Education in Surprise, Arizona: official figures
30.5% of adults aged 25 and over in Surprise held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2020-2024, 314th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 35.7%; Arizona: 33.3%).
How many people in Surprise have a graduate degree?
11.3% of adults aged 25 and over in Surprise held a master's, professional or doctoral degree, 329th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 14.1%); 0.9% held a doctorate.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the education level of adults in Surprise?
In Surprise, 25.3% of adults aged 25 and over had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest qualification and 38.4% 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 Surprise?
36,852 residents of Surprise aged 3 and over were enrolled in school or college in 2020-2024, 24.5% of that age group, 303rd lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 24.7%); 27,495 were in kindergarten to grade 12, including 9,002 in grades 9 to 12.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many college students live in Surprise?
5,715 residents of Surprise were enrolled as college undergraduates and 1,510 in graduate or professional school in 2020-2024, together 4.8% of residents aged 3 and over, 100th lowest of 823 US cities of 50,000 or more (US: 6.6%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Surprise attend preschool?
2,132 children in Surprise were enrolled in nursery school or preschool in 2020-2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Surprise compares with other cities in the United States
Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher (2020-2024)
Surprise ranks 510 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 507 | Newport News | 30.6% |
| 508 | North Little Rock | 30.6% |
| 509 | Temple | 30.6% |
| 510 | Surprise | 30.5% |
| 511 | Columbus | 30.5% |
| 512 | West Haven | 30.5% |
| 513 | Casper | 30.5% |
Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (2020-2024)
Surprise ranks 495 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ with a graduate or professional degree |
|---|---|---|
| 492 | Concord | 11.3% |
| 493 | Memphis | 11.3% |
| 494 | Santee | 11.3% |
| 495 | Surprise | 11.3% |
| 496 | Beaumont | 11.2% |
| 497 | San Antonio | 11.2% |
| 498 | Ocoee | 11.2% |
Adults 25+ without a high school diploma (2020-2024)
Surprise ranks 617 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Adults 25+ without a high school diploma |
|---|---|---|
| 614 | Chesapeake | 5.8% |
| 615 | Norman | 5.8% |
| 616 | Goodyear | 5.8% |
| 617 | Surprise | 5.8% |
| 618 | Shoreline | 5.7% |
| 619 | Plano | 5.7% |
| 620 | Mission Viejo | 5.7% |
Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school (2020-2024)
Surprise ranks 724 of 823, highest first.
| Rank | City | Residents aged 3+ enrolled in college or graduate school |
|---|---|---|
| 721 | Battle Creek | 4.8% |
| 722 | Eagan | 4.8% |
| 723 | Bartlett | 4.8% |
| 724 | Surprise | 4.8% |
| 725 | Rockwall | 4.8% |
| 726 | Coon Rapids | 4.8% |
| 727 | Decatur | 4.8% |
More on Surprise: 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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