Education in San Luis Obispo, California: official figures
54.4% of adults aged 25 and over in San Luis Obispo held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 133rd highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; California: 37.1%).
How many people in San Luis Obispo have a graduate degree?
24.1% of adults aged 25 and over in San Luis Obispo held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 113th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 4.7% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in San Luis Obispo?
In San Luis Obispo, 12.7% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 29.5% 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 San Luis Obispo?
20,086 residents of San Luis Obispo aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 42.1% of that age group, 21st highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 3,604 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 1,213 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in San Luis Obispo?
15,034 residents of San Luis Obispo were enrolled as college undergraduates and 856 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 33.3% of residents aged 3 and over, 11th highest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in San Luis Obispo attend preschool?
592 children in San Luis Obispo were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow San Luis Obispo compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
San Luis Obispo ranks 133 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 130 | Jersey City | 54.8% |
| 131 | Eagan | 54.7% |
| 132 | Redwood City | 54.4% |
| 133 | San Luis Obispo | 54.4% |
| 134 | Millcreek | 54.2% |
| 135 | McKinney | 54.1% |
| 136 | Torrance | 54.0% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
San Luis Obispo ranks 113 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Pittsburgh | 24.2% |
| 111 | Palm Beach Gardens | 24.2% |
| 112 | Smyrna | 24.1% |
| 113 | San Luis Obispo | 24.1% |
| 114 | Portland | 24.0% |
| 115 | Miami Beach | 24.0% |
| 116 | Roswell | 23.9% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
San Luis Obispo ranks 760 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 757 | Lakeville | 3.5% |
| 758 | Eagan | 3.4% |
| 759 | Eden Prairie | 3.4% |
| 760 | San Luis Obispo | 3.4% |
| 761 | Noblesville | 3.4% |
| 762 | Manhattan | 3.4% |
| 763 | Frisco | 3.4% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
San Luis Obispo ranks 11 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Chapel Hill | 35.5% |
| 9 | Davis | 34.5% |
| 10 | Iowa City | 34.2% |
| 11 | San Luis Obispo | 33.3% |
| 12 | Normal | 33.2% |
| 13 | Manhattan | 33.1% |
| 14 | San Marcos | 32.2% |
More on San Luis Obispo: 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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