Least educated counties in Minnesota
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota.
#50. Kandiyohi County
- 23.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11% ($25,257 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.9% ($30,462)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.9% ($37,300)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.1% ($45,199)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.2% ($66,065)
#49. Cass County
- 23.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.8% ($25,665 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.3% ($29,194)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.7% ($31,850)
- Bachelor's degree: 16% ($44,628)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.2% ($56,700)
#48. Itasca County
- 23.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6% ($21,399 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30% ($30,750)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.9% ($34,913)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.8% ($47,791)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.2% ($67,917)
#47. Le Sueur County
- 23% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.1% ($31,500 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.8% ($36,488)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.1% ($42,244)
- Bachelor's degree: 17% ($52,656)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($62,368)
#46. Pope County
- 22.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.9% ($34,219 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.4% ($30,653)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.7% ($39,483)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.9% ($50,927)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7% ($54,038)
#45. Jackson County
- 22.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.3% ($29,318 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.7% ($33,867)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.4% ($34,057)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.1% ($51,238)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($63,194)
#44. Brown County
- 22.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.5% ($25,216 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.1% ($34,490)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.2% ($37,668)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.9% ($44,915)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($60,417)
#43. Fillmore County
- 22.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9% ($25,904 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.1% ($34,886)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.7% ($40,174)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.7% ($49,401)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($55,718)
#42. Mower County
- 22.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.4% ($27,241 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32% ($32,180)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.5% ($39,398)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.7% ($48,425)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.5% ($59,830)
#41. Carlton County
- 22.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6% ($18,882 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.1% ($29,965)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.7% ($40,841)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.1% ($49,776)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($62,500)
#40. Chisago County
- 21.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.4% ($31,078 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.8% ($39,796)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.4% ($48,164)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.3% ($59,583)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($73,448)
#39. Waseca County
- 21.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7% ($25,461 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.4% ($31,621)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.1% ($37,673)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.1% ($50,752)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($59,297)
#38. Pipestone County
- 21.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.4% ($20,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.5% ($30,720)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.9% ($33,419)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.5% ($48,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($76,477)
#37. Murray County
- 20.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.7% ($28,385 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.3% ($31,715)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.2% ($39,280)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.9% ($42,407)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($63,317)
#36. Martin County
- 20.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($25,978 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.9% ($32,500)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.8% ($36,880)
- Bachelor's degree: 15% ($47,649)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($78,561)
#35. Roseau County
- 20.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.1% ($26,080 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.1% ($35,602)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.5% ($39,765)
- Bachelor's degree: 16% ($49,899)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($61,630)
#34. Cottonwood County
- 20% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($31,326 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36% ($30,644)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.4% ($32,217)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.2% ($44,730)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($59,808)
#33. Swift County
- 19.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.5% ($22,500 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.7% ($31,108)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.3% ($35,508)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.7% ($50,543)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($62,344)
#32. Meeker County
- 19.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.4% ($27,714 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.3% ($34,897)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.8% ($39,101)
- Bachelor's degree: 14% ($49,837)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($64,315)
#31. Pennington County
- 19.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($26,658 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.1% ($31,960)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.7% ($42,179)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.5% ($49,792)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($63,043)
#30. Lincoln County
- 19.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.1% ($31,932 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.3% ($30,840)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.3% ($37,865)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.4% ($48,015)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($52,426)
#29. Norman County
- 19.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.1% ($27,167 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.9% ($31,531)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36% ($38,640)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.9% ($44,954)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($46,250)
#28. Redwood County
- 19.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.1% ($23,833 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.4% ($30,009)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.4% ($35,822)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.7% ($47,431)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($54,545)
#27. Marshall County
- 19.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10% ($30,380 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.9% ($35,856)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34% ($37,265)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.4% ($49,583)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($55,313)
#26. Chippewa County
- 19% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($23,125 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.1% ($29,110)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.3% ($38,612)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.6% ($51,895)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($58,594)
#25. Lac qui Parle County
- 18.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($19,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37% ($31,168)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.5% ($34,113)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.8% ($45,625)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($63,598)
#24. Grant County
- 18.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.1% ($31,313 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.3% ($29,934)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.9% ($36,545)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.3% ($42,269)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($48,438)
#23. Faribault County
- 18.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.4% ($23,073 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.7% ($32,275)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.3% ($35,866)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.4% ($48,301)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($59,244)
#22. Isanti County
- 18.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.4% ($31,109 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.6% ($41,308)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.4% ($44,779)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($54,257)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($70,086)
#21. Aitkin County
- 18.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($26,081 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.9% ($27,033)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.4% ($32,480)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.7% ($43,594)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($56,563)
#20. McLeod County
- 17.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.9% ($20,728 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36% ($35,890)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.5% ($39,300)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.6% ($55,280)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($62,063)
#19. Traverse County
- 17.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($40,357 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.4% ($26,250)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.4% ($32,713)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.2% ($48,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($58,750)
#18. Morrison County
- 17.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.3% ($29,038 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.3% ($31,482)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.1% ($36,635)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.5% ($45,466)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($61,444)
#17. Yellow Medicine County
- 17.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($30,625 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.4% ($32,053)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.6% ($35,445)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($42,188)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($55,096)
#16. Freeborn County
- 17.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.2% ($25,955 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35% ($31,725)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.6% ($37,679)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.3% ($48,809)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($60,709)
#15. Clearwater County
- 17.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.9% ($31,989 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.9% ($31,100)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.1% ($35,417)
- Bachelor's degree: 13% ($42,986)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($61,458)
#14. Lake of the Woods County
- 16.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7% ($20,938 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($28,917)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.7% ($27,044)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.3% ($44,837)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.3% ($73,456)
#13. Sibley County
- 16.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.3% ($23,836 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.2% ($36,687)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.1% ($43,092)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.6% ($51,276)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($54,792)
#12. Red Lake County
- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.3% ($28,167 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.5% ($34,906)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.9% ($39,911)
- Bachelor's degree: 13% ($52,917)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($47,500)
#11. Koochiching County
- 15.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.2% ($15,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.7% ($31,894)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.6% ($34,869)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.2% ($55,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($87,866)
#10. Watonwan County
- 15.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.6% ($33,981 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($30,638)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.8% ($36,593)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.7% ($45,817)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($57,750)
#9. Big Stone County
- 15.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.4% ($21,563 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45% ($30,742)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.2% ($35,952)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.9% ($44,444)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($65,250)
#8. Nobles County
- 15.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.8% ($31,295 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.3% ($31,046)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.6% ($37,316)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.1% ($42,037)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($52,792)
#7. Renville County
- 15.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.5% ($28,814 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.6% ($33,853)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.7% ($38,320)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.7% ($48,258)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($58,929)
#6. Todd County
- 15.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.9% ($32,340 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.7% ($31,694)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.3% ($35,870)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($46,853)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($50,313)
#5. Pine County
- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.6% ($23,382 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.7% ($29,724)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.9% ($32,719)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($44,650)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($59,331)
#4. Kanabec County
- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.7% ($26,500 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.4% ($32,743)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.1% ($35,752)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($50,190)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($62,650)
#3. Mille Lacs County
- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.1% ($24,243 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($31,740)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.5% ($38,899)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($51,285)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($53,988)
#2. Wadena County
- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.4% ($25,288 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.1% ($29,808)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.7% ($32,531)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($39,722)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($42,500)
#1. Mahnomen County
- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.1% ($18,500 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.7% ($30,680)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.9% ($33,320)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($43,693)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($61,250)