
Least educated parishes in Louisiana
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 parishes in Louisiana using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Parishes 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 parishes in Louisiana.
#50. Rapides Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 14.5% ($19,923 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.7% ($27,770)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($31,873)
- Bachelor's degree: 13% ($51,167)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($63,947)
#49. Tangipahoa Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 16.3% ($20,254 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.2% ($30,268)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.5% ($34,724)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.9% ($52,234)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($50,914)
#48. Livingston Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 14.8% ($22,497 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.1% ($38,822)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($48,150)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.2% ($53,568)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($55,998)
#47. Plaquemines Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 16.3% ($23,926 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.5% ($36,952)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($37,022)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.8% ($53,284)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($65,313)
#46. Natchitoches Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 11.6% ($19,444 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.1% ($24,001)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.3% ($26,306)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($42,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.7% ($56,130)
#45. Beauregard Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 14.7% ($25,288 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.1% ($31,889)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.4% ($39,187)
- Bachelor's degree: 12% ($44,089)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($58,729)
#44. Vernon Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 13.2% ($23,661 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.2% ($34,239)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29% ($35,546)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.6% ($47,514)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($64,951)
#43. Union Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 14.3% ($21,176 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($31,458)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.6% ($33,686)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($43,477)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($56,696)
#42. Jefferson Davis Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 18.7% ($20,617 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($34,028)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24% ($31,499)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($44,809)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($50,102)
#41. Lafourche Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 21.8% ($26,240 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.5% ($37,952)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.8% ($39,899)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.6% ($50,662)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($62,216)
#40. St. Helena Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 22.4%
- High school graduate: 38.5% ($30,028)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.4% ($42,759)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($43,143)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.7% ($67,500)
#39. St. James Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($16,366 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.1% ($30,276)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($41,944)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.7% ($51,569)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($53,586)
#38. St. John the Baptist Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 13.9% ($29,167 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.8% ($30,516)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.3% ($42,876)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($50,578)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($51,670)
#37. Terrebonne Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 21% ($30,762 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.9% ($32,060)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.4% ($35,204)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($48,025)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($59,525)
#36. Webster Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 16.1% ($19,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42% ($18,906)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.5% ($25,619)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($28,904)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($48,158)
#35. Pointe Coupee Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 20.1% ($31,030 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.3% ($29,817)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.6% ($34,411)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.5% ($55,938)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($49,338)
#34. De Soto Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 17.4% ($20,505 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.6% ($30,740)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.2% ($32,870)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($47,586)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($71,250)
#33. St. Landry Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 23.3% ($19,124 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.2% ($27,884)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.8% ($31,529)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($41,646)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($53,691)
#32. St. Martin Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 18.1% ($25,646 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43% ($31,944)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.4% ($33,098)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($48,274)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($53,500)
#31. Vermilion Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 22.1% ($22,481 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($34,887)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.4% ($42,587)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($46,321)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($77,105)
#30. Concordia Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($21,894 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($25,305)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.3% ($26,282)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.8% ($42,981)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($30,492)
#29. Jackson Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 19.3% ($17,306 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.6% ($26,023)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.1% ($34,688)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($50,129)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($47,500)
#28. Winn Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 18.2% ($23,393 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.8% ($31,757)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.1% ($27,938)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($41,923)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($68,333)
#27. Red River Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 19.3% ($16,667 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.2% ($26,101)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.7% ($36,280)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.4% ($31,719)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4%
#26. Iberville Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 20.4% ($26,162 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($32,800)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.4% ($38,933)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($43,066)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($60,625)
#25. Caldwell Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 23.3% ($23,227 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.5% ($30,511)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.4% ($29,906)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.6% ($44,054)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($41,875)
#24. Catahoula Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 25.7% ($15,978 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.4% ($28,967)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.1% ($45,688)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($44,010)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($64,917)
#23. Iberia Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 20.1% ($26,448 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.7% ($30,744)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.7% ($31,994)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($46,982)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($55,827)
#22. LaSalle Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 22.4% ($26,154 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.5% ($31,069)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.5% ($37,679)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($48,203)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($54,667)
#21. Sabine Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 14.3% ($17,328 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.6% ($31,817)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.8% ($27,437)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($44,583)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($53,266)
#20. Acadia Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 21% ($24,635 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($30,849)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.4% ($32,287)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($50,903)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.3% ($47,188)
#19. Richland Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 21.7% ($20,093 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.9% ($25,023)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($31,114)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.2% ($43,438)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($64,750)
#18. Morehouse Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 20.5% ($19,018 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.9% ($26,179)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.7% ($28,585)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.6% ($46,602)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.3% ($49,358)
#17. Bienville Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 15.9% ($13,500 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.5% ($27,339)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.8% ($32,039)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($43,964)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($60,804)
#16. Claiborne Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 20.5% ($12,031 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.5% ($17,899)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.2% ($19,406)
- Bachelor's degree: 8% ($29,482)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($33,250)
#15. Madison Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 26.1% ($16,709 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.9% ($19,647)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.1% ($26,645)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($48,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($55,511)
#14. Cameron Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 15.3% ($18,962 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($38,566)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.7% ($34,348)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($55,256)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($109,583)
#13. East Feliciana Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 20% ($24,515 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.5% ($32,802)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.8% ($39,243)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($49,716)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($44,659)
#12. Avoyelles Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 23.2% ($24,688 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.8% ($33,818)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.7% ($30,854)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($41,268)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($45,060)
#11. Franklin Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 25.1% ($15,530 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.1% ($30,508)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.9% ($29,620)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($45,793)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($51,583)
#10. West Carroll Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 21.2% ($31,909 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.7% ($30,547)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.4% ($36,114)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($43,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($61,563)
#9. St. Bernard Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($20,864 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.6% ($30,732)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36% ($35,040)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.5% ($44,605)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($52,303)
#8. Washington Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 20.6% ($23,323 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($26,731)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.2% ($27,068)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($41,924)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($46,768)
#7. Evangeline Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 24.3% ($17,832 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.5% ($24,750)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.6% ($30,000)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($41,439)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.9% ($52,555)
#6. Tensas Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 22.5% ($17,455 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.1% ($21,150)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20% ($17,244)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($43,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($88,333)
#5. Allen Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 20.3% ($25,403 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.3% ($32,500)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.1% ($26,881)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($43,929)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($45,444)
#4. St. Mary Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 17.2% ($25,169 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 51% ($38,953)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.5% ($32,337)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($43,103)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($46,191)
#3. Assumption Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 25.7% ($35,139 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.1% ($38,732)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 19.7% ($41,903)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.4% ($50,167)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($57,679)
#2. East Carroll Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 29.5% ($19,375 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.5% ($20,286)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.2% ($25,491)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($41,094)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.2%
#1. Grant Parish
- Less than high school diploma: 17.5% ($20,799 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.8% ($25,990)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.1% ($26,351)
- Bachelor's degree: 6% ($50,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.5% ($46,974)