Least educated county in every state
The value of a traditional education can vary widely across the country. While a college degree has long been viewed as a critical step towards the American dream, burgeoning costs have led many to reconsider the return-on-investment of higher education. Meanwhile, local economies and individual circumstances can push some towards learning a trade or entering the workforce early.
These considerations aside, the 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 used data from the 2012-2016 American Community Survey to construct a weighted index which measures the relative education level for every county in the United States. This index evaluates each county's over-25 population across seven educational tiers, ranging from individuals not educated past 8th grade to those with graduate or professional degrees. For each segment of these tiers, a points-based indexing system was applied in direct proportion to the estimated years of schooling for each level of educational attainment. Lastly, the full range of index scores was normalized to a 0 to 100 scale, with 100 representing the most educated county in the United States.
For each county, we've included supporting educational attainment data as well as how it ranks nationally. Read on to explore the least educated county in every state.
RELATED: Click here to find out what states are spending the most & least per student on education
Alabama: Bullock County
Education index (out of 100): 74.1
Less than 9th grade: 7.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 25.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.1%
Some college, no degree: 18.3%
Associate's degree: 3.9%
Bachelor's degree: 4.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.4%
Rank (of all counties): 3,067/3,141
Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area
Education index (out of 100): 73.4
Less than 9th grade: 8.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 13.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 52.2%
Some college, no degree: 19.3%
Associate's degree: 2.1%
Bachelor's degree: 2.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
Rank (of all counties): 3,094/3,141
Note: Kusilvak Census Area is known as a county equivalent, representing a county-sized subdivision of the state's Unorganized Borough.
Arizona: La Paz County
Education index (out of 100): 75.0
Less than 9th grade: 9.9%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 36.4%
Some college, no degree: 22.1%
Associate's degree: 6.1%
Bachelor's degree: 6.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.8%
Rank (of all counties): 2,977/3,141
Arkansas: Sevier County
Education index (out of 100): 73.4
Less than 9th grade: 15.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 15.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.6%
Some college, no degree: 20.7%
Associate's degree: 5.0%
Bachelor's degree: 5.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.6%
Rank (of all counties): 3,098/3,141
California: Imperial County
Education index (out of 100): 74.1
Less than 9th grade: 18.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.2%
High school graduate/equivalent: 22.5%
Some college, no degree: 24.1%
Associate's degree: 6.5%
Bachelor's degree: 9.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Rank (of all counties): 3,066/3,141
Colorado: Bent County
Education index (out of 100): 76.6
Less than 9th grade: 6.9%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 45.5%
Some college, no degree: 19.0%
Associate's degree: 10.2%
Bachelor's degree: 6.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.9%
Rank (of all counties): 2,663/3,141
Connecticut: Windham County
Education index (out of 100): 81.9
Less than 9th grade: 4.2%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 33.3%
Some college, no degree: 21.7%
Associate's degree: 9.2%
Bachelor's degree: 14.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 9.4%
Rank (of all counties): 918/3,141
Delaware: Kent County
Education index (out of 100): 81.3
Less than 9th grade: 4.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.7%
High school graduate/equivalent: 33.6%
Some college, no degree: 21.6%
Associate's degree: 8.6%
Bachelor's degree: 14.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 8.7%
Rank (of all counties): 1,098/3,141
Florida: Hendry County
Education index (out of 100): 71.3
Less than 9th grade: 22.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.7%
High school graduate/equivalent: 31.7%
Some college, no degree: 16.0%
Associate's degree: 6.1%
Bachelor's degree: 5.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Rank (of all counties): 3,128/3,141
Georgia: Stewart County
Education index (out of 100): 71.4
Less than 9th grade: 18.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 19.6%
High school graduate/equivalent: 35.3%
Some college, no degree: 12.1%
Associate's degree: 4.3%
Bachelor's degree: 8.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
Rank (of all counties): 3,126/3,141
Hawaii: Maui County
Education index (out of 100): 83.0
Less than 9th grade: 3.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 4.6%
High school graduate/equivalent: 31.5%
Some college, no degree: 24.6%
Associate's degree: 10.1%
Bachelor's degree: 17.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 8.2%
Rank (of all counties): 625/3,141
Idaho: Clark County
Education index (out of 100): 73.3
Less than 9th grade: 24.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 5.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 31.7%
Some college, no degree: 20.0%
Associate's degree: 2.6%
Bachelor's degree: 11.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.2%
Rank (of all counties): 3,101/3,141
Illinois: Alexander County
Education index (out of 100): 75.1
Less than 9th grade: 7.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 17.2%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.2%
Some college, no degree: 25.2%
Associate's degree: 6.6%
Bachelor's degree: 6.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.3%
Rank (of all counties): 2,962/3,141
Indiana: LaGrange County
Education index (out of 100): 71.3
Less than 9th grade: 28.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.6%
High school graduate/equivalent: 32.0%
Some college, no degree: 14.0%
