Least educated counties in Indiana
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 Indiana 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 Indiana.
#50. Gibson County
- 18% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.2% ($21,290 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.9% ($32,322)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33% ($41,017)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($48,360)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($60,921)
#49. DeKalb County
- 18% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($37,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.2% ($32,903)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($37,657)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.8% ($38,776)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($65,147)
#48. Ripley County
- 18% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.7% ($18,496 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.6% ($34,960)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($36,925)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($51,389)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.7% ($61,729)
#47. LaPorte County
- 18% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.5% ($22,214 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.6% ($31,857)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($35,558)
- Bachelor's degree: 12% ($47,885)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($62,985)
#46. Jefferson County
- 17.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.3% ($21,649 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.3% ($33,324)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.4% ($34,892)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.5% ($49,821)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.4% ($60,809)
#45. Grant County
- 17.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.7% ($20,204 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.5% ($30,565)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.9% ($31,605)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($42,177)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.6% ($54,354)
#44. Morgan County
- 17.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.9% ($25,360 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.3% ($39,240)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.5% ($39,321)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($55,879)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($72,213)
#43. Clay County
- 17% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.6% ($23,170 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.8% ($32,674)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($38,627)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.9% ($45,568)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($62,228)
#42. Knox County
- 16.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.3% ($24,844 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.8% ($30,329)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36% ($35,837)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($48,333)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.8% ($64,033)
#41. Putnam County
- 16.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.1% ($30,027 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.4% ($34,907)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.7% ($36,908)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($54,964)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.7% ($58,643)
#40. Carroll County
- 16.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.6% ($30,671 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($36,859)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31% ($38,302)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.2% ($49,715)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($53,500)
#39. Jackson County
- 16.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.7% ($19,906 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.9% ($33,532)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.7% ($32,066)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.1% ($53,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($60,920)
#38. Henry County
- 16.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.7% ($18,889 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.7% ($31,510)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.1% ($35,120)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($42,215)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($54,224)
#37. White County
- 16.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.2% ($27,917 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($32,933)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($34,527)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($49,096)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($53,537)
#36. Clinton County
- 16.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.4% ($26,819 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.2% ($31,208)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.1% ($36,114)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($44,167)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($51,287)
#35. Perry County
- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.7% ($26,367 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($30,107)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.5% ($38,814)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($44,615)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.2% ($63,173)
#34. Benton County
- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.2% ($25,156 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.8% ($31,609)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31% ($30,983)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.4% ($40,556)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($53,438)
#33. Lawrence County
- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.7% ($24,917 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.3% ($28,292)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.2% ($35,326)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($55,047)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($61,902)
#32. Fulton County
- 15.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.2% ($24,659 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.6% ($34,031)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.3% ($33,254)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($45,018)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($57,734)
#31. Adams County
- 15.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.3% ($27,072 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.6% ($33,367)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.7% ($36,319)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($47,315)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($57,721)
#30. Spencer County
- 15.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.5% ($25,850 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46% ($38,273)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($39,020)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($45,900)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($53,551)
#29. Fountain County
- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11% ($26,122 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.7% ($32,679)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.4% ($38,750)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.8% ($50,038)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($62,543)
#28. Greene County
- 14.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.1% ($20,156 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.1% ($30,511)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32% ($35,641)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($58,102)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($54,803)
#27. Ohio County
- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.4% ($31,705 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.1% ($41,439)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($32,250)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($57,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($47,188)
#26. Jasper County
- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.8% ($26,230 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.2% ($36,301)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($42,955)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($48,444)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($49,871)
#25. Randolph County
- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.5% ($26,934 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.4% ($30,764)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.7% ($31,894)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.5% ($46,356)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($54,344)
#24. Vermillion County
- 14.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9% ($27,692 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.4% ($31,877)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.4% ($35,882)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($40,655)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($55,658)
#23. Pike County
- 14.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.2% ($36,667 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.7% ($33,493)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.9% ($33,563)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($45,278)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($53,750)
#22. Rush County
- 13.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.6% ($22,105 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.4% ($36,621)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27% ($35,803)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($44,769)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($63,000)
#21. Martin County
- 13.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.9% ($36,618 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.7% ($32,304)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.7% ($37,145)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.1% ($46,174)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($62,287)
#20. Noble County
- 13.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.4% ($31,702 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42% ($33,675)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($38,090)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($47,440)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($51,875)
#19. Blackford County
- 13.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($30,313 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 49.6% ($28,344)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.4% ($33,068)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($34,453)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($53,125)
#18. Washington County
- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15% ($30,240 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.1% ($31,642)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($36,576)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($47,554)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($56,402)
#17. Cass County
- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.7% ($25,397 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.9% ($31,334)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.1% ($34,475)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($41,401)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($55,682)
#16. Fayette County
- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.9% ($26,984 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.1% ($30,971)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.8% ($40,104)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.1% ($46,148)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($48,807)
#15. Daviess County
- 13.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 26.2% ($36,744 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34% ($30,989)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.6% ($36,992)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.5% ($44,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($56,310)
#14. Owen County
- 13.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($24,774 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.4% ($32,748)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($34,189)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($42,099)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($68,466)
#13. Miami County
- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.9% ($21,582 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42% ($31,627)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($35,349)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($43,882)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($56,129)
#12. Pulaski County
- 12.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.5% ($30,598 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.1% ($36,285)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.7% ($33,433)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($39,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($58,375)
#11. Sullivan County
- 12.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.3% ($16,190 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.2% ($32,884)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.4% ($32,279)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($43,385)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($61,597)
#10. Jennings County
- 12% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.2% ($19,722 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.8% ($35,574)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($37,670)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($46,300)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.3% ($61,739)
#9. Parke County
- 12% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.8% ($29,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.5% ($31,219)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.7% ($35,765)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($43,661)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($60,521)
#8. Scott County
- 12% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($19,272 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.5% ($31,996)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.8% ($35,134)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($51,884)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($66,480)
#7. Newton County
- 11.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.3% ($36,875 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.8% ($38,406)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.1% ($37,136)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($39,596)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($42,083)
#6. Starke County
- 11.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.1% ($25,901 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.1% ($31,730)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.9% ($31,333)
- Bachelor's degree: 8% ($41,341)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($61,513)
#5. Jay County
- 11.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12% ($25,581 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 48.9% ($31,240)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($31,214)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.3% ($42,386)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($62,500)
#4. Switzerland County
- 10.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.1% ($26,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.4% ($31,179)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.6% ($35,556)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($52,837)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($47,772)
#3. Orange County
- 10.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($22,628 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.6% ($30,635)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.7% ($33,228)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.7% ($38,664)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($55,352)
#2. LaGrange County
- 10.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 38.2% ($47,121 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.5% ($35,201)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.8% ($36,500)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($43,868)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.6% ($52,266)
#1. Crawford County
- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.5% ($26,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.9% ($30,425)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($31,902)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.5% ($45,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($34,625)