Education in Nashville, Tennessee: official figures
48.0% of adults aged 25 and over in Nashville held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 204th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Tennessee: 31.1%).
How many people in Nashville have a graduate degree?
18.5% of adults aged 25 and over in Nashville held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 221st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 2.7% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Nashville?
In Nashville, 20.0% 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 Nashville?
152,875 residents of Nashville aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 23.1% of that age group, 183rd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 92,956 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 28,729 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Nashville?
34,783 residents of Nashville were enrolled as college undergraduates and 16,745 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 7.8% of residents aged 3 and over, 242nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Nashville attend preschool?
8,391 children in Nashville were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Nashville compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Nashville ranks 204 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | Lexington | 48.3% |
| 202 | Gilbert | 48.2% |
| 203 | Chino Hills | 48.1% |
| 204 | Nashville | 48.0% |
| 205 | Rocklin | 48.0% |
| 206 | Charlotte | 48.0% |
| 207 | South Jordan | 47.9% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Nashville ranks 221 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 218 | South Jordan | 18.6% |
| 219 | Lake Forest | 18.6% |
| 220 | St. Louis | 18.6% |
| 221 | Nashville | 18.5% |
| 222 | Tuscaloosa | 18.5% |
| 223 | Columbus | 18.4% |
| 224 | Hillsboro | 18.3% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Nashville ranks 420 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 417 | Quincy | 9.3% |
| 418 | Springfield | 9.3% |
| 419 | Lebanon | 9.3% |
| 420 | Nashville | 9.2% |
| 421 | Jersey City | 9.2% |
| 422 | San Mateo | 9.2% |
| 423 | Jonesboro | 9.2% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Nashville ranks 242 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 239 | Joplin | 7.8% |
| 240 | Santa Clarita | 7.8% |
| 241 | Albuquerque | 7.8% |
| 242 | Nashville | 7.8% |
| 243 | Springfield | 7.8% |
| 244 | Santa Ana | 7.8% |
| 245 | Yuba City | 7.8% |
More on Nashville: 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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