Education in Grand Rapids, Michigan: official figures
41.6% of adults aged 25 and over in Grand Rapids held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 296th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Michigan: 32.4%).
How many people in Grand Rapids have a graduate degree?
14.3% of adults aged 25 and over in Grand Rapids held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 346th highest 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 Grand Rapids?
In Grand Rapids, 21.6% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 26.3% 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 Grand Rapids?
48,333 residents of Grand Rapids aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 25.3% of that age group, 376th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 29,138 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 9,550 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Grand Rapids?
12,354 residents of Grand Rapids were enrolled as college undergraduates and 3,620 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 8.3% of residents aged 3 and over, 193rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Grand Rapids attend preschool?
3,221 children in Grand Rapids were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Grand Rapids compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Grand Rapids ranks 296 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 293 | Waukesha | 41.7% |
| 294 | Kettering | 41.7% |
| 295 | New York | 41.6% |
| 296 | Grand Rapids | 41.6% |
| 297 | Redlands | 41.5% |
| 298 | Urban Honolulu | 41.5% |
| 299 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | 41.5% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Grand Rapids ranks 346 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 343 | Reno | 14.5% |
| 344 | Chesapeake | 14.4% |
| 345 | Fargo | 14.4% |
| 346 | Grand Rapids | 14.3% |
| 347 | Rapid City | 14.3% |
| 348 | Wylie | 14.3% |
| 349 | Westminster | 14.3% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Grand Rapids ranks 354 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 351 | Hollywood | 10.6% |
| 352 | Green Bay | 10.6% |
| 353 | Evansville | 10.6% |
| 354 | Grand Rapids | 10.5% |
| 355 | Independence | 10.5% |
| 356 | Columbus | 10.5% |
| 357 | Placentia | 10.5% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Grand Rapids ranks 193 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | Jonesboro | 8.4% |
| 191 | El Paso | 8.4% |
| 192 | Bridgeport | 8.4% |
| 193 | Grand Rapids | 8.3% |
| 194 | Lansing | 8.3% |
| 195 | Sacramento | 8.3% |
| 196 | Los Angeles | 8.3% |
More on Grand Rapids: 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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