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 Florida 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 Florida.
Roman Eugeniusz // Wikimedia Commons
1 / 50- 29.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.3% ($25,556 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.1% ($27,707)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($34,920)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.2% ($49,066)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.6% ($58,231)
Captain-tucker // Wikimedia Commons
2 / 50- 29.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.6% ($21,459 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 27.3% ($25,552)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.4% ($32,096)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.9% ($43,717)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.9% ($62,477)
Canva
3 / 50- 29.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($27,102 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.7% ($32,470)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($40,264)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.2% ($47,580)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.3% ($58,269)
Canva
4 / 50- 29.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($24,714 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.4% ($27,417)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($30,969)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.8% ($42,144)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.3% ($64,588)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
5 / 50- 28.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.8% ($25,288 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28.5% ($26,468)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.2% ($32,482)
- Bachelor's degree: 19.1% ($47,145)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.4% ($72,294)
Nadezda Murmakova // Shutterstock
6 / 50- 28.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.6% ($24,129 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31% ($29,819)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($33,120)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.6% ($45,019)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.6% ($55,659)
Canva
7 / 50- 27.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($18,707 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26.8% ($29,712)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.8% ($38,578)
- Bachelor's degree: 18% ($50,453)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.7% ($69,240)
Canva
8 / 50- 26.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.6% ($20,456 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 27.2% ($27,430)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.7% ($32,455)
- Bachelor's degree: 17% ($45,159)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.5% ($57,687)
Georgia Guercio // Wikimedia Commons
9 / 50- 25.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.8% ($21,152 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.3% ($27,319)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.8% ($32,267)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.8% ($40,722)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.3% ($44,265)
Excel23 // Wikimedia Commons
10 / 50- 24.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.2% ($22,344 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31% ($32,840)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.8% ($36,877)
- Bachelor's degree: 17% ($49,361)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8% ($63,184)
Canva
11 / 50- 24% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.5% ($23,252 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.1% ($29,384)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.4% ($32,442)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.4% ($41,908)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.6% ($52,644)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
12 / 50- 24% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.5% ($22,562 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.2% ($29,590)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.2% ($38,075)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.9% ($51,858)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.2% ($64,367)
j.s. clark // Wikimedia Commons
13 / 50- 23.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.3% ($21,187 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31% ($29,069)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.9% ($32,594)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.2% ($45,448)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.6% ($65,317)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
14 / 50- 23.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.5% ($24,635 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.8% ($29,312)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35% ($31,814)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.6% ($42,382)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.1% ($54,193)
Canva
15 / 50- 23.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.4% ($20,609 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.6% ($26,709)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.7% ($28,769)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.7% ($42,428)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.7% ($52,043)
User:Tim Ross // Wikimedia Commons
16 / 50- 22.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.1% ($18,421 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.7% ($30,161)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25% ($36,572)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.7% ($50,585)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.6% ($54,938)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
17 / 50- 21.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.3% ($22,187 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.3% ($25,569)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.6% ($29,584)
- Bachelor's degree: 15% ($37,977)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.8% ($50,388)
Georgia Guercio // Wikimedia Commons
18 / 50- 21.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.7% ($21,505 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.2% ($28,606)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.5% ($35,163)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.9% ($42,334)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.7% ($50,919)
Canva
19 / 50- 20.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15% ($23,088 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.7% ($28,646)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.1% ($32,530)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.2% ($45,272)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7% ($53,340)
Canva
20 / 50- 20.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.4% ($23,579 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.9% ($27,596)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.6% ($28,337)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.1% ($40,287)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.1% ($57,323)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
21 / 50- 19.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($11,875 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.8% ($28,718)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.4% ($27,527)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($39,012)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($51,458)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
22 / 50- 18.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.3% ($23,372 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.6% ($27,778)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($28,141)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.6% ($44,900)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.1% ($39,063)
Daniel Wilton // Wikimedia Commons
23 / 50- 18.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.1% ($21,606 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.2% ($30,083)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.2% ($31,847)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.2% ($42,701)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($55,299)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
24 / 50- 18.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.7% ($22,555 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.2% ($25,837)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.8% ($29,827)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($43,790)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.9% ($48,729)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
25 / 50- 18.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.3% ($26,742 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.2% ($31,621)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.2% ($38,915)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.3% ($50,431)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($53,587)
Fl295 // Wikimedia Commons
