Least educated counties in Mississippi

Written by:
May 14, 2022
Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons

Least educated counties in Mississippi

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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi.

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Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Monroe County

- 16.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19% ($17,341 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36% ($31,516)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($33,861)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.9% ($41,655)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($62,500)

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Z28scrambler // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Pike County

- 16.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($18,075 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.9% ($24,860)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.7% ($28,162)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($40,561)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($50,452)

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Chris Crookston // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Coahoma County

- 16.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.5% ($21,799 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.2% ($17,220)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.8% ($23,030)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($34,769)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($41,512)

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Brewri92535 // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Newton County

- 16.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.8% ($28,548 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.9% ($27,438)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.9% ($30,804)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.8% ($45,795)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($56,360)

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Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Lincoln County

- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 13.6% ($21,806 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.6% ($29,701)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.6% ($33,725)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($51,446)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($52,260)

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Simpson County

- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.3% ($18,599 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.1% ($32,722)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.4% ($28,576)
- Bachelor's degree: 12% ($41,984)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($56,738)

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Mthunter58 // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Jefferson County

- 15.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 22% ($22,900 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.9% ($17,266)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($19,798)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($45,455)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.1% ($46,204)

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Catherine Harris // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Tate County

- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17% ($28,248 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.4% ($26,727)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.8% ($34,333)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.7% ($57,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($62,639)

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Woodlot // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Stone County

- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.8% ($30,829 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.9% ($31,825)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.6% ($31,474)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($26,421)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($67,404)

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Rdstephens // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Noxubee County

- 15.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 29.1% ($25,045 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.6% ($23,141)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.7% ($27,283)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.7% ($49,444)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($46,228)

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Jimmy Emerson from Dalton GA // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Sunflower County

- 15.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 25.1% ($17,366 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.2% ($18,600)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($25,934)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($33,649)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($50,075)

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Wayne County

- 15.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.8%
- High school graduate: 38.4% ($28,838)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.6% ($33,857)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.2% ($39,479)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.1% ($48,000)

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Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Tippah County

- 15.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.1% ($30,630 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.2% ($27,495)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($30,925)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($50,156)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($53,008)

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NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Jasper County

- 15.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.8%
- High school graduate: 38.5% ($31,868)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.7% ($30,035)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($38,973)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($47,988)

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NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Panola County

- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.4% ($20,693 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.6% ($27,938)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.1% ($30,608)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($39,325)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($48,711)

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Nlsanfor // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Covington County

- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($20,946 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.6% ($21,603)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.9% ($29,969)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($35,188)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($44,231)

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NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Kemper County

- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.9% ($13,462 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.3% ($17,942)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.1% ($26,786)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.1% ($39,635)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($95,476)

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Mark Hilton // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Winston County

- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.3% ($20,550 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.7% ($23,843)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.2% ($27,737)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($40,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($53,650)

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Copiah County

- 14.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($23,068 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.4% ($25,544)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.3% ($31,262)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.6% ($39,432)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($52,083)

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Walthall County

- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.3% ($25,114 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.8% ($27,442)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.5% ($33,893)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($39,375)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.8% ($46,235)

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Marduk // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Leake County

- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21.4% ($21,667 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.6% ($26,989)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($31,334)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($40,640)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($40,069)

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Jefferson Davis County

- 14.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.6% ($21,813 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.6% ($22,740)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.7% ($30,338)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.6% ($37,337)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.6% ($52,594)

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Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons

#28. Attala County

- 13.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 22.4% ($22,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.4% ($25,278)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.2% ($26,143)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($32,778)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($52,000)

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dmtilley // Wikimedia Commons

#27. George County

- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.7% ($31,875 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.6% ($31,782)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34% ($31,098)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($34,120)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($50,675)

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NatalieMaynor // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Yalobusha County

- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.7% ($16,342 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.2% ($29,409)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.3% ($27,446)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($34,390)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($43,929)

