How educated is Memphis?

The share of adults in Memphis, TN with a bachelor's degree or higher, how that has shifted since 2015, and how it compares with the county, the state and the United States.

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, table B15003.

This story was assembled using AI and public data sources.

How far did Memphis go in school?

Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher: 28.2% — U.S.: 35.0%

Highest degree held, adults 25+ (2023)

• Bachelor's: 69541
• Graduate or professional: 46566
• No bachelor's degree: 295952

Share with a bachelor's degree or higher

• Memphis: 28.2
• Shelby County: 34.2
• TN: 30.4
• U.S.: 35

Bachelor's degree or higher, 2015 to 2023

• 2015: 25.2
• 2023: 28.2

What it means

Memphis's college-degree share is notably lower than the national figure — 28.2% here versus 35.0% nationally.

Since 2015 the share has risen by about 3.0 percentage points.

Educational attainment tracks adults 25 and older who live here now — it does not say where they went to school.