Least educated counties in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island.
#5. Bristol County
- 49% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9% ($29,313 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 19.4% ($32,717)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 22.5% ($43,976)
- Bachelor's degree: 25.4% ($58,956)
- Graduate or professional degree: 23.6% ($90,114)
#4. Newport County
- 48.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6% ($32,356 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 22.1% ($36,410)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.8% ($38,309)
- Bachelor's degree: 28.5% ($57,217)
- Graduate or professional degree: 19.5% ($85,154)
#3. Washington County
- 46.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.1% ($26,892 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 22.8% ($40,648)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.9% ($39,355)
- Bachelor's degree: 26.1% ($60,539)
- Graduate or professional degree: 20% ($81,244)
#2. Kent County
- 33.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.8% ($31,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28% ($37,297)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.9% ($45,487)
- Bachelor's degree: 20.9% ($59,126)
- Graduate or professional degree: 12.3% ($76,158)
#1. Providence County
- 29% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.2% ($27,087 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31% ($35,260)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.8% ($39,859)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.5% ($54,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.5% ($72,764)
