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The most educated city in every state

Published  January 29, 2016 1:02pm PST
FOX13 News | Seattle & Western Washington | Formerly Q13 News



When deciding to pursue higher education, people take into account a variety of things, from tuition to majors offered to the school’s larger community. And post graduation, that diploma not only does a lot for your career choices, it does a lot for wherever you opt to settle down. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that adults with higher levels of education tend to be more engaged in civic activities and feel greater life satisfaction.

In a 2013 report published by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the analysts found a strong correlation between the educational levels of a state’s workforce and the median wages in that state, and suggested investing in education instead of lowering taxes or cutting costs to businesses to boost economic prosperity.

Though this may seem costly to the state initially, the EPI argues that creating a more educated workforce is a reliable investment. Those who have higher levels of education typically become high-earning citizens who contribute more in taxes over the course of their lifetimes.

FindTheHome wanted to pinpoint the most educated city in every state. We used 2014 estimates from the American Community Survey to find cities with the highest percentage of people holding bachelor’s degree or higher. Cities with a population above 8,000 people were evaluated. Each city’s average per-capita income is also included for context.

Note: Education statistics from the American Community Survey reflect percentages of the population ages 25 and older.

#50. North Dakota: Fargo


 



Population: 110,725
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 38.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 25.8%
-Graduate Degree: 12.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $29,986

#49. Nebraska: Papillion


 

[findthebest id='lhrhaWJNXG5' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Nebraska' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/lhrhaWJNXG5' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/24/Nebraska' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Nebraska | FindTheHome']

Population: 21,100
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 39.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 25.9%
-Graduate Degree: 13.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $33,658

#48. Alaska: College


 



Population: 14,568
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 39.3%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 20.3%
-Graduate Degree: 18.9%
Average Per Capita Income: $33,217

#47. South Dakota: Brookings


 

[findthebest id='fMLHMrsLoi1' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in South Dakota' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/fMLHMrsLoi1' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/32/South-Dakota' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in South Dakota | FindTheHome']

Population: 22,645
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 48.5%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 29.8%
-Graduate Degree: 18.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $21,786

#46. Arkansas: Maumelle


 



Population: 17,565
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 49.5%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 32.6%
-Graduate Degree: 16.9%
Average Per Capita Income: $36,948

#45. Rhode Island: Newport


 

[findthebest id='h9W684hwx8x' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Rhode Island' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/h9W684hwx8x' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/6/Rhode-Island' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Rhode Island | FindTheHome']

Population: 24,599
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 49.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 28.7%
-Graduate Degree: 21%
Average Per Capita Income: $40,773

#44. Wyoming: Laramie


 



Population: 31,601
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 51.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 28.6%
-Graduate Degree: 22.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $22,097

#43. Nevada: Incline Village


 

[findthebest id='bFgwJz0tXKt' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Nevada' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/bFgwJz0tXKt' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/23/Nevada' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Nevada | FindTheHome']

Population: 8,389
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 51.5%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 32.4%
-Graduate Degree: 19.1%
Average Per Capita Income: $47,664

#42. Oklahoma: Edmond


 



Population: 85,084
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 51.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 31.6%
-Graduate Degree: 20.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $38,298

#41. Kentucky: Francisville


 

[findthebest id='jUgSPjV2OPz' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Kentucky' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/jUgSPjV2OPz' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/39/Kentucky' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Kentucky | FindTheHome']

Population: 9,217
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 52.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 33.4%
-Graduate Degree: 19%
Average Per Capita Income: $38,526

#40. West Virginia: Cheat Lake


 



Population: 9,220
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 52.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 23%
-Graduate Degree: 29.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $42,160

#39. Vermont: South Burlington


 

[findthebest id='epBjqOE0frv' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Vermont' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/epBjqOE0frv' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/12/Vermont' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Vermont | FindTheHome']

Population: 18,378
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 53.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 31.2%
-Graduate Degree: 22.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $38,534

#38. Hawaii: East Honolulu


 



Population: 48,926
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 54.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 30.5%
-Graduate Degree: 23.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $48,119

#37. Montana: Bozeman


 

[findthebest id='jdGGEvvFfpj' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Montana' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/jdGGEvvFfpj' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/25/Montana' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Montana | FindTheHome']

