Workforce Transformed! 46% of Females 25-34 Now Have a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher

The education gains of America’s young professional workforce continue to be an impressive story of the past 10+ years. Recently released 2024 data from the Census’ American Community Survey shows that 41% of the overall population aged 25-34 years has a bachelor’s degree or higher, 10 points higher than the 2010 level of 31%.

Most striking is the continued disparity between men and women. 46% of women today in this age bracket (25-34) have a bachelor’s (or higher), versus 36% of men. And, men today are only as educated as women were 14 years ago.

Where do these young professional women live? The highest attainment rates are in smaller university towns (where they might still be completing advanced degrees): Boulder-CO (77%), Bozeman-MT (71%), and Burlington-VT (71%). Large tech hubs also rank well (San Jose, Boston, San Francisco).

Download a complete list of metros and micros to see how your community’s educational attainment has changed for young professionals.