26 / 50- 17.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.3% ($19,128 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.8% ($22,385)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($29,053)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($41,801)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($55,817)
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
27 / 50- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.1% ($24,971 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.2% ($29,066)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.4% ($30,594)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.5% ($41,162)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($44,653)
Canva
28 / 50- 15.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.6% ($22,234 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.9% ($27,178)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($33,984)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($41,570)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($43,792)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
29 / 50- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.8% ($23,573 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.7% ($29,294)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.6% ($31,401)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($47,665)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($57,478)
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
30 / 50- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.6% ($13,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.8% ($31,122)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.2% ($36,140)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($47,963)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($54,338)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
31 / 50- 14% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19% ($20,375 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.7% ($25,417)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($31,040)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.1% ($38,429)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($50,033)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
32 / 50- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($21,291 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.1% ($27,046)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($31,497)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($41,713)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($44,271)
Organizedchaos02 // Wikimedia Commons
33 / 50- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.3% ($28,651 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.6% ($35,186)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($34,220)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($42,741)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($60,179)
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
34 / 50- 12.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.5% ($21,104 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.4% ($27,010)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.4% ($30,727)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($43,844)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($51,174)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
35 / 50- 12.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.7% ($20,371 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.1% ($27,074)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.6% ($29,242)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($42,105)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($52,240)
Excel23 // Wikimedia Commons
36 / 50- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.2% ($23,708 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.2% ($26,500)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($29,171)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.8% ($36,220)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($48,447)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
37 / 50- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.1% ($21,753 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.1% ($26,010)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.6% ($25,586)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($41,135)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($47,069)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
38 / 50- 11.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 24.7% ($43,523 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.9% ($32,096)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.7% ($34,896)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.2% ($31,413)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($39,844)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
39 / 50- 11.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 26.5% ($19,589 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.8% ($25,230)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 18.2% ($29,600)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($37,054)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($45,625)
Bastique // Wikimedia Commons
40 / 50- 11.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.8% ($25,512 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.5% ($26,529)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.3% ($33,986)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($45,440)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($50,357)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
41 / 50- 11.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 25.5% ($24,619 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.2% ($30,762)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.1% ($32,252)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6%
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($40,645)
Georgia Guercio // Wikimedia Commons
42 / 50- 10.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.4% ($25,982 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.7% ($26,000)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($27,952)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($47,917)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($46,645)
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
43 / 50- 10.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.6% ($15,469 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.3% ($32,298)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.8% ($30,972)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.6% ($52,155)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7%
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
44 / 50- 10.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.9% ($20,883 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 49.1% ($28,196)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 17.8% ($28,861)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($39,813)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($65,339)
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
45 / 50- 9.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.4% ($21,477 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($27,669)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.3% ($36,226)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.3% ($31,313)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($73,488)
Michael Rivera // Wikimedia Commons
46 / 50- 9.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.1% ($27,344 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($27,384)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.8% ($29,375)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($42,717)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.5% ($72,100)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
47 / 50- 9.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.5% ($17,059 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.4% ($23,369)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($34,836)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.2% ($37,127)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($45,000)
Canva
48 / 50- 8.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21.2% ($20,909 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.8% ($26,636)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.6% ($35,074)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.6% ($32,721)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.7% ($45,170)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
49 / 50- 8.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 33.7% ($20,939 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.7% ($28,617)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.3% ($26,164)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.3% ($40,276)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($46,900)
Ebyabe // Wikimedia Commons
50 / 50- 7.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 27% ($16,607 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.4% ($26,120)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 19.8% ($24,663)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.2% ($37,348)
- Graduate or professional degree: 1.7% ($70,781)
