Least educated counties in Idaho
The value of traditional education can vary widely across the country. While a college degree has long been viewed as a critical step toward the American dream, growing costs have led many students to reconsider the return-on-investment of higher education. Meanwhile, local economies and individual circumstances can push others toward learning a trade or entering the workforce early.
These considerations aside, national statistics show a clear difference in earnings as they relate to educational attainment, as college graduates than those with only a high school degree.
To help understand areas with the lowest educational attainment, compiled a list of the least educated counties in Idaho using data from the . Counties are ranked by the lowest percent of the population 25 years and over that has a Bachelor's degree or higher. Ties are broken by the highest percent with less than high school diploma.
Keep read on for a look at the least-educated counties in Idaho.
#44. Latah County
- 45.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 4.2% ($27,245 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 19.7% ($31,442)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.7% ($32,758)
- Bachelor's degree: 25.6% ($37,114)
- Graduate or professional degree: 19.8% ($49,148)
#43. Teton County
- 41% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.3% ($26,042 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 16.6% ($35,132)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.2% ($32,463)
- Bachelor's degree: 29.6% ($43,175)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.4% ($64,800)
#42. Ada County
- 38.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 4.8% ($22,819 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 22.4% ($31,783)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.2% ($36,450)
- Bachelor's degree: 25.5% ($51,074)
- Graduate or professional degree: 13% ($68,577)
#41. Madison County
- 36.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 4.1% ($21,628 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 15.2% ($26,736)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 44.3% ($20,780)
- Bachelor's degree: 25.1% ($21,243)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.3% ($78,871)
#40. Blaine County
- 35.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.3% ($25,569 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.6% ($31,381)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 27.7% ($36,028)
- Bachelor's degree: 23.6% ($50,947)
- Graduate or professional degree: 11.7% ($46,910)
#39. Bonneville County
- 31.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8% ($26,167 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.4% ($27,219)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.2% ($31,220)
- Bachelor's degree: 21.5% ($47,120)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.8% ($83,151)
#38. Valley County
- 30.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.4% ($21,661 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26.7% ($26,377)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.5% ($28,786)
- Bachelor's degree: 19.8% ($30,114)
- Graduate or professional degree: 10.6% ($47,596)
#37. Bannock County
- 27.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.5% ($23,794 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26.4% ($28,181)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.2% ($30,968)
- Bachelor's degree: 19.1% ($38,595)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.7% ($60,691)
#36. Boise County
- 27.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 5.6% ($14,750 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.6% ($30,156)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.6% ($31,673)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.2% ($48,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 9.9% ($93,542)
#35. Kootenai County
- 25.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.9% ($25,543 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 27.2% ($30,663)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.8% ($30,939)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.7% ($49,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.5% ($63,525)
#34. Jefferson County
- 24.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($31,488 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 25.5% ($30,362)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40% ($37,679)
- Bachelor's degree: 17.8% ($40,698)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.9% ($64,583)
#33. Custer County
- 24.4% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.6% ($18,676 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28.6% ($20,750)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.4% ($31,818)
- Bachelor's degree: 18.8% ($33,994)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.6%
#32. Bonner County
- 23.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.2% ($24,821 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.8% ($28,392)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.2% ($30,455)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.5% ($30,442)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.4% ($43,004)
#31. Lemhi County
- 22.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.9%
- High school graduate: 30.3% ($23,224)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39% ($30,125)
- Bachelor's degree: 15% ($30,486)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.9% ($56,058)
#30. Nez Perce County
- 22.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8% ($26,867 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.1% ($31,562)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37% ($39,635)
- Bachelor's degree: 16.7% ($45,885)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($59,517)
#29. Fremont County
- 21.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.4% ($21,457 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.2% ($34,811)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.7% ($26,028)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.8% ($42,500)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.9% ($58,750)
#28. Adams County
- 21.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($27,222 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.9% ($31,115)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.2% ($30,667)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.4% ($31,976)
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.8% ($29,327)
#27. Bingham County
- 21.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10.9% ($30,292 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 31.3% ($27,433)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.6% ($32,602)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.9% ($44,450)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.3% ($57,530)
#26. Twin Falls County
- 20.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.9% ($26,173 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 27.2% ($31,367)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.3% ($31,622)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.9% ($41,708)
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.7% ($56,513)
#25. Boundary County
- 19.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.2% ($31,587 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 42.7% ($30,984)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 29.3% ($30,239)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.3% ($42,279)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.5% ($46,000)
#24. Idaho County
