Least educated counties in Maryland
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April 1, 2021
jerryinocmd // Wikimedia Commons
Least educated counties in Maryland
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 typically earn 65% more than those with only a high school degree.
To help understand areas with the lowest educational attainment, Stacker compiled a list of the least educated counties in Maryland using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. 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 Maryland.
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Zrmachuga // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Howard County
- 62.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 4.5% ($31,345 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 13.5% ($39,774)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 19.5% ($48,374)
- Bachelor's degree: 31.1% ($74,244)
- Graduate or professional degree: 31.5% ($102,597)
- Less than high school diploma: 4.5% ($31,345 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 13.5% ($39,774)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 19.5% ($48,374)
- Bachelor's degree: 31.1% ($74,244)
- Graduate or professional degree: 31.5% ($102,597)
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TownCreative // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Montgomery County
- 58.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9% ($26,311 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 13.4% ($31,933)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 18.8% ($41,677)
- Bachelor's degree: 27% ($67,715)
- Graduate or professional degree: 31.8% ($102,639)
- Less than high school diploma: 9% ($26,311 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 13.4% ($31,933)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 18.8% ($41,677)
- Bachelor's degree: 27% ($67,715)
- Graduate or professional degree: 31.8% ($102,639)
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Charlie Stinchcomb // Flickr
#22. Anne Arundel County
- 41.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.6% ($31,116 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 23.7% ($41,168)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27% ($50,618)
- Bachelor's degree: 24% ($71,194)
- Graduate or professional degree: 17.7% ($90,835)
- Less than high school diploma: 7.6% ($31,116 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 23.7% ($41,168)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27% ($50,618)
- Bachelor's degree: 24% ($71,194)
- Graduate or professional degree: 17.7% ($90,835)
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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Frederick County
- 41.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.5% ($30,801 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 24.1% ($40,062)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27% ($48,694)
- Bachelor's degree: 23.2% ($70,999)
- Graduate or professional degree: 18.2% ($89,319)
- Less than high school diploma: 7.5% ($30,801 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 24.1% ($40,062)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27% ($48,694)
- Bachelor's degree: 23.2% ($70,999)
- Graduate or professional degree: 18.2% ($89,319)
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Shopkins91 // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Talbot County
- 40.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($30,182 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 24.5% ($30,323)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.2% ($39,502)
- Bachelor's degree: 21% ($53,657)
- Graduate or professional degree: 19.5% ($76,519)
- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($30,182 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 24.5% ($30,323)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.2% ($39,502)
- Bachelor's degree: 21% ($53,657)
- Graduate or professional degree: 19.5% ($76,519)
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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Baltimore County
- 39.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.5% ($25,628 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.8% ($38,041)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.3% ($43,335)
- Bachelor's degree: 22.6% ($61,600)
- Graduate or professional degree: 16.7% ($77,074)
- Less than high school diploma: 8.5% ($25,628 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.8% ($38,041)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.3% ($43,335)
- Bachelor's degree: 22.6% ($61,600)
- Graduate or professional degree: 16.7% ($77,074)
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Harford County
- 36.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.4% ($30,446 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26% ($40,027)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($47,966)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.3% ($69,187)
- Graduate or professional degree: 15.4% ($85,091)
- Less than high school diploma: 7.4% ($30,446 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26% ($40,027)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30% ($47,966)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.3% ($69,187)
- Graduate or professional degree: 15.4% ($85,091)
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JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D. // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Queen Anne's County
- 36.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($30,274 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28.9% ($40,311)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.8% ($49,121)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.9% ($65,698)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.6% ($80,521)
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($30,274 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28.9% ($40,311)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.8% ($49,121)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.9% ($65,698)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.6% ($80,521)
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Farragutful // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Carroll County
- 36.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.2% ($27,219 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.4% ($41,905)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.9% ($51,462)
- Bachelor's degree: 22.5% ($70,386)
- Graduate or professional degree: 13.9% ($81,614)
- Less than high school diploma: 7.2% ($27,219 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.4% ($41,905)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.9% ($51,462)
- Bachelor's degree: 22.5% ($70,386)
- Graduate or professional degree: 13.9% ($81,614)
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Delta1989 // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Kent County
- 35.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.4% ($31,719 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.8% ($31,767)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.6% ($36,378)
- Bachelor's degree: 19.5% ($52,244)
- Graduate or professional degree: 15.6% ($65,203)
- Less than high school diploma: 11.4% ($31,719 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.8% ($31,767)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 23.6% ($36,378)
- Bachelor's degree: 19.5% ($52,244)
- Graduate or professional degree: 15.6% ($65,203)
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MamaGeek // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Prince George's County
- 33.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.3% ($29,590 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.8% ($37,037)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($47,455)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.7% ($63,378)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.4% ($83,966)
- Less than high school diploma: 13.3% ($29,590 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.8% ($37,037)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.9% ($47,455)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.7% ($63,378)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.4% ($83,966)
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Preservation Maryland // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Calvert County
- 32.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.3% ($33,448 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.3% ($49,118)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32% ($57,764)
- Bachelor's degree: 18% ($83,441)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.4% ($93,427)
- Less than high school diploma: 5.3% ($33,448 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.3% ($49,118)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32% ($57,764)
- Bachelor's degree: 18% ($83,441)
