Education in Asheville, North Carolina: official figures
53.4% of adults aged 25 and over in Asheville held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 144th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; North Carolina: 35.7%).
How many people in Asheville have a graduate degree?
22.7% of adults aged 25 and over in Asheville held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 129th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 2.2% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Asheville?
In Asheville, 18.0% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 22.7% had some college or an associate's degree (US: 26.0% and 27.9%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many students are there in Asheville?
17,132 residents of Asheville aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 18.5% of that age group, 16th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 9,933 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 3,258 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Asheville?
5,073 residents of Asheville were enrolled as college undergraduates and 1,154 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 6.7% of residents aged 3 and over, 374th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Asheville attend preschool?
972 children in Asheville were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Asheville compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Asheville ranks 144 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 141 | Portland | 53.8% |
| 142 | Gainesville | 53.7% |
| 143 | Jupiter | 53.5% |
| 144 | Asheville | 53.4% |
| 145 | Manhattan | 53.3% |
| 146 | Leander | 53.3% |
| 147 | Shawnee | 53.1% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Asheville ranks 129 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 126 | Edmond | 23.0% |
| 127 | Flower Mound | 23.0% |
| 128 | Charleston | 22.8% |
| 129 | Asheville | 22.7% |
| 130 | Bentonville | 22.6% |
| 131 | Millcreek | 22.5% |
| 132 | Salt Lake City | 22.4% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Asheville ranks 610 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 607 | Wilmington | 5.9% |
| 608 | Clarksville | 5.9% |
| 609 | Bowie | 5.9% |
| 610 | Asheville | 5.9% |
| 611 | Anchorage | 5.9% |
| 612 | Livermore | 5.8% |
| 613 | Coon Rapids | 5.8% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Asheville ranks 374 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 371 | Sterling Heights | 6.8% |
| 372 | Framingham | 6.7% |
| 373 | North Charleston | 6.7% |
| 374 | Asheville | 6.7% |
| 375 | Rochester | 6.7% |
| 376 | Murray | 6.7% |
| 377 | Rio Rancho | 6.7% |
More on Asheville: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B15003: Educational Attainment for the Population 25 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 d0c8609e958022459215c8a31d7452ef7528ee8dd70fbb6f9a99de0f491f42d7), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 609deae49c91…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, table B14001: School Enrollment by Level of School for the Population 3 Years and Over (Summary File rows for the US, the states and the listed cities, copied unchanged from the full file, sha256 e175af4a33616da45fb590da3d67f37eee65a3cb51e6f5864c64ff31fb716b81), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b85f52a6d640…)
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