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How Delaware’s job market for those without college degrees compares to other states

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How Delaware’s job market for those without college degrees compares to other states

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College isn’t for everyone, and a college degree doesn’t always determine success.  

In some locations, many factors aside from education level contribute to how comfortably people can live and work without going to college. And according to a new study, Delawareans without degrees fare pretty well.  

Top states for employment opportunities without a college degree 

University of Technology Sydney Online, an online university, ranked each state from best to worst for people without a college degree. Rankings are based on the cumulative score of the following five key factors: 

  • Median salary for high school graduates, weighted at 25%
  • Unemployment rate, weighted at 20%
  • Cost of living, weighted at 20%
  • Job growth rate, weighted at 20%
  • Opportunities for small businesses, weighted at 15%

UTS Online found that high school graduation rates rose from 85% to 89% in the past decade while college enrollment rates dropped from 39% to 41%, making it more common for working adults to not hold degrees in their fields.  

Based on the study, Delaware is the 23rd best state for jobs without a college degree with a total score of 51.32.  

The First State ranks No. 16 for unemployment rate, No. 31 for cost of living, No. 43 for job growth rate, No. 15 for median salaries for high school graduates and No. 14 for small business environment index. 

The top 10 best states for job opportunities without a college degree 

  • Texas at No. 1 with a total score of 68.64
  • North Dakota at No. 2 with a total score of 66.99 
  • New Hampshire at No. 3 with a total score of 66.18  
  • South Dakota at No. 4 with a total score of 63.42
  • Minnesota at No. 5 with a total score of 62.75
  • Wyoming at No. 6 with a total score of 62.22 
  • Vermont at No. 7 with a total score of 61.33  
  • Massachusetts at No. 8 with a total score of 60.63
  • Utah at No. 9 with a total score of 59.89. 
  • Maryland at No. 10 with a total score of 59.78 

ICYMI: High-paying jobs you don’t need a college degree for, most in-demand jobs in Delaware

Top 10 worst states for job opportunities without a college degree 

  • New Mexico at No. 50 overall with a total score of 30.60
  • Louisiana at No. 49 overall with a total score of 34.54 
  • West Virginia at No. 48 overall with a total score of 34.59 
  • Kentucky at No. 47 overall with a total score of 36.55
  • Hawaii at No. 46 overall with a total score of 37.47  
  • Mississippi at No. 45 overall with a total score of 38.11  
  • Arkansas at No. 44 overall with a total score of 39.59  
  • South Carolina at No. 43 overall with a total score of 40.62  
  • Nevada at No. 42 overall with a total score of 42.85
  • Oregon at No. 41 overall with a total score of 44.13  

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.     

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