Education in Paterson, New Jersey: official figures
11.8% of adults aged 25 and over in Paterson held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 10th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; New Jersey: 43.6%).
How many people in Paterson have a graduate degree?
3.0% of adults aged 25 and over in Paterson held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 5th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 0.3% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Paterson?
In Paterson, 40.7% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 21.7% 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 Paterson?
42,712 residents of Paterson aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 28.2% of that age group, 210th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 31,589 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 9,419 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Paterson?
7,281 residents of Paterson were enrolled as college undergraduates and 925 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 5.4% of residents aged 3 and over, 199th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Paterson attend preschool?
2,917 children in Paterson were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Paterson compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Paterson ranks 814 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 811 | Perris | 12.3% |
| 812 | Hesperia | 11.9% |
| 813 | Tulare | 11.8% |
| 814 | Paterson | 11.8% |
| 815 | Reading | 11.4% |
| 816 | South Gate | 11.3% |
| 817 | Madera | 10.9% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Paterson ranks 819 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 816 | Perris | 3.2% |
| 817 | Compton | 3.1% |
| 818 | Lynwood | 3.0% |
| 819 | Paterson | 3.0% |
| 820 | Baldwin Park | 2.9% |
| 821 | South Gate | 2.4% |
| 822 | Delano | 2.0% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Paterson ranks 34 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Jurupa Valley | 26.4% |
| 32 | San Bernardino | 25.8% |
| 33 | Elizabeth | 25.8% |
| 34 | Paterson | 25.8% |
| 35 | Garden Grove | 25.5% |
| 36 | Trenton | 25.4% |
| 37 | Montebello | 25.2% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Paterson ranks 625 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 622 | Southaven | 5.4% |
| 623 | Kentwood | 5.4% |
| 624 | Goose Creek | 5.4% |
| 625 | Paterson | 5.4% |
| 626 | Petaluma | 5.4% |
| 627 | Topeka | 5.4% |
| 628 | Miami Beach | 5.4% |
More on Paterson: 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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