Education in Charlotte, North Carolina: official figures
48.0% of adults aged 25 and over in Charlotte held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 206th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; North Carolina: 35.7%).
How many people in Charlotte have a graduate degree?
17.3% of adults aged 25 and over in Charlotte held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 251st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 1.4% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Charlotte?
In Charlotte, 16.8% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 24.8% 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 Charlotte?
214,704 residents of Charlotte aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 24.7% of that age group, 326th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 143,219 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 45,272 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Charlotte?
43,994 residents of Charlotte were enrolled as college undergraduates and 13,993 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 6.7% of residents aged 3 and over, 381st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Charlotte attend preschool?
13,498 children in Charlotte were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Charlotte compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Charlotte ranks 206 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 203 | Chino Hills | 48.1% |
| 204 | Nashville | 48.0% |
| 205 | Rocklin | 48.0% |
| 206 | Charlotte | 48.0% |
| 207 | South Jordan | 47.9% |
| 208 | Georgetown | 47.8% |
| 209 | Santa Fe | 47.8% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Charlotte ranks 251 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 248 | Colorado Springs | 17.4% |
| 249 | Placentia | 17.4% |
| 250 | Irving | 17.4% |
| 251 | Charlotte | 17.3% |
| 252 | Glendale | 17.2% |
| 253 | Saratoga Springs | 17.0% |
| 254 | St. Charles | 17.0% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Charlotte ranks 359 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 356 | Columbus | 10.5% |
| 357 | Placentia | 10.5% |
| 358 | Glendale | 10.5% |
| 359 | Charlotte | 10.5% |
| 360 | Athens | 10.5% |
| 361 | St. Joseph | 10.5% |
| 362 | Manchester | 10.5% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Charlotte ranks 381 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 378 | West Palm Beach | 6.7% |
| 379 | Modesto | 6.7% |
| 380 | Temple | 6.7% |
| 381 | Charlotte | 6.7% |
| 382 | Miami | 6.7% |
| 383 | Santa Monica | 6.7% |
| 384 | Southfield | 6.6% |
More on Charlotte: 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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