Information Required on the Percentage of US Military Personnel with College Degrees

Hello, I'm considering enlisting in the military after high school and was wondering about the educational backgrounds of personnel. Does anyone know roughly what percent of US military personnel have college degrees? Also, how does having a degree affect one's career progression within the military? Would appreciate any insight!

According to the Department of Defense, approximately 17.2% of enlisted military personnel hold an associate's degree or higher as of 2019. When we consider officers in the military, this percentage is significantly higher - nearly 83.4% of active-duty officers have at least a bachelor’s degree.

In relation to career progression, holding a degree can have notable benefits in the military. For instance, having a baccalaureate degree (or higher) is required to become an officer, which features better pay and increased leadership responsibilities compared to enlisted ranks. Even if you enlist with a degree and advance through the ranks that way, there are benefits: higher educational attainment can make enlisted service members more competitive for promotions and special assignments.

It's also interesting to note that many service members pursue education while serving. The military offers a range of educational benefits such as the GI Bill and tuition assistance programs that can cover a significant portion, if not all, of the costs associated with earning a degree.

Remember that your choice should align with your personal and career goals. If your aim is to climb the ranks or transition into a specialized position that requires a degree, pursuing higher education either before enlisting or while serving could be beneficial. Alternatively, if your immediate goal is acquiring specialized training or gaining leadership experience right out of high school, directly enlisting might be the best path for you.