The chart illustrates the changes in educational attainment levels among individuals in the United States over the three survey years of 2015, 2016 and 2023. The data depicts the proportions covering four educational levels namely high school, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.
Most strikingly, the percentage of people with a high school diploma as their highest qualification rose substantially over the period. It climbed from 60% in 2015 to around 65% in 2019, and then to 70% in 2023, solidifying its position as the most common educational attainment. Meanwhile, the proportion of bachelor’s degree holders also experienced a steady rise, growing from 20% in 2015 to 30% in 2023.
Master’s degree holders saw marginal fluctuations, experiencing an initial dip before a subsequent recovery, ultimately settling at around 1% by 2023. In contrast, the trajectory for doctorates rose to a peak in 2019 before falling back to its original 2015 level of approximately 5%, and it remained below 10% throughout the period.
Overall, the chart highlights a clear societal shift toward higher educational attainment in the US over the eight-year period. The most striking trends were the pronounced growth in both high school and bachelor’s degree holders, alongside more subtle fluctuations in graduate-level qualifications.