Least educated counties in Missouri

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May 14, 2022
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Least educated counties in Missouri

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 Missouri 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 Missouri.

#50. Bates County

- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.6% ($18,438 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.2% ($33,338)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.1% ($31,141)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.7% ($43,278)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($42,209)

#49. Lawrence County

- 16% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.3% ($25,221 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.7% ($26,581)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($30,825)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.9% ($39,748)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($57,730)

#48. Henry County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 12.2% ($21,318 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.7% ($28,299)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.3% ($33,182)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.6% ($39,672)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($46,186)

#47. Maries County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 13.5% ($29,891 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40% ($30,670)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.6% ($34,333)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($42,031)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($46,023)

#46. Madison County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 15.6% ($25,536 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.5% ($30,412)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.4% ($29,346)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($39,205)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($38,462)

#45. Pike County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 15.8% ($21,214 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.6% ($27,612)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21% ($32,050)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($38,305)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($44,524)

#44. Carter County

- 15.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.2% ($22,177 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.2% ($26,952)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.2% ($27,695)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($56,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($50,739)

#43. Dent County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($21,193 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.4% ($29,633)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.5% ($32,461)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($32,314)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($41,875)

#42. Randolph County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 13.1% ($26,314 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.3% ($29,861)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.5% ($32,356)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($38,820)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($45,878)

#41. Ralls County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 10.3% ($19,327 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 49% ($32,009)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.8% ($34,449)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.8% ($39,118)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($56,944)

#40. Shannon County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 20% ($22,163 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.9% ($16,896)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20.2% ($27,420)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($31,284)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($41,250)

#39. Audrain County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 13.8% ($19,545 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.8% ($25,892)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.7% ($31,235)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($38,514)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($47,019)

#38. Ray County

- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 11.9% ($32,188 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.1% ($35,871)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($36,311)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($47,339)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($54,575)

#37. Laclede County

- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.9% ($21,143 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($30,487)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.7% ($34,678)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($43,944)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($50,353)

#36. Barry County

- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.4% ($24,758 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($30,295)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($31,436)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($45,901)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($47,163)

#35. Oregon County

- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.9% ($13,583 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43% ($23,462)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.5% ($26,915)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($35,729)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($45,750)

#34. St. Francois County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 15.3% ($19,757 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.2% ($26,629)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.3% ($31,071)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($43,070)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($56,199)

#33. Scotland County

- 14.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.1% ($31,538 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.5% ($33,000)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($31,678)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($44,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.3% ($46,833)

#32. Montgomery County

- 14% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 14.7% ($29,130 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.7% ($36,625)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.5% ($32,190)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($44,706)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($42,125)

#31. St. Clair County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 15.5% ($17,813 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.1% ($24,533)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.5% ($30,028)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($32,399)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($37,566)

#30. DeKalb County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 12.7% ($30,945 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.1% ($34,688)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.4% ($30,666)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($42,975)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($50,987)

#29. Dunklin County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 23.8% ($19,630 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.2% ($25,949)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.3% ($30,766)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.9% ($39,650)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($45,068)

#28. Reynolds County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 20.1% ($20,604 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.4% ($28,043)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.7% ($30,424)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($34,516)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($44,091)

#27. Lewis County

- 13.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 11.5% ($15,375 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.9% ($34,653)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29% ($35,493)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.4% ($45,571)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($49,464)

#26. Cedar County

- 13.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.3% ($18,359 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.2% ($27,367)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.9% ($25,656)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.6% ($31,812)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($37,610)

#25. Texas County

- 13.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.3% ($17,148 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($27,292)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.5% ($28,633)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($31,046)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.8% ($48,571)

#24. Butler County

- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17% ($20,772 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.3% ($23,177)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.4% ($26,612)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.4% ($44,990)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($62,829)

#23. Stoddard County

- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 19.1% ($26,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.5% ($30,508)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.1% ($27,875)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($43,234)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($47,651)

#22. Morgan County

- 13.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21.9% ($26,397 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.1% ($26,306)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.7% ($27,197)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($40,074)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($34,375)

#21. Benton County

- 13% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.5% ($22,541 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($25,259)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.2% ($27,431)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.8% ($29,868)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($46,667)

#20. Dallas County

- 12.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 16.6% ($27,388 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.5% ($27,033)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26% ($33,873)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($41,284)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($38,926)

#19. Clark County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 13.7% ($21,838 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.5% ($31,924)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($25,990)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.7% ($44,926)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($50,284)

#18. Dade County

- 12.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 12.8% ($19,375 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.8% ($23,665)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.8% ($29,861)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($32,383)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($38,304)

#17. Pemiscot County

- 12.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 22.2% ($19,784 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.3% ($26,550)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 21.8% ($30,263)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.1% ($46,548)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($42,862)

#16. Schuyler County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 12.4% ($13,221 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.2% ($27,321)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.7% ($30,581)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($40,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($49,750)

#15. Monroe County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 10.7% ($31,364 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 48.4% ($32,059)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.4% ($25,931)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.8% ($39,148)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($41,875)

#14. New Madrid County

- 12.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 21.2% ($25,069 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.7% ($29,862)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 20% ($31,893)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.4% ($43,073)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($49,653)

#13. Sullivan County

- 11.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.7% ($37,063 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 50.2% ($28,125)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.4% ($31,776)
- Bachelor's degree: 7% ($40,781)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($47,976)

#12. Crawford County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 22.1% ($18,929 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.1% ($28,972)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($34,173)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($39,554)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($50,139)

#11. McDonald County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 22.5% ($25,833 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.3% ($31,319)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.7% ($31,800)
- Bachelor's degree: 8% ($36,444)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($52,813)

#10. Mississippi County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 24.3% ($12,459 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.8% ($26,531)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.3% ($29,236)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.3% ($43,341)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($46,415)

#9. Ozark County

- 11% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.7% ($16,607 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.4% ($21,365)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($28,356)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.5% ($28,529)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($34,583)

#8. Douglas County

- 10.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 17.9% ($27,130 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44% ($26,999)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($30,358)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.4% ($39,792)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.5% ($48,438)

#7. Iron County

- 10.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 18.5% ($12,917 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.4% ($24,494)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.3% ($29,856)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.6% ($39,625)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($47,500)

#6. Wright County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 19.6% ($22,007 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45.5% ($23,571)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.7% ($24,989)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.8% ($29,688)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($49,492)

#5. Ripley County

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

- Less than high school diploma: 20% ($16,300 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.3% ($21,283)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.5% ($21,605)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.2% ($37,981)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.9% ($52,277)

#4. Washington County

- 9.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 23.1% ($18,657 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.4% ($31,291)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.7% ($27,557)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.3% ($36,708)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($51,000)

#3. Wayne County

- 9.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 23.8% ($16,922 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39% ($24,577)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($33,326)
- Bachelor's degree: 6% ($37,298)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.6% ($45,588)

#2. Hickory County

- 9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 15.7% ($16,563 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.5% ($23,309)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($23,120)
- Bachelor's degree: 5.9%
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($35,625)

#1. Bollinger County

- 8.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher

- Less than high school diploma: 20.2% ($15,938 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 47.3% ($31,755)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.6% ($28,694)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.1% ($39,091)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.8% ($43,661)

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