Education in New Orleans, Louisiana: official figures
42.4% of adults aged 25 and over in New Orleans held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 282nd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Louisiana: 27.0%).
How many people in New Orleans have a graduate degree?
19.7% of adults aged 25 and over in New Orleans held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 181st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 2.5% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in New Orleans?
In New Orleans, 21.0% 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 New Orleans?
91,107 residents of New Orleans aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 25.3% of that age group, 381st lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 53,107 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 17,815 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in New Orleans?
23,521 residents of New Orleans were enrolled as college undergraduates and 8,237 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 8.8% of residents aged 3 and over, 163rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in New Orleans attend preschool?
6,242 children in New Orleans were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow New Orleans compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
New Orleans ranks 282 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 279 | Mansfield | 42.5% |
| 280 | Johnson City | 42.5% |
| 281 | Irving | 42.4% |
| 282 | New Orleans | 42.4% |
| 283 | Hillsboro | 42.3% |
| 284 | Chico | 42.2% |
| 285 | Barnstable Town | 42.1% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
New Orleans ranks 181 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 178 | Parker | 20.1% |
| 179 | Bellingham | 19.8% |
| 180 | Wellington | 19.7% |
| 181 | New Orleans | 19.7% |
| 182 | Schaumburg | 19.7% |
| 183 | Huntsville | 19.7% |
| 184 | Eagan | 19.7% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
New Orleans ranks 364 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 361 | St. Joseph | 10.5% |
| 362 | Manchester | 10.5% |
| 363 | Clifton | 10.4% |
| 364 | New Orleans | 10.4% |
| 365 | Doral | 10.4% |
| 366 | Waterloo | 10.4% |
| 367 | Roanoke | 10.3% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
New Orleans ranks 163 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | Rochester Hills | 8.9% |
| 161 | Turlock | 8.9% |
| 162 | Tyler | 8.8% |
| 163 | New Orleans | 8.8% |
| 164 | Arlington | 8.8% |
| 165 | Greenville | 8.8% |
| 166 | Garden Grove | 8.8% |
More on New Orleans: 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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