Education
How is Education Progressing in San Joaquin County?
36.3%
Of graduates complete UC/CSU required courses in San Joaquin County, which is much lower than California’s rate of 53.9%.
34.3%
Third grade English language arts/literacy proficiency in San Joaquin County in 2024-25 is lower than California’s rate of 44.2%.
37.0%
Third grade mathematics proficiency in San Joaquin County in 2024-25 is lower than California’s rate of 46.3%.
Education
School Enrollment of 3-4 Year Olds
Early childhood education is crucial for cognitive and social development. In San Joaquin County, 36.3% of children aged 3 to 4 were enrolled in school in 2023, which was significantly below the national average of 45.6%. This suggests that a significant portion of young children in the county may be missing out on early learning opportunities that can set the foundation for future academic success.
36.3%
of 3-4 year olds in San Joaquin County were enrolled in school in 2023, compared to 45.6% at a national level.
Third Grade Reading Proficiency
Reading proficiency by third grade is a key predictor of future academic performance. In the county, 34.3% of third graders met or exceeded English language arts/literacy proficiency standards in 2024-25, indicating that nearly two-thirds of students may require additional support to achieve literacy milestones.
34.3%
of third graders in San Joaquin County were proficient in English language arts/literacy in 2024-25, compared to 44.2% statewide.
Third Grade Math Proficiency
Early math skills are foundational for later academic achievement. 37.0% of third graders in San Joaquin County demonstrated proficiency in math in 2024-25, suggesting that a significant majority of students may need enhanced instructional support to build essential numeracy skills.
37.0%
of third graders in San Joaquin County were proficient in math in 2024-25, compared to 46.3% statewide.
Eleventh Grade Math Proficiency
Proficiency in math by eleventh grade is critical for college readiness and career opportunities. In the county, 23.8% of eleventh graders met or exceeded math proficiency standards in 2024-25, which continues to reflect a need for targeted interventions to improve upper-grade math achievement.
23.8%
of eleventh graders were proficient in math in 2024-25, compared to 30.5% statewide.
Public High School Graduation Rates based on 4 Year Cohort
The 4-year cohort graduation rate reflects the percentage of students who graduate within four years of starting ninth grade. San Joaquin County’s 4-year cohort graduation rate was 87.2% in 2024-25, close to the statewide rate of 87.5% and up from 82.3% in 2022-23.
87.2%
San Joaquin County public high school graduation rate within 4 years in 2024-25, close to the statewide average of 87.5%.
High School Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Examining graduation rates by race and ethnicity reveals disparities among student groups. Whereas 93.6% of Filipino students in San Joaquin County graduated in 2024-25, 79.0% of Black/African American students did during this same time period. These differences underscore the importance of culturally responsive support systems to ensure equitable educational outcomes.
14.6 points
percentage-point gap in graduation rates by race and ethnicity in San Joaquin County in 2024-25, ranging from 79.0% to 93.6%.
College Readiness of Graduates
This measure tracks the share of high school graduates who completed the A-G coursework required for UC/CSU admission. In San Joaquin County in the 2024-25 school year, 36.3% of high school graduates completed this required coursework, suggesting that more than half may need additional coursework to meet UC/CSU eligibility requirements.
36.3%
of San Joaquin County high school graduates completed UC/CSU required coursework in the 2024-25 school year, compared to 53.9% statewide.
Median Earnings by Education Level (2024)
Educational attainment plays a significant role in economic outcomes, with a great deal of inequality between people with differing levels of educational attainment. In San Joaquin County, much like California and the US as a whole, higher levels of education are correlated with higher median earnings. In 2024, for example, individuals with a graduate or professional degree earned a median of $97,226, compared to $33,391 for those without a high school diploma — 65.7% lower. Also reflective of significant inequality, the median earnings of Californians with graduate or professional degrees was $110,398, compared to $97,226 in San Joaquin County (11.9% less).
$33,391 compared to $73,723
A bachelor’s degree more than doubles median earnings in San Joaquin County compared to not completing high school ($33,391 compared to $73,723—an over 120% increase).
Enrollment over the years
Enrollment at higher education institutions in San Joaquin County has shown mixed trends in recent years. The University of the Pacific’s total enrollment across its three campuses grew from 6,128 in 2016 to 6,755 in 2023 (an approximately 10.2% increase), with the Stockton campus accounting for the largest share of students (about 72%). California State University, Stanislaus, saw an approximately 35.5% decline in fall enrollment (headcount) at its Stockton campus, from 332 “Stockton Only” students in 2019 to 214 in 2023. Still, “Stockton and Turlock” students increased nearly 14.5% from 605 to 692 during this same time period. Thus, total enrollment (headcount) at the Stockton campus declined about 3.3% from 937 in 2019 to 906 in 2023. San Joaquin Delta College experienced fluctuations in enrollment (fall headcount) from 2016 to 2023, with a peak of 32,569 students in the fall of 2023, an approximately 10.7% increase from 29,418 in 2016.
91.6%
The University of the Pacific’s Sacramento campus saw a 91.6% increase in enrollment between 2016 and 2023, growing from 593 to 1,136 students, which likely reflects increased enrollments due to program development.