Least educated counties in Massachusetts
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 than those with only a high school degree.
To help understand areas with the lowest educational attainment, compiled a list of the least educated counties in Massachusetts using data from the . 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 Massachusetts.
#14. Middlesex County
- 56.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.6% ($26,907 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 19% ($38,743)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 18.1% ($44,769)
- Bachelor's degree: 27.5% ($69,313)
- Graduate or professional degree: 28.8% ($90,051)
#13. Norfolk County
- 53.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.1% ($26,312 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 19.2% ($39,242)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.1% ($46,801)
- Bachelor's degree: 28.6% ($70,797)
- Graduate or professional degree: 25% ($91,103)
#12. Nantucket County
- 52.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 4.3% ($31,015 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 19.8% ($45,989)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.9% ($51,463)
- Bachelor's degree: 31.3% ($52,722)
- Graduate or professional degree: 21.5% ($53,438)
#11. Hampshire County
- 48.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.3% ($30,203 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 22.6% ($38,363)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.8% ($39,561)
- Bachelor's degree: 23.9% ($49,757)
- Graduate or professional degree: 24.5% ($66,183)
#10. Suffolk County
- 46.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.6% ($25,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 22.1% ($31,399)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 18.1% ($38,379)
- Bachelor's degree: 25.3% ($63,248)
- Graduate or professional degree: 20.7% ($77,168)
#9. Dukes County
- 44.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.2% ($30,794 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 23.6% ($33,942)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.3% ($40,044)
- Bachelor's degree: 26.4% ($53,099)
- Graduate or professional degree: 18.5% ($61,285)
#8. Barnstable County
- 43.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 4.5% ($30,914 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 23.7% ($35,247)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($38,393)
- Bachelor's degree: 24.9% ($51,302)
- Graduate or professional degree: 18.6% ($64,624)
#7. Essex County
- 39.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.7% ($26,541 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.1% ($35,728)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.4% ($42,284)
- Bachelor's degree: 23.7% ($64,688)
- Graduate or professional degree: 16.2% ($82,324)
#6. Plymouth County
- 37.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.1% ($30,804 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 27.8% ($40,669)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.5% ($45,323)
- Bachelor's degree: 23.7% ($66,874)
- Graduate or professional degree: 13.9% ($85,677)
#5. Franklin County
- 37.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.7% ($24,083 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28.5% ($33,525)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.6% ($38,098)
- Bachelor's degree: 20.4% ($43,955)
- Graduate or professional degree: 16.9% ($56,211)
#4. Worcester County
- 36.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.3% ($27,292 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 27.8% ($38,374)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.6% ($43,092)
- Bachelor's degree: 22% ($61,904)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.4% ($80,708)
#3. Berkshire County
- 33.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.6% ($22,591 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.4% ($33,259)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.4% ($36,410)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.7% ($46,304)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.9% ($60,634)
#2. Bristol County
- 28.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.3% ($31,955 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.9% ($38,519)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.1% ($43,594)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.3% ($60,730)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.4% ($79,335)
#1. Hampden County
- 27.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.2% ($23,778 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.7% ($34,312)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($38,837)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.5% ($53,928)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.6% ($67,271)
