Education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: official figures
35.4% of adults aged 25 and over in Philadelphia held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 408th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Pennsylvania: 35.2%).
How many people in Philadelphia have a graduate degree?
15.8% of adults aged 25 and over in Philadelphia held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 290th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 2.2% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia, 29.7% 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 Philadelphia?
381,694 residents of Philadelphia aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 25.1% of that age group, 357th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 235,335 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 72,267 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Philadelphia?
87,450 residents of Philadelphia were enrolled as college undergraduates and 37,448 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 8.2% of residents aged 3 and over, 203rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Philadelphia attend preschool?
21,461 children in Philadelphia were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Philadelphia compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Philadelphia ranks 408 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 405 | Lawrence | 35.6% |
| 406 | Clifton | 35.5% |
| 407 | Goodyear | 35.5% |
| 408 | Philadelphia | 35.4% |
| 409 | Worcester | 35.2% |
| 410 | Rock Hill | 35.1% |
| 411 | Santa Rosa | 35.1% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Philadelphia ranks 290 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 287 | St. Petersburg | 15.9% |
| 288 | Fullerton | 15.9% |
| 289 | Wilmington | 15.9% |
| 290 | Philadelphia | 15.8% |
| 291 | Upland | 15.8% |
| 292 | Peoria | 15.7% |
| 293 | Yonkers | 15.7% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Philadelphia ranks 274 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 271 | Conroe | 12.3% |
| 272 | Lakewood | 12.3% |
| 273 | South Bend | 12.2% |
| 274 | Philadelphia | 12.2% |
| 275 | West Haven | 12.2% |
| 276 | Thornton | 12.1% |
| 277 | Augusta | 12.1% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Philadelphia ranks 203 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | Doral | 8.2% |
| 201 | Norwalk | 8.2% |
| 202 | Lakewood | 8.2% |
| 203 | Philadelphia | 8.2% |
| 204 | Placentia | 8.2% |
| 205 | Edmond | 8.1% |
| 206 | Newport News | 8.1% |
More on Philadelphia: 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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