Education in Birmingham, Alabama: official figures
31.1% of adults aged 25 and over in Birmingham held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 324th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Alabama: 28.4%).
How many people in Birmingham have a graduate degree?
12.3% of adults aged 25 and over in Birmingham held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 381st lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 1.8% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Birmingham?
In Birmingham, 28.3% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 29.6% 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 Birmingham?
47,489 residents of Birmingham aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 24.6% of that age group, 315th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 26,843 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 8,088 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Birmingham?
13,451 residents of Birmingham were enrolled as college undergraduates and 4,433 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 9.3% of residents aged 3 and over, 140th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Birmingham attend preschool?
2,762 children in Birmingham were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Birmingham compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Birmingham ranks 500 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 497 | Tucson | 31.1% |
| 498 | Wichita | 31.1% |
| 499 | Warner Robins | 31.1% |
| 500 | Birmingham | 31.1% |
| 501 | Methuen | 31.0% |
| 502 | Kyle | 31.0% |
| 503 | Stonecrest | 31.0% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Birmingham ranks 443 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 440 | Vancouver | 12.4% |
| 441 | Clearwater | 12.3% |
| 442 | Columbus | 12.3% |
| 443 | Birmingham | 12.3% |
| 444 | Waukesha | 12.2% |
| 445 | Lacey | 12.2% |
| 446 | Bismarck | 12.2% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Birmingham ranks 332 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 329 | Federal Way | 11.0% |
| 330 | Novato | 11.0% |
| 331 | Portsmouth | 11.0% |
| 332 | Birmingham | 11.0% |
| 333 | Frederick | 10.9% |
| 334 | Winston-Salem | 10.9% |
| 335 | Eastvale | 10.9% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Birmingham ranks 140 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 137 | St. Charles | 9.3% |
| 138 | Redlands | 9.3% |
| 139 | Tustin | 9.3% |
| 140 | Birmingham | 9.3% |
| 141 | Clarksville | 9.3% |
| 142 | Upland | 9.2% |
| 143 | Washington | 9.2% |
More on Birmingham: 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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