Ann Arbor, Michigan has once again clinched the title of America’s most educated city, topping WalletHub’s recent study. This Midwestern gem shines brightly with impressive educational achievements: over 95% of residents aged 25 and older hold high school diplomas, 57% have bachelor’s degrees, and approximately 30% have advanced degrees — the highest rates nationwide.
Adam McCann, a financial writer at WalletHub, highlighted Ann Arbor’s commitment to educational equality, noting a mere 1.9% gap between men and women with at least a bachelor’s degree. This underscores the city’s dedication to providing inclusive educational opportunities for all its residents.
The study assessed 150 of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S., evaluating factors such as educational attainment levels, the quality of education, and gaps in attainment based on race and gender. Following Ann Arbor, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, and the Washington, D.C. area emerged as the second and third most educated cities respectively.
Top 10 Most Educated Cities in the U.S., according to WalletHub:
1. Ann Arbor, MI
2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
4. Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
5. Madison, WI
6. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA
7. Raleigh-Cary, NC
8. Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX
9. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
10. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Conversely, WalletHub’s study also shed light on the least educated cities, primarily concentrated in California and Texas. Visalia, CA, and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX, ranked lowest in educational attainment, highlighting ongoing disparities across different regions of the country.
Stephanie Helms Pickett, head of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Antioch University and a WalletHub expert, stressed the importance of reevaluating educational systems to better support local economies.
Pickett advocates for collaborative efforts between higher education institutions and industries to align skills training with the evolving needs of the workforce.
As exemplified by Ann Arbor, cities leading in educational excellence play a pivotal role in shaping vibrant and resilient communities nationwide. This study underscores the transformative impact of inclusive and accessible education in fostering economic growth and societal well-being.