Least educated counties in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma.
#50. Carter County
- 20.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12% ($24,253 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.7% ($30,662)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($34,077)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.4% ($45,370)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.1% ($54,480)
#49. Muskogee County
- 20.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.7% ($24,896 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.4% ($30,106)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.4% ($31,019)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.4% ($43,925)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6% ($57,429)
#48. Johnston County
- 20.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14% ($21,625 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.9% ($25,427)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31% ($31,164)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.6% ($33,793)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.5% ($44,135)
#47. Ellis County
- 20.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.2% ($16,146 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.5% ($25,313)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.3% ($37,736)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.4% ($43,229)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($41,250)
#46. Major County
- 20% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.4% ($31,755 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($33,415)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($34,028)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.8% ($55,048)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($54,821)
#45. Grady County
- 19.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.9% ($27,194 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($33,867)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.9% ($40,444)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.9% ($49,541)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($54,000)
#44. Beaver County
- 19.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.2% ($31,188 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.9% ($31,809)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.9% ($32,174)
- Bachelor's degree: 17% ($39,808)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.9% ($42,188)
#43. Woodward County
- 19.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.3% ($32,745 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.9% ($27,885)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.5% ($34,577)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.1% ($54,545)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($41,644)
#42. Harper County
- 19.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.2% ($25,433 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.1% ($23,355)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.3% ($29,121)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.9% ($42,529)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($26,842)
#41. Kay County
- 18.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.1% ($23,242 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.4% ($28,972)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.5% ($30,726)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.8% ($37,900)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($50,788)
#40. Pottawatomie County
- 18.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.9% ($22,188 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.5% ($29,189)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.3% ($31,784)
- Bachelor's degree: 12% ($41,808)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($53,856)
#39. Delaware County
- 18.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.1% ($21,885 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.8% ($26,575)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31% ($28,292)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.3% ($38,888)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.8% ($53,500)
#38. Osage County
- 18% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.8% ($28,667 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.1% ($33,358)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.1% ($34,395)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.7% ($47,492)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($56,250)
#37. Murray County
- 17.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.8% ($30,705 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38% ($33,504)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.8% ($34,184)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.6% ($39,767)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($59,524)
#36. Coal County
- 17.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.4% ($29,583 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($29,271)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.7% ($28,000)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($42,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.9% ($46,406)
#35. Tillman County
- 17.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.5% ($20,779 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.4% ($24,367)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.8% ($35,172)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.1% ($44,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($63,333)
#34. Latimer County
- 17.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.3% ($22,448 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.8% ($31,875)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.9% ($23,672)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.8% ($40,242)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($42,891)
#33. Kiowa County
- 17.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.3% ($21,618 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.2% ($25,536)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.3% ($29,130)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.2% ($37,936)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($50,694)
#32. Creek County
- 17% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.7% ($27,815 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40% ($34,286)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($37,549)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.7% ($45,148)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($58,269)
#31. Stephens County
- 16.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.7% ($23,848 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.2% ($30,139)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.2% ($32,722)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.4% ($44,622)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($66,284)
#30. Beckham County
- 16.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($30,170 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.2% ($31,631)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.4% ($32,468)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($42,944)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.5% ($61,932)
#29. Pawnee County
- 16.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.2% ($22,401 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44.2% ($35,091)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($34,764)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.2% ($46,280)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($57,750)
#28. Blaine County
- 16.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.3% ($24,318 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.9% ($27,254)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.2% ($33,462)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.6% ($40,242)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($45,417)
#27. Roger Mills County
- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.6% ($40,625 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.4% ($32,344)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.9% ($31,582)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($32,026)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.7% ($64,583)
#26. Haskell County
- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.3% ($21,648 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37.4% ($26,488)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.2% ($31,776)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.8% ($42,614)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($63,516)
#25. Pittsburg County
- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13% ($24,079 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.2% ($30,712)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.6% ($32,381)
- Bachelor's degree: 11% ($45,352)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.1% ($59,315)
#24. Lincoln County
- 15.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.7% ($25,129 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.8% ($32,414)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.9% ($34,475)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($45,449)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($54,352)
#23. Caddo County
- 15.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($23,080 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.4% ($30,081)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.8% ($35,041)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.4% ($43,481)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($50,129)
#22. Atoka County
- 15% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($19,179 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($26,316)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28% ($33,942)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($39,722)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($46,190)
#21. Marshall County
- 14.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 21% ($30,253 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.6% ($29,497)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.6% ($29,260)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($41,141)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($44,647)
#20. Craig County
- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.3% ($24,453 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.5% ($26,369)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.6% ($27,145)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.3% ($43,214)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($43,750)
#19. Garvin County
- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.7% ($25,456 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 45% ($35,792)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.6% ($36,058)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.2% ($43,383)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($53,864)
#18. Jefferson County
- 14.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($22,607 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.4% ($27,104)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27% ($30,850)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.3% ($46,458)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($54,500)
#17. Le Flore County
- 14.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.4% ($22,485 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.1% ($26,413)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.8% ($30,176)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($40,947)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($53,004)
#16. Ottawa County
- 14.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.6% ($21,917 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.3% ($25,892)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.5% ($28,818)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.2% ($37,681)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.4% ($48,293)
#15. Sequoyah County
- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.7% ($19,738 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.6% ($28,259)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($28,449)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($40,315)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($51,159)
#14. Mayes County
- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.5% ($25,445 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.5% ($29,796)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.7% ($37,512)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.9% ($45,913)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($53,003)
#13. Seminole County
- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.8% ($21,659 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34% ($29,005)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36% ($30,745)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($37,431)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.6% ($51,791)
#12. Pushmataha County
- 14.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.8% ($21,053 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.5% ($26,577)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.4% ($27,016)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.7% ($36,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6% ($51,667)
#11. Okmulgee County
- 14.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.8% ($22,632 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36% ($26,791)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.2% ($33,375)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.6% ($39,849)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($46,979)
#10. McIntosh County
- 13.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.2% ($23,730 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.7% ($28,237)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.2% ($30,587)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($38,569)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($47,917)
#9. Cotton County
- 13.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.5% ($20,875 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.8% ($31,177)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29% ($31,828)
- Bachelor's degree: 9% ($46,563)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($64,338)
#8. Love County
- 13.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.7% ($26,477 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.6% ($32,228)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.3% ($32,068)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($37,574)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.4% ($44,792)
#7. McCurtain County
- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17% ($25,604 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43% ($27,119)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.5% ($31,085)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.5% ($41,745)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4% ($48,457)
#6. Choctaw County
- 13.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.9% ($22,587 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.3% ($29,931)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($31,065)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.3% ($45,729)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($44,813)
#5. Hughes County
- 12.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 17.8% ($22,708 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 40.3% ($24,517)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.9% ($30,081)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.2% ($41,373)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($44,519)
#4. Greer County
- 12.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.2% ($13,333 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.5% ($25,667)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.1% ($26,385)
- Bachelor's degree: 10% ($39,821)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.3% ($90,714)
#3. Adair County
- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 19.3% ($25,748 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 46.6% ($25,458)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.5% ($30,417)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.5% ($41,444)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.1% ($53,682)
#2. Okfuskee County
- 11.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.5% ($25,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.6% ($31,113)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.3% ($31,703)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.9% ($41,548)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.7% ($45,673)
#1. Nowata County
- 11.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.1% ($24,250 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 44% ($31,004)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.4% ($31,809)
- Bachelor's degree: 8.3% ($46,375)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3.2% ($48,750)