Idaho Lags Behind Nation In Percent Of People With A College Degree
Emilie Ritter Saunders / StateImpact
Less than a quarter of Idahoans 25 or older have a bachelor's degree or higher.
There are fewer people with college degrees in Idaho than in many of its neighboring states and the nation.
U.S. Census Bureau data from 2010 shows 24.4 percent of Idahoans aged 25 or older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The national average in 2010 was 28.2 percent.
A report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce predicts 61 percent of the jobs available in Idaho by 2018 will require an education beyond high school.
2010 Educational Attainment (population 25 years and older) | % High school graduate or higher | % Associates Degree | % Bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 88.3 | 8.3 | 24.4 |
| California | 80.7 | 7.6 | 30.1 |
| Montana | 92 | 7.9 | 30.9 |
| Nevada | 84.7 | 7.1 | 21.7 |
| Oregon | 88.8 | 7.8 | 28.8 |
| Utah | 90.6 | 9 | 29.3 |
| Washington | 89.8 | 9.4 | 31.1 |
| Wyoming | 92.3 | 10.7 | 24.1 |
| United States Average | 85.6 | 7.6 | 28.2 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
At StateImpact, we hear there is a gap between the education workers have and the job they’re aiming for. We want to hear from you. Are you an employer who can’t find the skills you’d like in an employee? Are you someone who needs more education to land the job you’d like? Weigh in below or email us at idaho@stateimpact.org.
