2026 E-Insights Report

Educational Attainment After High School (Age 18-24)

  • Tampa Bay’s share of young adults continuing education after high school climbed from about 35% in 2013 to nearly 49% in 2024, reflecting growing college enrollment and stronger retention into two- and four-year programs.
  • Raleigh-Durham, San Diego, Minneapolis, and Austin lead the group, reaching roughly 52–57% in 2024; these metros benefit from dense university networks, higher household educational attainment, and strong local economies that attract students pursuing advanced education.
  • Phoenix, Houston, San Antonio, and Jacksonville consistently fall on the lower end, generally in the mid-40% range in 2024, driven by larger early-employment pathways, more tradefocused labor markets, and historically lower college progression among young adults.
Bar Graph

Trend Over Time

Trend Over Time Line Graph

Competitive Position Trend

Competitive Position Trend Line Graph

This indicator measures the share of young adults aged 18–24 in each metropolitan area who continue their education beyond high school, including those enrolled in some college, associate degree programs, or pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates, Table S1501: Educational Attainment, 2013–2024.