Educational Attainment of Black Adults by State

Data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community survey shows that nationwide, 24.1 percent of the adult black population in the United States has obtained a two-year associate’s degree or a higher degree. For whites, 37.7 percent of all adults have at least a two-year college degree.

There are wide disparities in educational attainment rates by state. The Census figures show that in Arizona, California, Washington State, and Maryland, more than 30 percent of black adults hold at least a two-year college degree.

In contrast, in Louisiana, only 15.3 percent of black adults have earned a two-year college degree or a higher degree. Other states where less than 20 percent of the adult black population holds at least a two-year college degree are Arkansas, Indiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.

Copyright © 2008. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.