Associate's degree: 7.1%
Bachelor's degree: 7.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Rank (of all counties): 3,127/3,141
Iowa: Crawford County
Education index (out of 100): 75.6
Less than 9th grade: 13.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 37.7%
Some college, no degree: 19.5%
Associate's degree: 9.7%
Bachelor's degree: 9.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.5%
Rank (of all counties): 2,872/3,141
Kansas: Seward County
Education index (out of 100): 73.0
Less than 9th grade: 20.2%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 25.3%
Some college, no degree: 20.2%
Associate's degree: 8.3%
Bachelor's degree: 8.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 3%
Rank (of all counties): 3,107/3,141
Kentucky: Leslie County
Education index (out of 100): 71.8
Less than 9th grade: 18.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 18.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.6%
Some college, no degree: 16.1%
Associate's degree: 3.3%
Bachelor's degree: 6.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Rank (of all counties): 3,122/3,141
Louisiana: Evangeline Parish
Education index (out of 100): 74.1
Less than 9th grade: 13.7%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 15.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 36.6%
Some college, no degree: 17.4%
Associate's degree: 5.4%
Bachelor's degree: 8.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.4%
Rank (of all counties): 3,064/3,141
Maine: Somerset County
Education index (out of 100): 79.5
Less than 9th grade: 3.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 41.8%
Some college, no degree: 19.2%
Associate's degree: 11.2%
Bachelor's degree: 10.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.9%
Rank (of all counties): 1,793/3,141
Maryland: Somerset County
Education index (out of 100): 77.0
Less than 9th grade: 5.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 15.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 41.7%
Some college, no degree: 19.1%
Associate's degree: 4.4%
Bachelor's degree: 8.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,564/3,141
Massachusetts: Bristol County
Education index (out of 100): 81.2
Less than 9th grade: 8.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 30.0%
Some college, no degree: 18.1%
Associate's degree: 9.1%
Bachelor's degree: 16.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 9.7%
Rank (of all counties): 1,124/3,141
Michigan: Lake County
Education index (out of 100): 76.4
Less than 9th grade: 4.9%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 13.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 42.6%
Some college, no degree: 22.9%
Associate's degree: 7.6%
Bachelor's degree: 5.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Rank (of all counties): 2,701/3,141
Minnesota: Nobles County
Education index (out of 100): 76.0
Less than 9th grade: 14.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 33.2%
Some college, no degree: 20.8%
Associate's degree: 9.7%
Bachelor's degree: 9.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 4%
Rank (of all counties): 2,813/3,141
Mississippi: Issaquena County
Education index (out of 100): 72.7
Less than 9th grade: 13.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 19.7%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.4%
Some college, no degree: 20.3%
Associate's degree: 2.8%
Bachelor's degree: 4.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.3%
Rank (of all counties): 3,112/3,141
Missouri: Mississippi County
Education index (out of 100): 74.2
Less than 9th grade: 11.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 16.1%
High school graduate/equivalent: 39.1%
Some college, no degree: 19.6%
Associate's degree: 2.7%
Bachelor's degree: 8.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Rank (of all counties): 3,055/3,141
Montana: Wheatland County
Education index (out of 100): 75.9
Less than 9th grade: 18.2%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 5.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 33.1%
Some college, no degree: 21.0%
Associate's degree: 2.8%
Bachelor's degree: 15.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 4%
Rank (of all counties): 2,820/3,141
Nebraska: Dakota County
Education index (out of 100): 74.7
Less than 9th grade: 17.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 35.9%
Some college, no degree: 19.5%
Associate's degree: 6.0%
Bachelor's degree: 8.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Rank (of all counties): 3,016/3,141
Nevada: Pershing County
Education index (out of 100): 76.1
Less than 9th grade: 9.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 12.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 35.1%
Some college, no degree: 24.0%
Associate's degree: 8.1%
Bachelor's degree: 6.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,777/3,141
New Hampshire: Coos County
Education index (out of 100): 79.9
Less than 9th grade: 3.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 39.2%
Some college, no degree: 20.4%
Associate's degree: 10.5%
Bachelor's degree: 11.7%
Graduate or professional degree: 6%
Rank (of all counties): 1,603/3,141
New Jersey: Cumberland County
Education index (out of 100): 76.2
Less than 9th grade: 9.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 13.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 39.3%
Some college, no degree: 17.1%
Associate's degree: 6.7%
Bachelor's degree: 10.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.1%
Rank (of all counties): 2,762/3,141
New Mexico: Luna County
Education index (out of 100): 73.9
Less than 9th grade: 17.2%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 13.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 32.8%
Some college, no degree: 17.9%
Associate's degree: 6.1%
Bachelor's degree: 7.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.3%
Rank (of all counties): 3,077/3,141
New York: Bronx County
Education index (out of 100): 76.3
Less than 9th grade: 14.7%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.2%
High school graduate/equivalent: 27.4%
Some college, no degree: 17.7%
Associate's degree: 6.9%
Bachelor's degree: 12.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 6.6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,723/3,141
