Education in Portland, Oregon: official figures
53.8% of adults aged 25 and over in Portland held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 141st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Oregon: 36.8%).
How many people in Portland have a graduate degree?
21.8% of adults aged 25 and over in Portland held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 145th 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 Portland?
In Portland, 14.6% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 25.0% 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 Portland?
128,258 residents of Portland aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 20.5% of that age group, 57th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 77,094 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 25,279 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Portland?
31,808 residents of Portland were enrolled as college undergraduates and 11,880 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 7.0% of residents aged 3 and over, 327th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Portland attend preschool?
7,476 children in Portland were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Portland compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Portland ranks 141 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 138 | White Plains | 53.9% |
| 139 | Skokie | 53.8% |
| 140 | San Clemente | 53.8% |
| 141 | Portland | 53.8% |
| 142 | Gainesville | 53.7% |
| 143 | Jupiter | 53.5% |
| 144 | Asheville | 53.4% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Portland ranks 145 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 142 | Lenexa | 21.9% |
| 143 | Redlands | 21.8% |
| 144 | San Rafael | 21.8% |
| 145 | Portland | 21.8% |
| 146 | San Diego | 21.7% |
| 147 | Flagstaff | 21.7% |
| 148 | Leander | 21.6% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Portland ranks 563 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 560 | Springfield | 6.7% |
| 561 | New Braunfels | 6.7% |
| 562 | Goose Creek | 6.6% |
| 563 | Portland | 6.6% |
| 564 | Bristol | 6.6% |
| 565 | Atlanta | 6.6% |
| 566 | South Fulton | 6.6% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Portland ranks 327 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 324 | Hillsboro | 7.0% |
| 325 | Texas City | 7.0% |
| 326 | Waxahachie | 7.0% |
| 327 | Portland | 7.0% |
| 328 | South Fulton | 7.0% |
| 329 | Madison | 7.0% |
| 330 | Rialto | 7.0% |
More on Portland: 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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