Arkansas' education system presents a mixed picture, with some areas for improvement and others where the state excels. Here's a look at the state's education ranking, including the number of people with bachelor's degrees and the high school graduation rate.
Bachelor's Degrees
Arkansas ranks low in the percentage of residents with bachelor's degrees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 22.4% of Arkansans age 25 or older have a four-year college degree, compared with 31.3% of all Americans. This puts Arkansas in 49th place among all states.
High School Graduation Rate
Arkansas' high school graduation rate is closer to the national average. In 2016, 86% of Arkansans age 25 or older had at least a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate, compared with 87.5% of all Americans. This puts Arkansas in 42nd place among all states.
Other Factors
Other factors that contribute to Arkansas' education ranking include:
Areas of Excellence
Despite these challenges, Arkansas has some areas of excellence in education. The University of Arkansas is ranked in the top 2% of research universities in the nation by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The state also has some high-performing high schools, such as Haas Hall Academy in Fayetteville.
