Education in Charleston, South Carolina: official figures
58.3% of adults aged 25 and over in Charleston held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 97th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; South Carolina: 32.1%).
How many people in Charleston have a graduate degree?
22.8% of adults aged 25 and over in Charleston held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 128th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 3.1% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Charleston?
In Charleston, 15.0% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 22.8% 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 Charleston?
35,466 residents of Charleston aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 23.8% of that age group, 236th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 18,708 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 6,051 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Charleston?
11,400 residents of Charleston were enrolled as college undergraduates and 3,048 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 9.7% of residents aged 3 and over, 126th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Charleston attend preschool?
2,310 children in Charleston were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Charleston compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 97 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 94 | Atlanta | 59.2% |
| 95 | Doral | 59.2% |
| 96 | Bloomington | 58.8% |
| 97 | Charleston | 58.3% |
| 98 | Downers Grove | 58.2% |
| 99 | Milpitas | 58.2% |
| 100 | San Mateo | 57.8% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 128 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | Celina | 23.0% |
| 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% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 727 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 724 | Sandy | 4.0% |
| 725 | Cambridge | 4.0% |
| 726 | La Crosse | 3.9% |
| 727 | Charleston | 3.9% |
| 728 | Millcreek | 3.9% |
| 729 | Shawnee | 3.9% |
| 730 | Coeur d'Alene | 3.9% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Charleston ranks 126 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 123 | Greeley | 9.7% |
| 124 | Erie | 9.7% |
| 125 | Stonecrest | 9.7% |
| 126 | Charleston | 9.7% |
| 127 | Tampa | 9.7% |
| 128 | Seattle | 9.6% |
| 129 | Lakeland | 9.6% |
More on Charleston: 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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