New York is one of the most populous and diverse states in the United States, with a rich history and culture. It is also home to some of the most prestigious and renowned educational institutions in the world, such as Columbia University, Cornell University, and New York University. However, not all parts of the state have the same level of educational attainment and opportunity.

According to a recent study by 24/7 Wall St., a financial news and analysis website, the least educated city in New York is the Watertown-Fort Drum metro area. The study analyzed the 150 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the United States, using 11 key metrics such as the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher, the quality of public schools, and the gender education gap.

The study found that in the Watertown-Fort Drum metro area, located in northern New York near the Canadian border, only 22.4% of the adult population have a bachelor’s degree, the smallest share of any metro area in the state. This is well below the national average of 32.1% and the state average of 36.8%. The metro area also ranks low in other indicators of educational quality and attainment, such as the high school graduation rate, the college readiness of students, and the median earnings of workers.

What are the factors behind the low education level?

One of the possible factors behind the low education level in the Watertown-Fort Drum metro area is the presence of the Fort Drum military base, which is the largest employer in the region. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 18.4% of the metro area’s population are veterans, compared to 6.1% nationally. Many of these veterans may not have pursued higher education after their military service, or may have faced challenges in accessing or completing college programs.

Another factor may be the lack of economic opportunities and incentives for higher education in the region. The Watertown-Fort Drum metro area has a low median household income of $54,475, compared to $67,844 for the state and $62,843 for the nation. The metro area also has a high poverty rate of 14.4%, compared to 13.6% for the state and 12.3% for the nation. These economic conditions may discourage or prevent some residents from pursuing or affording higher education, or may force them to seek employment in low-skill, low-wage sectors.

What are the implications and challenges of the low education level?

The low education level in the Watertown-Fort Drum metro area may have negative implications and challenges for the social and economic well-being of the region and its residents. For instance, research has shown that higher education is associated with better health outcomes, lower crime rates, higher civic engagement, and greater social mobility. Conversely, lower education is linked to poorer health, higher crime, lower civic participation, and less social mobility.

Moreover, the low education level may limit the economic potential and competitiveness of the region, especially in the face of rapid technological changes and globalization. Higher education is often a prerequisite for accessing high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand occupations and industries, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Lower education, on the other hand, may confine workers to low-skill, low-wage, and low-demand sectors, such as retail, hospitality, and agriculture. These sectors are more vulnerable to automation, outsourcing, and economic downturns.

How can the education level be improved?

Improving the education level in the Watertown-Fort Drum metro area may require a comprehensive and collaborative approach that involves multiple stakeholders, such as educators, policymakers, employers, community organizations, and residents. Some of the possible strategies and initiatives that could be implemented or expanded include:

• Providing more financial aid, scholarships, grants, and loans to help students afford higher education, especially those from low-income or underrepresented backgrounds.
• Offering more academic support, mentoring, counseling, and career guidance to help students succeed in higher education, especially those who are first-generation, non-traditional, or at-risk of dropping out.
• Creating more flexible and accessible modes of higher education delivery, such as online, hybrid, or accelerated programs, to accommodate the needs and preferences of different learners, especially those who are working, parenting, or serving in the military.
• Developing more partnerships and pathways between higher education institutions and employers, such as apprenticeships, internships, co-ops, and dual-enrollment programs, to provide students with relevant skills, experiences, and credentials for the labor market.
• Enhancing the quality and diversity of higher education programs and curricula, especially in STEM fields, to meet the current and future demands of the economy and society.
• Promoting a culture of lifelong learning and professional development among workers and employers, such as through continuing education, certification, or retraining programs, to help them adapt to the changing needs and opportunities of the workplace.

Conclusion

The Watertown-Fort Drum metro area is the least educated city in New York, according to a recent study by 24/7 Wall St. The metro area has a low percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and ranks low in other measures of educational quality and attainment. The low education level may have adverse effects on the social and economic well-being of the region and its residents, and may pose challenges for the future. Improving the education level may require a comprehensive and collaborative approach that involves multiple stakeholders, and may entail various strategies and initiatives that aim to increase the access, affordability, success, relevance, and quality of higher education in the region.