College Attainment by County in Washington

King County, Washington has a college-attainment rate of 55.9%, while Adams County sits at 15.4%. That 40.5-point gap captures the full range of educational attainment across Washington's 39 counties. Washington ranks 13 out of 52 states by median county-level college attainment, with a statewide median of 28.2%, compared to the national median of 21.5%.

Counties with the Highest College-Attainment Rates

The following counties lead Washington in share of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher, based on U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.

1. King County, Washington: 55.9% with a bachelor's degree or higher
2. San Juan County, Washington: 53.4% with a bachelor's degree or higher
3. Whitman County, Washington: 50.2% with a bachelor's degree or higher
4. Jefferson County, Washington: 43.3% with a bachelor's degree or higher
5. Whatcom County, Washington: 38.1% with a bachelor's degree or higher

Counties with the Lowest College-Attainment Rates

At the other end of the spectrum, these counties have the smallest share of college graduates, often reflecting rural economies, limited access to four-year institutions, and different workforce compositions.

1. Ferry County, Washington: 18.3% with a bachelor's degree or higher
2. Grant County, Washington: 18.2% with a bachelor's degree or higher
3. Grays Harbor County, Washington: 17.6% with a bachelor's degree or higher
4. Cowlitz County, Washington: 17.0% with a bachelor's degree or higher
5. Adams County, Washington: 15.4% with a bachelor's degree or higher

Education and Economic Outcomes

Across Washington, educational attainment correlates closely with household income. The five highest-attainment counties average $82,171 in median household income, compared to $65,456 in the five lowest-attainment counties. That $16,715 difference underscores why local education levels matter for economic opportunity.

High School Completion as a Baseline

High school graduation rates tell a parallel story. Across Washington's counties, the median share of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent is 92.1%. In many rural counties, a strong high school completion rate coexists with lower four-year college attainment, reflecting the geographic and financial barriers to pursuing higher education.

What Drives the Gaps

College-attainment disparities within a state rarely reflect just one factor. Proximity to universities, local industry mix, historical investment in K-12 education, and migration of college-educated workers all play a role. Counties anchoring metro areas or home to universities often post the highest rates. Remote rural counties, where industries require skilled trades rather than degrees, frequently land at the bottom, without that being a mark of failure as much as a reflection of different economic paths.

Explore detailed education, income, and demographic data for every county in Washington at counties.cambium.ai.