North Carolina: Tyrrell County
Education index (out of 100): 74.3
Less than 9th grade: 7.7%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 19.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 39.3%
Some college, no degree: 20.5%
Associate's degree: 4.9%
Bachelor's degree: 4.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.9%
Rank (of all counties): 3,053/3,141
North Dakota: Logan County
Education index (out of 100): 77.0
Less than 9th grade: 10.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 4.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 41.6%
Some college, no degree: 19.9%
Associate's degree: 9.1%
Bachelor's degree: 12.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.7%
Rank (of all counties): 2,569/3,141
Ohio: Holmes County
Education index (out of 100): 68.3
Less than 9th grade: 34.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 36.3%
Some college, no degree: 10.1%
Associate's degree: 4.4%
Bachelor's degree: 5.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.6%
Rank (of all counties): 3,138/3,141
Oklahoma: Texas County
Education index (out of 100): 75.9
Less than 9th grade: 16.4%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 11.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 29.5%
Some college, no degree: 18.4%
Associate's degree: 3.8%
Bachelor's degree: 15.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,824/3,141
Oregon: Morrow County
Education index (out of 100): 75.1
Less than 9th grade: 10.1%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.6%
Some college, no degree: 22.7%
Associate's degree: 7.9%
Bachelor's degree: 7.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.5%
Rank (of all counties): 2,946/3,141
Pennsylvania: Forest County
Education index (out of 100): 75.2
Less than 9th grade: 4.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 15.2%
High school graduate/equivalent: 54.6%
Some college, no degree: 13.8%
Associate's degree: 4.1%
Bachelor's degree: 5.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.2%
Rank (of all counties): 2,941/3,141
Rhode Island: Providence County
Education index (out of 100): 81.4
Less than 9th grade: 8.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 29.6%
Some college, no degree: 18.4%
Associate's degree: 7.9%
Bachelor's degree: 16.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 10.8%
Rank (of all counties): 1,057/3,141
South Carolina: Allendale County
Education index (out of 100): 74.5
Less than 9th grade: 9.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 16.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 40.7%
Some college, no degree: 16.4%
Associate's degree: 7.6%
Bachelor's degree: 7.9%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
Rank (of all counties): 3,032/3,141
South Dakota: Buffalo County
Education index (out of 100): 75.1
Less than 9th grade: 6.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 16.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 41.4%
Some college, no degree: 20.5%
Associate's degree: 7.6%
Bachelor's degree: 6.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 1.9%
Rank (of all counties): 2,951/3,141
Tennessee: Lake County
Education index (out of 100): 73.6
Less than 9th grade: 9.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 17.1%
High school graduate/equivalent: 45.6%
Some college, no degree: 14.7%
Associate's degree: 3.6%
Bachelor's degree: 5.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.3%
Rank (of all counties): 3,085/3,141
Texas: Starr County
Education index (out of 100): 67.5
Less than 9th grade: 34.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 17.5%
High school graduate/equivalent: 23.9%
Some college, no degree: 12.0%
Associate's degree: 3.3%
Bachelor's degree: 6.5%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.8%
Rank (of all counties): 3,141/3,141
Utah: Uintah County
Education index (out of 100): 79.1
Less than 9th grade: 2.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 10.4%
High school graduate/equivalent: 34.7%
Some college, no degree: 29.1%
Associate's degree: 8.0%
Bachelor's degree: 11.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Rank (of all counties): 1,916/3,141
Vermont: Essex County
Education index (out of 100): 78.1
Less than 9th grade: 6.9%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 8.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 44.1%
Some college, no degree: 14.6%
Associate's degree: 9.7%
Bachelor's degree: 10.2%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.6%
Rank (of all counties): 2,253/3,141
Virginia: Buchanan County
Education index (out of 100): 73.5
Less than 9th grade: 16.0%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 14.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 35.2%
Some college, no degree: 18.4%
Associate's degree: 6.5%
Bachelor's degree: 6.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Rank (of all counties): 3,093/3,141
Washington: Adams County
Education index (out of 100): 73.0
Less than 9th grade: 24.6%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 9.3%
High school graduate/equivalent: 26.5%
Some college, no degree: 18.6%
Associate's degree: 7.2%
Bachelor's degree: 9.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.4%
Rank (of all counties): 3,110/3,141
West Virginia: McDowell County
Education index (out of 100): 70.9
Less than 9th grade: 14.3%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 20.8%
High school graduate/equivalent: 44.9%
Some college, no degree: 11.8%
Associate's degree: 3.1%
Bachelor's degree: 3.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 2.2%
Rank (of all counties): 3,133/3,141
Wisconsin: Clark County
Education index (out of 100): 76.0
Less than 9th grade: 11.5%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 6.9%
High school graduate/equivalent: 42.5%
Some college, no degree: 19.0%
Associate's degree: 8.6%
Bachelor's degree: 8.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 3.1%
Rank (of all counties): 2,799/3,141
Wyoming: Converse County
Education index (out of 100): 80.1
Less than 9th grade: 2.8%
9th to 12th grade, no diploma: 7.0%
High school graduate/equivalent: 37.9%
Some college, no degree: 24.0%
Associate's degree: 12.8%
Bachelor's degree: 11.0%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.5%
Rank (of all counties): 1,535/3,141
