Education in Salem, Oregon: official figures
31.5% of adults aged 25 and over in Salem held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 339th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Oregon: 36.8%).
How many people in Salem have a graduate degree?
12.5% of adults aged 25 and over in Salem held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 391st lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 1.3% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Salem?
In Salem, 23.1% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 33.7% 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 Salem?
40,508 residents of Salem aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 23.5% of that age group, 208th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 28,915 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 9,307 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Salem?
7,619 residents of Salem were enrolled as college undergraduates and 2,022 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 5.6% of residents aged 3 and over, 231st lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Salem attend preschool?
1,952 children in Salem were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Salem compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Salem ranks 485 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 482 | Idaho Falls | 31.7% |
| 483 | Oak Lawn | 31.6% |
| 484 | St. Cloud | 31.6% |
| 485 | Salem | 31.5% |
| 486 | Kingsport | 31.5% |
| 487 | Tyler | 31.4% |
| 488 | Waxahachie | 31.4% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Salem ranks 433 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 430 | Tulsa | 12.6% |
| 431 | Oklahoma City | 12.6% |
| 432 | High Point | 12.6% |
| 433 | Salem | 12.5% |
| 434 | Springfield | 12.5% |
| 435 | Cleveland | 12.5% |
| 436 | Shreveport | 12.5% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Salem ranks 295 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 292 | San Marcos | 11.8% |
| 293 | Galveston | 11.8% |
| 294 | Akron | 11.7% |
| 295 | Salem | 11.7% |
| 296 | Bradenton | 11.7% |
| 297 | Auburn | 11.6% |
| 298 | Boynton Beach | 11.6% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Salem ranks 593 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 590 | Waukegan | 5.6% |
| 591 | Anchorage | 5.6% |
| 592 | Greenwood | 5.6% |
| 593 | Salem | 5.6% |
| 594 | Apple Valley | 5.6% |
| 595 | Bloomington | 5.6% |
| 596 | Aurora | 5.6% |
More on Salem: 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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