Least educated counties in Maine
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 Maine 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 Maine.
#16. Cumberland County
- 47.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 4.8% ($23,814 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 22.2% ($31,729)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.4% ($39,665)
- Bachelor's degree: 29.2% ($51,031)
- Graduate or professional degree: 18.4% ($65,124)
#15. Sagadahoc County
- 36.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6% ($21,452 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30% ($31,615)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($40,947)
- Bachelor's degree: 20.9% ($48,432)
- Graduate or professional degree: 15.4% ($58,875)
#14. Hancock County
- 34.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.9% ($25,813 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.8% ($30,793)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($33,190)
- Bachelor's degree: 20% ($41,367)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14% ($51,735)
#13. Knox County
- 33.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.4% ($26,214 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.9% ($29,032)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.1% ($30,575)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.2% ($38,710)
- Graduate or professional degree: 12.4% ($53,740)
#12. Lincoln County
- 33.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7% ($21,818 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.4% ($29,560)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.2% ($32,013)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.3% ($42,155)
- Graduate or professional degree: 15.2% ($53,250)
#11. York County
- 32.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($30,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30% ($34,072)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($39,955)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.4% ($49,226)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.1% ($59,477)
#10. Waldo County
- 31.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.8% ($21,569 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.2% ($27,590)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.6% ($32,444)
- Bachelor's degree: 20.1% ($41,195)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.3% ($51,734)
#9. Kennebec County
- 28.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.5% ($23,921 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.7% ($31,022)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.7% ($36,302)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.2% ($44,978)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.9% ($63,256)
#8. Penobscot County
- 27.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.1% ($25,292 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.6% ($29,097)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($33,322)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.5% ($43,572)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.2% ($58,941)
#7. Franklin County
- 24.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.4% ($15,028 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38% ($29,488)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($32,358)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.6% ($40,630)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.2% ($50,273)
#6. Androscoggin County
- 22.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($21,189 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.5% ($31,996)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32% ($36,742)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.2% ($47,124)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.6% ($62,574)
#5. Washington County
- 22% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.7% ($23,417 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38% ($27,250)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.3% ($27,792)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.1% ($35,357)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8% ($42,990)
#4. Oxford County
- 19.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.1% ($23,671 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42% ($27,432)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.7% ($30,130)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.7% ($38,704)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($52,983)
#3. Aroostook County
- 19.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.4% ($19,094 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.3% ($27,079)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32% ($34,478)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.1% ($43,575)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($52,764)
#2. Piscataquis County
- 18.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.7% ($16,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.7% ($26,181)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($31,342)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($36,921)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($47,500)
#1. Somerset County
- 16.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.6% ($13,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($27,126)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.6% ($32,099)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.7% ($43,397)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($59,792)