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Magnolia677 // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Marshall County

- 13.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18% ($23,205 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.8% ($31,450)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.5% ($32,264)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($39,203)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($51,684)

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Natalie Maynor // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Wilkinson County

- 13.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 25.2% ($13,169 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.6% ($30,848)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.5% ($26,289)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.5% ($26,406)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($42,875)

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Chillin662 // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Yazoo County

- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21.1% ($20,116 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($20,582)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.9% ($28,168)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($31,159)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($54,079)

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Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Union County

- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21.9% ($26,347 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.7% ($30,361)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($30,551)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($39,173)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($52,526)

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Fredlyfish4 // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Itawamba County

- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21% ($26,047 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.1% ($24,736)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.8% ($33,229)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($49,038)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($48,971)

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Humphreys County

- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 30.2% ($17,458 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.8% ($20,714)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.3% ($30,519)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.3% ($33,173)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($39,213)

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Mac H. Alford // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Amite County

- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.1% ($20,060 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.3% ($31,869)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($30,898)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($28,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($42,143)

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Clarke County

- 12.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.1% ($30,355 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.4% ($29,588)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31% ($32,976)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($38,201)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($50,476)

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Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Prentiss County

- 12.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.9% ($26,833 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.5% ($27,316)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.2% ($27,779)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($39,357)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($46,615)

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Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Chickasaw County

- 12.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 24.6% ($36,227 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.4% ($29,458)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.6% ($28,803)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($38,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.6% ($53,393)

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Gabriel D. May // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Marion County

- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.5% ($20,625 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.3% ($25,706)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($31,843)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($36,107)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($41,507)

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Zeamays // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Carroll County

- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.8% ($24,514 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.4% ($33,750)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.5% ($37,973)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($40,313)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($66,023)

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Natalie Maynor // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Smith County

- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.8% ($33,667 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.2% ($31,359)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($30,633)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($41,607)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($47,738)

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Z28scrambler // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Franklin County

- 12% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.4% ($32,188 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.4% ($36,533)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.2% ($31,657)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($36,167)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($48,125)

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Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Calhoun County

- 11.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 22.5% ($24,758 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.3% ($30,883)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.4% ($31,820)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4% ($52,667)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($41,850)

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CapCase // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Neshoba County

- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.7% ($18,653 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.6% ($26,812)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.1% ($32,073)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($40,867)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($51,585)

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Cohee // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Benton County

- 11.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 27.4% ($37,479 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.4% ($31,261)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.6% ($30,666)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.9% ($31,700)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($46,250)

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Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Tishomingo County

- 11.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.6% ($20,701 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.9% ($26,646)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($32,414)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($42,279)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($46,908)

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Larry D. Moore // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Scott County

- 11.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 26% ($19,575 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.5% ($26,781)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.2% ($34,267)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.9% ($51,217)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($53,373)

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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Perry County

- 10.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.1% ($25,417 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($30,277)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.8% ($27,712)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($55,405)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($40,852)

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Thomas R Machnitzki ([email protected]) // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Quitman County

- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 28.7% ($17,014 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.1% ($21,330)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($27,287)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.6% ($27,857)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($37,083)

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Thomas R Machnitzki // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Tallahatchie County

- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 30.5% ($25,179 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28.8% ($26,509)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.4% ($36,250)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.8% ($41,964)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($38,897)

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Chillin662 // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Holmes County

- 10.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 23.2% ($16,864 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41% ($20,746)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.7% ($25,224)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.8% ($29,865)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($44,722)

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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Greene County

- 9.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 23.8% ($15,040 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.7% ($27,721)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.8% ($31,919)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.2% ($62,863)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($41,856)

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Mississippi Department of Archives and History // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Issaquena County

- 3.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 39.4% ($19,453 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.9% ($35,107)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.5% ($22,604)
- Bachelor's degree: 0.7%
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.4%

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