Labor force participation is highest for those with a 4-year college degree: Prime-Age labor force participation rates by educational attainment

Education level Labor force participation rate
Advanced degree 73%
Bachelor’s degree 73%
Some college 63%
High school 59%
Less than high school 41%
Economic Policy Institute

Source: EPI’s State of Working America Data Library (EPI 2025), using CPS data from the BLS. 

View the underlying data on epi.org.