Population: 39,123
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 54.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 35.6%
-Graduate Degree: 18.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $26,350

#36. Idaho: Moscow


 



Population: 24,406
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 55.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 30.4%
-Graduate Degree: 24.9%
Average Per Capita Income: $20,151

#35. Utah: Highland


 

[findthebest id='dJ17g0eCG1f' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Utah' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/dJ17g0eCG1f' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/10/Utah' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Utah | FindTheHome']

Population: 16,491
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 57.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 37.1%
-Graduate Degree: 20.5%
Average Per Capita Income: $31,840

#34. Maine: Orono


 



Population: 9,514
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 62.1%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 29%
-Graduate Degree: 33.1%
Average Per Capita Income: $18,910

#33. Iowa: Ames


 

[findthebest id='lY1tlL9bx6l' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Iowa' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/lY1tlL9bx6l' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/37/Iowa' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Iowa | FindTheHome']

Population: 61,276
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 62.8%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 33.4%
-Graduate Degree: 29.4%
Average Per Capita Income: $24,082

#32. Louisiana: Oak Hills Place


 



Population: 8,568
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 63.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 40.3%
-Graduate Degree: 23.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $42,867

#31. Mississippi: Madison


 

[findthebest id='gtlTXfS8XIh' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Mississippi' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/gtlTXfS8XIh' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/28/Mississippi' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Mississippi | FindTheHome']

Population: 24,871
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 64.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 36.8%
-Graduate Degree: 27.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $45,604

#30. Delaware: Hockessin


 



Population: 13,620
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 65.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 37.1%
-Graduate Degree: 28.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $55,749

#29. South Carolina: Clemson


 

[findthebest id='hQwiiSGU6yN' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher in South Carolina' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/hQwiiSGU6yN' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/50/South-Carolina' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher in South Carolina | FindTheHome']

Population: 14,254
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 65.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 26.8%
-Graduate Degree: 38.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $22,689

#28. New Mexico: Los Alamos


 



Population: 11,843
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 66.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 24.6%
-Graduate Degree: 41.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $52,891

#27. Minnesota: Edina


 

[findthebest id='clQIUnpRxaJ' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Minnesota' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/clQIUnpRxaJ' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/29/Minnesota' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Minnesota | FindTheHome']

Population: 48,940
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 67.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 39.5%
-Graduate Degree: 28.4%
Average Per Capita Income: $61,438

#26. Tennessee: Brentwood


 



Population: 39,059
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 67.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 42.6%
-Graduate Degree: 25.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $58,745

#25. Oregon: Bethany


 

[findthebest id='kAR508kqofP' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Oregon' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/kAR508kqofP' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/3/Oregon' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Oregon | FindTheHome']

Population: 21,658
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 68.9%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 36.1%
-Graduate Degree: 32.9%
Average Per Capita Income: $43,479

#24. Pennsylvania: Upper St. Clair


 



Population: 19,303
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 69.3%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 36.5%
-Graduate Degree: 32.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $48,691

#23. Arizona: Paradise Valley


 

[findthebest id='f6bvBD3nORL' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Arizona' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/f6bvBD3nORL' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/16/Arizona' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Arizona | FindTheHome']

Population: 13,243
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 70.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 33.4%
-Graduate Degree: 37.1%
Average Per Capita Income: $94,026

#22. Indiana: Purdue University


 



Population: 10,954
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 72.8%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 25.6%
-Graduate Degree: 47.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $4,688

#21. Florida: Key Biscayne


 

[findthebest id='ibOoohTATgV' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Florida' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/ibOoohTATgV' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/9/Florida' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Florida | FindTheHome']

Population: 12,774
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 73.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 38.6%
-Graduate Degree: 34.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $76,709

#20. North Carolina: Chapel Hill


 



Population: 58,379
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 74%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 29.4%
-Graduate Degree: 44.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $36,928

#19. Kansas: Leawood


 

[findthebest id='cH8OZMCyjSR' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Kansas' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/cH8OZMCyjSR' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/36/Kansas' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Kansas | FindTheHome']

Population: 32,842
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 74.3%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 41.7%
-Graduate Degree: 32.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $76,304

#18. Washington: Mercer Island


 



Population: 23,636
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 75.6%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 40.4%
-Graduate Degree: 35.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $75,396

