{"id":5904,"date":"2026-06-29T20:31:39","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T20:31:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=5904"},"modified":"2026-06-29T20:31:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T20:31:39","slug":"new-ranking-reveals-americas-most-and-least-educated-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmovingjournal.com\/?p=5904","title":{"rendered":"New ranking reveals America\u2019s most and least educated cities"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n article<\/span><\/div>

Students enter the stadium for the Garden Grove High School graduation in Garden Grove on Tuesday, May 31, 2022.(Photo by Mindy Schauer\/MediaNews Group\/Orange County Register via Getty Images)<\/span> <\/p>

Read more 2026 Patriot Games: Dates revealed, applications opened for national high school competition<\/a><\/p> <\/div><\/div> <\/div>

America\u2019s most educated workers aren\u2019t spread evenly across the nation, they cluster in places that offer better job markets, higher wages and better lifestyle rewards for their degrees.\u00a0<\/p>

According to a WalletHub survey that analyzed the 150 largest metro areas across 11 education-focused areas.\u00a0<\/p>

Cities court degree holders because they fuel economic growth and contribute more in long-term tax revenue. Graduates, meanwhile, look for communities that match their ambitions, whether that’s a big metro area full of peers and networking or a smaller city where their credentials stand out.\u00a0<\/p>

<\/div>

“Higher education doesn\u2019t guarantee better financial opportunities in the future, but it certainly correlates with it,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The most educated cities provide good learning opportunities from childhood all the way through the graduate level. In addition to overall education, it\u2019s also important to look at how well cities promote educational equality when it comes to race and gender.”<\/p>

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>These states lead the nation in racial equality in education, study finds<\/u><\/strong><\/p>

Top three cities<\/h2>

Ann Arbor, MI<\/strong>Ann Arbor, MI and the surrounding area is the most educated area in the country, according to WalletHub. Of the adults 25 years old and older, 96% have at least a high school diploma, nearly 59% have a bachelor\u2019s degree and nearly 32% have an advanced degree.\u00a0<\/p>

The area also scored the best public school system and the ninth best in the quality of universities.\u00a0<\/p>

Read more WATCH: Butterflies swarm Texas coast during mass migration<\/a><\/p>

Durham, NC<\/strong>The Durham, NC area is ranked second in the nation. Adults there have a higher rate of residents pursuing higher education. Over 53% of the adults have at least a bachelor\u2019s degree and 26% have a graduate or professional degree.\u00a0<\/p>

San Jose, CA<\/strong>The third-most educated in the country is San Jose, CA metro area. They have over 55% of their population of adults with at least a bachelor\u2019s degree and 28% of them with an advanced degree.\u00a0<\/p>

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>These cities rank as the best places to start a career in 2026, according to data<\/u><\/strong><\/p>