Discover Which Six California Cities Rank Lowest in Education Across the US

California is renowned for its stunning vistas, sandy shores, and perfect climate. However, a recent study indicates that it also hosts the city with the lowest level of education in the nation.

According to a report from Wallethub, Visalia, which is prominently known as the “Gateway to the Sequoias,” ranks as the least educated city in America.

Alongside Visalia, five other Californian cities—Bakersfield, Modesto, Salinas, Fresno, and Stockton—also appear on this list. Out of the ten cities with the lowest education levels, six are situated in California.

The study placed Visalia at the very bottom at No. 150, with Bakersfield following at No. 147, Modesto at No. 146, Salinas at No. 145, Fresno at No. 144, and Stockton at No. 143.

This assessment evaluated 150 of the country’s largest cities based on several criteria, including the proportion of residents aged 25 and up who possess at least a bachelor’s degree, the quality of local public schools, and the breadth of the education gap between genders.

Bakersfield and Visalia are among the bottom five cities, with the lowest percentage of residents with high school diplomas and adults with college experience. The two cities have the least percentage of people who hold a bachelor’s degree.

In contrast, the San Jose metro area was ranked as the third-most educated in the country. San Jose boasts a population where over 50% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, the region maintains a third-place ranking for the quality of its universities among metropolitan areas.

Michigan’s Ann Arbor metro area ranked as the most educated in the country. Over 96% of adults above 25 years of age have at least a high school diploma, nearly 59% have a bachelor’s degree and nearly 32% having an advanced degree, all of which are among the highest rates in the country.

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