Central Valley cities rank at the bottom of a new national study on education levels, raising concerns about the region’s ability to attract high-earning professionals and high-tech industries.

WalletHub’s report placed Visalia last among 150 metro areas. Bakersfield ranked 147th, Modesto 146th, Fresno 145th, and Stockton 144th.

The study measured educational attainment, public school quality, and gaps across race and gender.

The top three most-educated metros: Ann Arbor, Michigan; Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Madison, Wisconsin.

Education Powers the Economy

Cities seek highly educated workers to fuel economic growth and tax revenue.

But college graduates often look for places that reward their investment — through higher salaries, better schools, and strong professional networks.

“Higher education doesn’t guarantee better financial opportunities, but it certainly correlates with it,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

With educated workers tending to marry and settle in communities with similar demographics, cities already lagging may fall further behind unless investments in education and quality of life improve.

The Power of a College Degree in Fresno

According to a GV Wire survey of Fresno area colleges and universities, the area produced 8,500 college graduates in 2025. Those graduates are expected to earn an average of $2.8 million each during their working careers, according to Georgetown University.

That computes to a collective $23.8 billion in earnings for the local college Class of 2025.

In comparison, high school graduates earn an average of $1.6 million over their working careers.

Read more at WalletHub.