- 19.8% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.5% ($18,603 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 36.1% ($20,632)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.7% ($29,167)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.4% ($42,303)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.4% ($52,933)
#23. Caribou County
- 19% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 8.8% ($22,438 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.4% ($24,670)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 39.8% ($35,500)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.9% ($41,548)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.1% ($58,897)
#22. Bear Lake County
- 18.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.5% ($24,643 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.4% ($32,070)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 36.3% ($32,734)
- Bachelor's degree: 14.1% ($32,321)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($32,656)
#21. Elmore County
- 18.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 10% ($25,482 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 26.8% ($27,320)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 44.5% ($35,971)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.8% ($41,758)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($58,125)
#20. Canyon County
- 18.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.9% ($25,118 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.1% ($30,560)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.4% ($30,689)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.4% ($40,972)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($49,197)
#19. Cassia County
- 18.6% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 16.4% ($25,481 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 29.8% ($28,727)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.2% ($31,936)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.7% ($41,525)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($60,000)
#18. Clearwater County
- 17.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.6% ($21,900 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35.5% ($24,494)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.1% ($31,548)
- Bachelor's degree: 13.1% ($37,361)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.8% ($44,167)
#17. Lewis County
- 17.9% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 11.5%
- High school graduate: 29.6% ($25,900)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 41% ($26,285)
- Bachelor's degree: 13% ($36,250)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.9% ($57,292)
#16. Franklin County
- 17.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.6%
- High school graduate: 37.8% ($37,009)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.8% ($36,420)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.5% ($52,396)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.2% ($95,221)
#15. Gem County
- 17.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.2% ($27,150 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37% ($22,364)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.4% ($31,107)
- Bachelor's degree: 12.5% ($37,308)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($57,730)
#14. Gooding County
- 17.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.9% ($23,207 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 35% ($29,107)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 26.9% ($36,133)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.1% ($46,705)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.1% ($40,255)
#13. Oneida County
- 17.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 9.8% ($29,697 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.9% ($30,847)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 38.2% ($32,083)
- Bachelor's degree: 15.4% ($46,210)
- Graduate or professional degree: 1.8% ($59,375)
#12. Camas County
- 16.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 6.7% ($16,618 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 43.2% ($30,227)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.9% ($32,396)
- Bachelor's degree: 9%
- Graduate or professional degree: 7.2% ($72,188)
#11. Washington County
- 16.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 15% ($16,092 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.8% ($22,633)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 34.9% ($26,875)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($31,198)
- Graduate or professional degree: 6.2% ($47,446)
#10. Butte County
- 16.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 7.2%
- High school graduate: 36% ($25,706)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 40.6% ($35,536)
- Bachelor's degree: 11.9% ($48,000)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.2% ($63,958)
#9. Jerome County
- 16.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 22.8% ($27,188 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 30.6% ($29,230)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.5% ($29,851)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.4% ($38,233)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.7% ($51,689)
#8. Payette County
- 15.7% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 14.4% ($31,983 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 34.7% ($32,255)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 35.3% ($31,923)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.7% ($42,917)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($52,083)
#7. Benewah County
- 15.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 12.4% ($18,605 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 38.4% ($34,630)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.9% ($30,926)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.7% ($40,385)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($54,821)
#6. Power County
- 15.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.8% ($33,924 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.7% ($30,156)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 31.4% ($20,404)
- Bachelor's degree: 10.1% ($42,109)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5% ($63,889)
#5. Minidoka County
- 14.1% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 20.8% ($25,785 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 32.1% ($30,014)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33% ($31,976)
- Bachelor's degree: 9.4% ($43,488)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.7% ($56,815)
#4. Clark County
- 12.2% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 40.2% ($23,583 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 28% ($19,432)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 19.6% ($34,500)
- Bachelor's degree: 6.9% ($43,125)
- Graduate or professional degree: 5.3% ($51,875)
#3. Owyhee County
- 12% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.8% ($22,546 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.4% ($26,011)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 30.8% ($28,824)
- Bachelor's degree: 9% ($39,955)
- Graduate or professional degree: 3% ($34,583)
#2. Shoshone County
- 11.5% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 13.8% ($13,894 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 37% ($25,597)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 37.6% ($33,750)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.1% ($42,028)
- Graduate or professional degree: 4.5% ($46,000)
#1. Lincoln County
- 10.3% of population 25 years and over with Bachelor's degree or higher
- Less than high school diploma: 23.4% ($32,966 median earnings)
- High school graduate: 33.3% ($33,319)
- Some college or Associate's degree: 33.1% ($35,743)
- Bachelor's degree: 7.5% ($38,750)
- Graduate or professional degree: 2.7% ($41,875)