Education in Norfolk, Virginia: official figures
33.5% of adults aged 25 and over in Norfolk held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 375th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Virginia: 42.2%).
How many people in Norfolk have a graduate degree?
14.1% of adults aged 25 and over in Norfolk held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 358th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 1.7% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Norfolk?
In Norfolk, 24.7% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 32.1% 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 Norfolk?
57,559 residents of Norfolk aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 25.7% of that age group, 401st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 31,683 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 8,603 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Norfolk?
18,392 residents of Norfolk were enrolled as college undergraduates and 4,525 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 10.2% of residents aged 3 and over, 113th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Norfolk attend preschool?
2,959 children in Norfolk were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Norfolk compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Norfolk ranks 449 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 446 | Cheyenne | 33.6% |
| 447 | Summerville | 33.5% |
| 448 | Gallatin | 33.5% |
| 449 | Norfolk | 33.5% |
| 450 | West New York | 33.5% |
| 451 | Greenwood | 33.4% |
| 452 | Suffolk | 33.3% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Norfolk ranks 358 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 355 | Roseville | 14.2% |
| 356 | Peoria | 14.1% |
| 357 | Lubbock | 14.1% |
| 358 | Norfolk | 14.1% |
| 359 | Columbus | 14.1% |
| 360 | Sacramento | 14.1% |
| 361 | Alhambra | 14.0% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Norfolk ranks 394 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 391 | Lakewood | 9.8% |
| 392 | Richmond | 9.8% |
| 393 | Tampa | 9.8% |
| 394 | Norfolk | 9.8% |
| 395 | Battle Creek | 9.8% |
| 396 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 9.7% |
| 397 | Kannapolis | 9.7% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Norfolk ranks 113 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Chino Hills | 10.4% |
| 111 | Raleigh | 10.4% |
| 112 | Orange | 10.3% |
| 113 | Norfolk | 10.2% |
| 114 | San Marcos | 10.1% |
| 115 | Lowell | 10.1% |
| 116 | Schenectady | 10.0% |
More on Norfolk: 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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