The value of traditional education can vary widely across the country. While a college degree has long been viewed as a critical step toward the American dream, growing costs have led many students to reconsider the return-on-investment of higher education. Meanwhile, local economies and individual circumstances can push others toward learning a trade or entering the workforce early.
These considerations aside, national statistics show a clear difference in earnings as they relate to educational attainment, as college graduates typically earn 65% more than those with only a high school degree.
To help understand areas with the lowest educational attainment, Stacker compiled a list of the least educated counties in Arkansas using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by the lowest percent of the population 25 years and over that has a Bachelor's degree or higher. Ties are broken by the highest percent with less than high school diploma.
Keep read on for a look at the least-educated counties in Arkansas.
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- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.4% ($27,885 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.6% ($35,975)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.8% ($41,694)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.1% ($52,209)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($58,594)
- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.8% ($19,312 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.9% ($30,315)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.2% ($31,763)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.1% ($44,821)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($51,546)
- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.6% ($26,922 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.4% ($24,606)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.9% ($30,904)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($40,085)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($46,475)
- 16% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15% ($27,769 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.3% ($31,069)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.7% ($35,259)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($45,755)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($55,756)
- 15.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.2% ($24,737 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.1% ($28,636)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.8% ($31,343)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($33,721)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($45,845)
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- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.1% ($20,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.9% ($31,737)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($31,378)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($50,417)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($54,963)
- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.3% ($25,304 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.2% ($24,250)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.6% ($26,528)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.6% ($45,385)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($80,455)
- 15.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.9% ($21,372 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.8% ($26,284)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.6% ($31,587)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.9% ($43,015)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($65,399)
- 15.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.1% ($25,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.8% ($30,000)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.6% ($27,350)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($40,817)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($61,000)
- 15.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.8% ($21,140 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($27,457)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($27,898)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.7% ($33,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($44,627)
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- 15.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($18,667 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.9% ($32,885)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.8% ($32,344)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($47,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($49,091)
- 15.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.1% ($21,363 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.7% ($26,176)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.9% ($34,514)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($36,394)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($61,220)
- 15.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.4% ($20,755 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.8% ($30,328)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.7% ($28,966)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($43,402)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($47,448)
- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.6% ($37,658 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43% ($27,606)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.8% ($26,296)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($37,463)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($46,154)
- 14.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.9% ($28,935 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($22,667)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($31,233)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($42,398)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($52,797)
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- 14.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.9% ($16,900 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.6% ($25,814)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($28,080)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($37,546)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($57,643)
- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.4% ($19,950 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.5% ($30,763)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($33,008)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($51,524)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($51,517)
- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.9% ($29,508 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($32,813)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.4% ($39,434)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($43,994)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($53,679)
- 14.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.4% ($23,076 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.9% ($31,318)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.5% ($30,754)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($47,303)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($53,682)
- 14.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15% ($23,534 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.5% ($22,785)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.3% ($27,123)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($36,417)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($49,531)
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- 14.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.9% ($23,591 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.6% ($27,184)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.4% ($25,406)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($42,431)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($54,010)
- 14% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.3% ($23,170 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.8% ($32,589)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.9% ($33,993)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($46,711)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($59,712)
- 13.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.8%
- High school graduate: 34.9% ($24,399)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.4% ($17,035)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($41,633)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($61,047)
- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.2% ($21,717 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.1% ($29,809)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.9% ($25,730)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($41,582)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($58,795)
- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.9% ($25,858 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.8% ($26,655)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($30,206)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($42,803)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($61,779)
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- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.7% ($25,896 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.9% ($23,603)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.5% ($27,895)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($42,868)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($54,909)
- 13.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.7% ($20,775 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.4% ($25,915)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.3% ($28,050)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($43,170)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.3% ($55,038)
- 13.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.2% ($21,034 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.4% ($26,357)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($27,276)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($50,288)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($44,764)
- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.8% ($17,825 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.1% ($26,659)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.8% ($28,085)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($37,926)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($49,539)
- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.1% ($21,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39% ($30,265)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.6% ($31,093)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($36,831)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($49,968)
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- 13.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.2% ($25,083 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38% ($22,763)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.7% ($30,060)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($41,274)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($44,330)
- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.8% ($26,070 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40% ($30,352)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.4% ($31,135)
- Bachelor's degree: 9% ($38,017)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($48,545)
- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.5% ($25,828 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.5% ($26,669)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.2% ($30,120)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($47,344)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($39,186)
- 12.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.1% ($26,094 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.7% ($33,875)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.6% ($29,313)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($53,095)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($63,728)
- 12.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.1% ($32,610 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($30,572)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.9% ($31,276)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($45,978)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($56,838)
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- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.6% ($22,083 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.9% ($28,685)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($23,579)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.2% ($37,428)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($50,313)
- 12.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11% ($22,813 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($31,221)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.8% ($32,019)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($48,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($44,875)
- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.7% ($21,290 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.7% ($35,083)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($32,409)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($42,527)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($50,852)
- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.4% ($25,652 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.8% ($23,245)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.5% ($25,630)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($31,379)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.9% ($48,125)
- 12.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.3% ($25,870 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41% ($28,047)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.6% ($29,990)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($40,806)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.2% ($61,136)
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- 11.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16% ($41,005 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.1% ($24,317)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($25,625)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($45,938)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.3% ($45,375)
- 11.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.3% ($20,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.2% ($24,792)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.7% ($21,974)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($32,532)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($54,083)
- 11.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.7% ($33,864 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($27,931)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.2% ($33,806)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($48,009)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($73,661)
- 11.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.7% ($19,977 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.1% ($29,140)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.2% ($30,616)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($41,433)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($46,875)
- 10.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.2% ($26,382 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($24,103)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.7% ($29,514)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.5% ($44,167)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.3%
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- 10.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18% ($22,344 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.6% ($24,601)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.9% ($27,344)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.5% ($42,105)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($44,726)
- 10.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.5% ($20,642 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.9% ($26,146)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.4% ($26,819)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($44,515)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($43,815)
- 10.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.9% ($18,632 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.5% ($22,670)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.5% ($28,338)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.3% ($40,536)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($57,969)
- 9.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.9% ($29,688 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.3% ($24,149)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24% ($33,702)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($50,769)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($45,000)
- 9.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.9% ($21,339 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($28,571)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.1% ($27,543)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.3% ($36,667)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($34,135)
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