#17. Wisconsin: Whitefish Bay


 

[findthebest id='kW9b5xx7aXX' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Wisconsin' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/kW9b5xx7aXX' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/19/Wisconsin' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Wisconsin | FindTheHome']

Population: 14,132
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 75.8%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 42.2%
-Graduate Degree: 33.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $52,316

#16. Ohio: New Albany


 



Population: 8,169
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 76.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 38.6%
-Graduate Degree: 37.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $78,875

#15. Michigan: Birmingham


 

[findthebest id='frtBH2g4BzT' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Michigan' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/frtBH2g4BzT' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/30/Michigan' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Michigan | FindTheHome']

Population: 20,382
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 77.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 40%
-Graduate Degree: 37.5%
Average Per Capita Income: $69,172

#14. Colorado: Superior


 



Population: 12,716
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 78%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 39.4%
-Graduate Degree: 38.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $50,184

#13. Connecticut: Darien


 

[findthebest id='gOE02F4PKqp' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Connecticut' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/gOE02F4PKqp' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/11/Connecticut' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Connecticut | FindTheHome']

Population: 21,190
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 79.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 42.9%
-Graduate Degree: 36.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $95,607

#12. Virginia: McLean


 



Population: 48,078
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 81.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 31.1%
-Graduate Degree: 50.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $94,014

#11. Georgia: Druid Hills


 

[findthebest id='bjYqE9NNb2l' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Georgia' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/bjYqE9NNb2l' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/7/Georgia' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Georgia | FindTheHome']

Population: 14,439
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 81.8%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 37.4%
-Graduate Degree: 44.4%
Average Per Capita Income: $49,063

#10. Maryland: Bethesda


 



Population: 62,024
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 82.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 27.8%
-Graduate Degree: 54.4%
Average Per Capita Income: $86,014

#9. Massachusetts: Wellesley


 

[findthebest id='jyYMJUIm27r' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Massachusetts' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/jyYMJUIm27r' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/42/Massachusetts' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Massachusetts | FindTheHome']

Population: 28,858
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 82.2%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 33.6%
-Graduate Degree: 48.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $71,733

#8. New Hampshire: Durham


 



Population: 10,288
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 82.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 35.5%
-Graduate Degree: 47.2%
Average Per Capita Income: $13,580

#7. Missouri: Ladue


 

[findthebest id='e4jdlprjsJn' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Missouri' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/e4jdlprjsJn' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/26/Missouri' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Missouri | FindTheHome']

Population: 8,549
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 83%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 39%
-Graduate Degree: 44.1%
Average Per Capita Income: $96,185

#6. Alabama: Mountain Brook


 



Population: 20,484
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 85.1%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 44.8%
-Graduate Degree: 40.3%
Average Per Capita Income: $69,716

#5. New York: Scarsdale


 

[findthebest id='iSoAz6iYsHb' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in New York' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/iSoAz6iYsHb' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/48/New-York' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in New York | FindTheHome']

Population: 17,471
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 86.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 29.5%
-Graduate Degree: 57.2%
Average Per Capita Income: $113,535

#4. Illinois: Winnetka


 



Population: 12,366
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 87.4%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 38.6%
-Graduate Degree: 48.8%
Average Per Capita Income: $98,139

#3. Texas: West University Place


 

[findthebest id='dnJ1aB1VTj7' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Texas' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/dnJ1aB1VTj7' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/8/Texas' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in Texas | FindTheHome']

Population: 15,223
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 88%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 37.8%
-Graduate Degree: 50.2%
Average Per Capita Income: $106,583

#2. New Jersey: Short Hills


 



Population: 12,729
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 88.7%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 36.1%
-Graduate Degree: 52.6%
Average Per Capita Income: $102,528

#1. California: Stanford


 

[findthebest id='lCJnglWuKod' title='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in California' width='600' height='550' url='https://w.graphiq.com/w/lCJnglWuKod' link='http://places.findthehome.com/l/2/California' link_text='Percent of Population with a Bachelors Degree or Higher in California | FindTheHome']

Population: 13,506
Has a Bachelor's Degree or Higher: 94.1%
Highest Degree Attained:
-Bachelor's Degree: 30.3%
-Graduate Degree: 63.7%
Average Per Capita Income: $30,200