Illinois Educational Attainment and Per Gender for Ages 25 years and Above in 2021 (ACS-5Yrs)

Updated on August 19, 2025.

Based on the US Census ACS-5Yrs estimates, in 2021, among the 8,764,878 Illinois population aged 25 years and above, 885.32K of them (10.10%) had an education level of Less than High School Diploma; and 2.23M of them (25.40%) had an education level of High School Graduate or Equivalent.

The first chart and table below shows the population and percentages of the Illinois population aged 25 years and above by educational attainment.

You can find the educational attainment information about the Illinois male and female population below.

You can see similar information for other states and for the United States.

Percentage of Illinois Population 25 years and above By Educational Attainment in 2021
Less HS Dipl.
HS Grad. or Equiv.
Some Coll. or AA
Bachelors+
Educational Attainment For Illinois Population Aged 25 years and above in 2021
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Educational Level Population Percent (%)
Less than High School Diploma 885321 10.10
High School Graduate or Equivalent 2226182 25.40
Some College or Associates Degree 2483806 28.34
Bachelors or Higher 3169569 36.16

Male Population

Among the 4,262,102 Illinois male population aged 25 years and above, 460.17K of them (10.80%) had an education level of Less than High School Diploma; and 1.13M of them (26.59%) had an education level of High School Graduate or Equivalent.

The chart and table below shows the population and percentages of the Illinois male population aged 25 years and above by educational attainment.

Percentage of Illinois Male Population 25 years and above By Educational Attainment in 2021
Less HS Dipl.
HS Grad. or Equiv.
Some Coll. or AA
Bachelors+
Educational Attainment For Illinois Male Pop. Aged 25 years and above in 2021
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Educational Level Population Percent (%)
Less than High School Diploma 460172 10.80
High School Graduate or Equivalent 1133246 26.59
Some College or Associates Degree 1172109 27.50
Bachelors or Higher 1496575 35.11

Female Population

Among the 4,502,776 Illinois female population aged 25 years and above, 425.15K of them (9.44%) had an education level of Less than High School Diploma; and 1.09M of them (24.27%) had an education level of High School Graduate or Equivalent.

The chart and table below shows the population and percentages of the Illinois female population aged 25 years and above by educational attainment.

Percentage of Illinois Female Population 25 years and above By Educational Attainment in 2021
Less HS Dipl.
HS Grad. or Equiv.
Some Coll. or AA
Bachelors+
Educational Attainment For Illinois Female Pop. Aged 25 years and above in 2021
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Educational Level Population Percent (%)
Less than High School Diploma 425149 9.44
High School Graduate or Equivalent 1092936 24.27
Some College or Associates Degree 1311697 29.13
Bachelors or Higher 1672994 37.16