The least educated counties in Michigan? Branch County ranks #14

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 Michigan 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.

Among the counties in our area:

#48. Calhoun County

– 21% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor’s degree or higher

– Less than high school diploma: 8.9% ($20,980 median earnings)
– High school graduate: 36.8% ($30,429)
– Some college or Associate’s degree: 33.2% ($35,735)
– Bachelor’s degree: 13.7% ($48,023)
– Graduate or professional degree: 7.3% ($67,371)

#28. Hillsdale County

– 17.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor’s degree or higher

– Less than high school diploma: 11.9% ($22,788 median earnings)
– High school graduate: 38.9% ($31,425)
– Some college or Associate’s degree: 31.9% ($36,696)
– Bachelor’s degree: 10.7% ($45,700)
– Graduate or professional degree: 6.7% ($66,711)

#21. St. Joseph County

– 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor’s degree or higher

– Less than high school diploma: 13% ($30,880 median earnings)
– High school graduate: 36.6% ($31,065)
– Some college or Associate’s degree: 34.3% ($32,091)
– Bachelor’s degree: 10.4% ($48,884)
– Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($59,750)

#14. Branch County

– 14.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor’s degree or higher

– Less than high school diploma: 10.9% ($25,388 median earnings)
– High school graduate: 41.5% ($30,156)
– Some college or Associate’s degree: 33.2% ($32,426)
– Bachelor’s degree: 10.1% ($49,000)
– Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($71,553)

#1. Oscoda County

– 10.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor’s degree or higher

– Less than high school diploma: 16.6% ($28,438 median earnings)
– High school graduate: 37.4% ($21,900)
– Some college or Associate’s degree: 35.5% ($27,715)
– Bachelor’s degree: 6.7% ($28,482)
– Graduate or professional degree: 3.9% ($62,500)