US Presidents Ranked by Education Level

Most presidents of the United States received a college education, even most of the earliest. Of the first seven presidents, five were college graduates. College degrees have set the presidents apart from the general population, and presidents have held degrees even though it was quite rare and unnecessary for practicing most occupations, including law. Of the forty-five individuals to have been the president, twenty-four of them graduated from a private undergraduate college, nine graduated from a public undergraduate college, and twelve held no degree. Every president since 1953 has had a bachelor's degree, reflecting the increasing importance of higher education in the United States.

Educational Attainment of U.S. Presidents:

S Tier (Doctorate Degree):
The 28th President Woodrow Wilson is the most educated President in United States history. Wilson is the only President to have earned a Ph.D. According to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, he earned his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University in 1886. At Johns Hopkins, Wilson studied history and political science and notably wrote a thorough analysis of the United States constitution. As of the 2018 U.S. Census, 2% of Americans aged 25 or over had attained a doctorate.

A Tier (Advanced Degree):
Eight presidents have received an advanced degree in their lifetimes. Seven of them earned an advanced Law Degree, and George W. Bush earned an M.B.A.

B Tier (Posthumous Advanced Degree):
Both former presidents with the last name Roosevelt attended but did not graduate from Columbia Law School. According to Mary Johnson and Erin St. John Kelly of Columbia University, on October 9, 2008, both were awarded posthumous J.D. degrees. Counting the Roosevelts, ten of the forty-four presidents have received an advanced degree. As of the 2018 U.S. Census, 13% of Americans aged 25 or over have earned some form of an advanced degree.

C Tier (College Graduate):
Twenty-Two presidents fall into this tier, making this level of educational attainment the most common among presidents. This category includes presidents ranging from the 2nd President John Adams to the 45th President Donald Trump.

D Tier (High school degree or equivalent):
Ten presidents find themselves in this category, including the 1st President George Washington. The only President to start a term after 1900 that falls in this category is Harry Truman, which reflects the increasing importance of educational attainment in the United States.

F Tier (Little formal education):
Two presidents had little formal education at all, and they served back to back. Andrew Johnson was Abraham Lincoln’s vice president and took over for Lincoln after his assassination in 1865. Both men were self-educated for the most part, and Lincoln was a successful lawyer before he entered politics. As of the 2018 U.S. Census, over 10% of Americans over the age of 25 did not have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Disclaimer:
I do not own the photos. They were found by internet search and were edited to make them all the same size. Photos were compiled for educational purposes.

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[thecitizen]

Woodrow Wilson completed the side quests while Lincoln focused on the main story

[Grandmaster_Dragonborn]

Lincoln: Lower level - Considered one of the best presidents.
Wilson: Highest level - Considered one of the worst presidents.

[ChrischiTutorialLPs]

It should be noted, with this tier list, that up until the 50s, a high school degree was considered a full education. It was only after the launch of Sputnik that the US began thinking they were falling behind technologically, and a college diploma, previously reserved for high end fields, became the standard.

[PremierCCGuyMMXVI]

Lincoln: low education, extremely good president

[BloggerMusicMan]

This list is a bit misleading in some important ways. Abraham Lincoln was a lawyer, which today requires an advanced degree but in those days you could get through shadowing and experience. The actual qualifications of the people who didn't have formal education were plenty rigorous. The time period is important context.

[gamerdrummerdrew]

Wilson: I am the greatest president because of my PhD!

Lincoln: Hold my water.

[babypanda]

Lincoln was a lawyer. Though he didn't have much formal schooling, I'd wager that he got a good education by working as such.

[TimThomason]

There should probably be a tier between D and C for the "some college" group. Truman and Washington both attended college for some years after their high school equivalent, even though neither achieved a degree.

[goldenstatewarriors]

Education level does not equal ability

[pazvantechioru]

Abraham lincoln was educated. He didin't achieved a degree though due of the rough financial enviorenment. He had educated himself, that's how he became a lawyer and later a senator in the 1848-1852 legislation

[simonphamandcompany]

"I hate when people confuse education with intelligence, you can have a bachelor's degree and still be an idiot"

-Elon Musk

[reyk]

Teacher: If you don't study well, you won't become president.
Lincoln: bitch please

[blakemcnamara]

So Biden's more educated than Lincoln; that really says a lot about college education.

[TheRottengg]

Woodrow Wilson is my least favorite but congrats Wilson.

[kindlynrpb]

What more if Abe Lincoln reached at least college?

[gia_b]

Lincoln: Little to no education, one of the best presidents

Wilson: Doctorate Degree, one of the worst presidents

[giraffeman]

“People who brag about their IQs are losers.”

- Stephen Hawking

[garymorris]

Dwight Eisenhower also finished top in his class in the Army War College, among over two hundred officers.

[TylerMcNamer]

Wilson:

*"Class is in session, boys."*

[Captcook]

Proof you don’t need a college degree to be an exceptional president.