscans are consistent, placing second in both educational attainment and income ($60,031).
Those smarty Seattleites? They have the eighth highest median household income in the U.S.

Here's how educational attainment compares to median household income in the 20 most-educated cities in America, listed in order of education rank:

City, in order of education rank
Percent of population with college degree or higher
Median household income & (rank)

1. Seattle, WA
51.3
$46,650 (8)

2. San Francisco, CA
51.0
$60,031 (2)

3. Raleigh, NC
49.7
$47,878 (7)

4. Washington, DC
47.7
$46,574 (9)

5. Austin, TX
45.1
$45,508 (15)

6. Atlanta, GA
42.9
$37,385 (50)

7. Minneapolis, MN
41.1
$44,116 (20)

8. Boston, MA
40.9
$45,892 (13)

9. Lexington-Fayette, KY
39.2
$38,322 (43)

10. San Diego, CA
39.0
$51,382 (5)

11. Portland, OR
37.8
$41,128 (28)

12. Oakland, CA
37.7
$46,190 (11) <=== I was suprised we were this high. Until I realized UC Berkeley is right here, not to mention 2 universities in SF. Then I thought we should be way higher.

13. San Jose, CA
37.3
$71,765 (1)

14. Charlotte, NC
37.2
$46,082 (12)

15. Denver, CO
35.9
$43,777 (21)

16. Honolulu, HI
34.4
$46,500 (10)

17. Colorado Springs, CO
34.1
$45,388 (16)

18. Pittsburgh, PA
33.6
$31,910 (59)

18. St. Paul, MN
33.6
$38,731 (41)

19. Cincinnati, OH
33.5
$31,960 (58)

19. Virginia Beach, VA
33.5
$55,781 (4)



Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

Clearly many factors will determine a city's relative prosperity. But just as a well-educated individual has a leg up in the workforce, high educational achievement among a city's population seems to give it clear advantages in developing its civic and financial health.

[skcin]

We're not on there because everyone comes to school here to get an affordable education and then they leave.

[cliffdweller]

Austin, Tx #5! That's right, you bettah recognize foos!

How educated is that response?

[amber]

Originally Posted by skcin

We're not on there because everyone comes to school here to get an affordable education and then they leave.

I guess it's pretty crappy there then, huh?

[skcin]

Originally Posted by amber

I guess it's pretty crappy there then, huh?

Eh, it's coming around again. Of course they've been saying that for years. I love it here - of course being in the medical field there are plenty of jobs available. But industry, financial, those types of jobs - not so much. It's hard to recover when your city is built on industry & then all the factories move or close.

[GypsySorcerer]

Wow, Lexington is #9. Probably because everyone goes to UK and then never leaves.

[SuzeQuze]

I'm surprised to see Virginia Beach on there! It is a really fun place but I wouldn't have guessed that there were so many wicked smaht people there!

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by GypsySorcerer

Wow, Lexington is #9. Probably because everyone goes to UK and then never leaves.

Same with U.T.! These people need to get out of here because they're glutting the market with all their various degrees and taking up good jobs that I want dammit!

[amber]

Originally Posted by skcin

Eh, it's coming around again. Of course they've been saying that for years. I love it here - of course being in the medical field there are plenty of jobs available. But industry, financial, those types of jobs - not so much. It's hard to recover when your city is built on industry & then all the factories move or close.

Also probably when it's freezing cold and butt ugly.

JK - I have never seen Buffalo, and you've told me about some cool spots.

[amber]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

Same with U.T.! These people need to get out of here because they're glutting the market with all their various degrees and taking up good jobs that I want dammit!

Uh...don't you have various degrees?

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by amber

Uh...don't you have various degrees?

yes, and everyone here is like me! So, glutted market!

[amber]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

yes, and everyone here is like me! So, glutted market!

They all just called, they think you should leave.

[irishgrl]

personally, Id say its a wrong number......

yes, its I'd, and it's. so what?

[DavidMn]

St Paul's up there, that's nice to see.

[irishgrl]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

St Paul's up there, that's nice to see.

You're a sweetie! remind me again why I love you !!!!!