Education in Rockford, Illinois: official figures
23.5% of adults aged 25 and over in Rockford held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 147th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Illinois: 37.8%).
How many people in Rockford have a graduate degree?
9.0% of adults aged 25 and over in Rockford held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 207th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 0.8% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Rockford?
In Rockford, 30.4% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 31.0% 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 Rockford?
35,119 residents of Rockford aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 24.7% of that age group, 327th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 25,378 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 8,080 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Rockford?
5,837 residents of Rockford were enrolled as college undergraduates and 1,566 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 5.2% of residents aged 3 and over, 167th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Rockford attend preschool?
2,338 children in Rockford were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Rockford compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Rockford ranks 677 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 674 | Bakersfield | 23.6% |
| 675 | Akron | 23.6% |
| 676 | Maricopa | 23.6% |
| 677 | Rockford | 23.5% |
| 678 | Nampa | 23.4% |
| 679 | New Brunswick | 23.4% |
| 680 | Bridgeport | 23.4% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Rockford ranks 617 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 614 | Springdale | 9.0% |
| 615 | Lafayette | 9.0% |
| 616 | Kennewick | 9.0% |
| 617 | Rockford | 9.0% |
| 618 | Portsmouth | 8.9% |
| 619 | Chicopee | 8.9% |
| 620 | Everett | 8.9% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Rockford ranks 169 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 166 | Phoenix | 15.2% |
| 167 | San Rafael | 15.2% |
| 168 | Lorain | 15.1% |
| 169 | Rockford | 15.1% |
| 170 | Kenner | 15.1% |
| 171 | Springfield | 15.1% |
| 172 | Burien | 15.0% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Rockford ranks 657 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 654 | Elizabeth | 5.2% |
| 655 | Little Elm | 5.2% |
| 656 | Peoria | 5.2% |
| 657 | Rockford | 5.2% |
| 658 | Longview | 5.2% |
| 659 | Hoover | 5.2% |
| 660 | Schaumburg | 5.2% |
More on Rockford: 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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