- Graduate or professional degree: 14.4% ($93,427)
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
#12. St. Mary's County
- 31.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.2% ($32,302 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.3% ($42,882)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.6% ($55,290)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.9% ($78,319)
- Graduate or professional degree: 13% ($97,744)
- Less than high school diploma: 10.2% ($32,302 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.3% ($42,882)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.6% ($55,290)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.9% ($78,319)
- Graduate or professional degree: 13% ($97,744)
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Famartin // Wikicommons
#11. Baltimore
- 31.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.8% ($24,340 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.1% ($30,309)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($36,229)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.8% ($54,965)
- Graduate or professional degree: 15.1% ($68,963)
- Less than high school diploma: 14.8% ($24,340 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.1% ($30,309)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 24.2% ($36,229)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.8% ($54,965)
- Graduate or professional degree: 15.1% ($68,963)
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Linda Roy Walls // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Worcester County
- 29% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($21,640 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.8% ($30,653)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($36,806)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.6% ($47,219)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.5% ($65,166)
- Less than high school diploma: 8.7% ($21,640 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.8% ($30,653)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($36,806)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.6% ($47,219)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.5% ($65,166)
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Pubdog // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Charles County
- 28.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($30,665 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.7% ($44,523)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.6% ($57,280)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.2% ($75,580)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.7% ($91,668)
- Less than high school diploma: 6.8% ($30,665 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.7% ($44,523)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 32.6% ($57,280)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.2% ($75,580)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.7% ($91,668)
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Eric Fischer // Wikicommons
#8. Wicomico County
- 27.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.8% ($25,696 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.3% ($30,662)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($34,208)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.8% ($53,650)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.4% ($63,378)
- Less than high school diploma: 12.8% ($25,696 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.3% ($30,662)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($34,208)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.8% ($53,650)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.4% ($63,378)
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Cecil County
- 23.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($24,761 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.1% ($40,658)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.4% ($48,252)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.8% ($60,677)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.1% ($73,441)
- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($24,761 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.1% ($40,658)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.4% ($48,252)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.8% ($60,677)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.1% ($73,441)
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Vpuliva // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Washington County
- 21.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.8% ($28,912 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.5% ($33,386)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.8% ($40,994)
- Bachelor's degree: 13% ($51,021)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.9% ($78,053)
- Less than high school diploma: 12.8% ($28,912 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.5% ($33,386)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.8% ($40,994)
- Bachelor's degree: 13% ($51,021)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.9% ($78,053)
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Eli Pousson // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Dorchester County
- 21.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.1% ($14,949 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.5% ($32,388)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.2% ($33,546)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.2% ($47,908)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8% ($59,127)
- Less than high school diploma: 12.1% ($14,949 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.5% ($32,388)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 28.2% ($33,546)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.2% ($47,908)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8% ($59,127)
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Skye Marthaler // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Garrett County
- 20.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.2% ($22,551 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.3% ($30,147)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.6% ($37,329)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.5% ($47,934)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.4% ($58,432)
- Less than high school diploma: 10.2% ($22,551 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.3% ($30,147)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 25.6% ($37,329)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.5% ($47,934)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.4% ($58,432)
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Acroterion // Wikicommons
#3. Allegany County
- 18.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($20,920 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.8% ($28,969)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.6% ($32,069)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($46,527)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.1% ($63,576)
- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($20,920 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 41.8% ($28,969)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.6% ($32,069)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.8% ($46,527)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.1% ($63,576)
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Acroterion // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Caroline County
- 18.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15.7% ($23,582 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.9% ($35,022)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26% ($33,125)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.5% ($53,147)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($66,667)
- Less than high school diploma: 15.7% ($23,582 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.9% ($35,022)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26% ($33,125)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.5% ($53,147)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($66,667)
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jerryinocmd // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Somerset County
- 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 18.7% ($18,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.7% ($28,701)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.2% ($32,204)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($32,961)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($50,670)
- Less than high school diploma: 18.7% ($18,000 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 39.7% ($28,701)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.2% ($32,204)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.7% ($32,961)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($50,670)
