Demographics
Alabama vs California: Advanced Degree
California has a higher advanced-degree share than Alabama.
National Rankings
Where They Rank Nationally
See where both states fall among all 50 states for advanced degree.
Alabama
#38 · 11.3%
California
#14 · 14.7%
Lowest
Highest
Top 10 States — Advanced Degree
#1
Massachusetts
22.4%
Massachusetts
#2
Maryland
21.3%
Maryland
#3
Connecticut
19.8%
Connecticut
#4
Vermont
18.5%
Vermont
#5
Virginia
18.5%
Virginia
#6
Colorado
18.1%
Colorado
#7
New York
18.1%
New York
#8
New Jersey
17.5%
New Jersey
#9
New Hampshire
16.2%
New Hampshire
#10
Washington
16.1%
Washington
Selected states
#38
Alabama
11.3%
Alabama
#14
California
14.7%
California
Alabama ranks 38th and California ranks 14th nationally for advanced degree.
Related context
Advanced Education & Economic Outcomes
Graduate and professional degree holders typically earn more and face lower unemployment.
What this means
Alabama vs California: Advanced Degree in context
California's advanced degree is 14.7%, compared with 11.3% in Alabama, a gap of 30.1%. Adults age 25+ with a graduate or professional degree (ACS 2023).
Alabama
11.3%
California
14.7%
Difference
3.40 percentage points
People also ask
Alabama vs California Advanced Degree — common questions
QWhat is Alabama's advanced degree?
Alabama's advanced degree is 11.3%.
QWhat is California's advanced degree?
California's advanced degree is 14.7%.
QWhich state has a higher advanced degree — Alabama or California?
California has a higher advanced-degree share than Alabama.
QHow much more advanced degree does California have compared to Alabama?
3.40 percentage points.
More comparisons: Alabama vs California
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Data source and freshness
Primary source
Data period
ACS 2023 estimates
Dataset reviewed
July 23, 2026
Method note
State values or ratios calculated from ACS fields.