Household Wealth by Education
The Federal Reserve's Distributional Financial Accounts estimate household net worth—assets minus liabilities—by the education of the household reference person. The estimates are published quarterly and reported in current dollars. The latest figures place 75.8% of aggregate wealth with college-graduate households and 24.2% with households whose reference person does not hold a college degree.
The shares describe how the nation's total wealth is divided, not the wealth of a typical family in each group. In 1989, college-graduate households held about 48.6% of aggregate wealth; their share has increased substantially since then.
This measure is worth tracking because wealth provides a financial cushion, supports retirement and homeownership, and can be passed between generations. Education is closely associated with earnings and wealth accumulation, but the dashboard shows an aggregate relationship—not proof that education alone caused the differences.
Quarterly Data
Household net worth by education
| College graduate | Some college | High school diploma | No high school diploma | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q2, latest quarter | 75.8% | 14.1% | 8.8% | 1.3% |
| 2026 Q1 | 75.5% | 14.3% | 8.9% | 1.3% |
| 2025 Q4 | 75.6% | 14.2% | 8.9% | 1.3% |
| 2025 Q3 | 75.4% | 14.2% | 9.0% | 1.3% |
| 2025 Q2 | 75.1% | 14.4% | 9.2% | 1.4% |
| 2025 Q1 | 74.9% | 14.5% | 9.2% | 1.4% |
| 2024 Q4 | 74.9% | 14.5% | 9.2% | 1.4% |
| 2024 Q3 | 74.7% | 14.6% | 9.3% | 1.4% |
| 2024 Q2 | 74.4% | 14.8% | 9.4% | 1.4% |
| 2024 Q1 | 74.3% | 14.9% | 9.3% | 1.4% |
| 2023 Q4 | 74.2% | 15.0% | 9.3% | 1.4% |
| 2023 Q3 | 73.9% | 15.1% | 9.5% | 1.5% |
| 2023 Q2 | 74.0% | 15.1% | 9.5% | 1.5% |
| 2023 Q1 | 73.9% | 15.2% | 9.5% | 1.5% |
| 2022 Q4 | 73.5% | 15.4% | 9.6% | 1.5% |
| 2022 Q3 | 73.2% | 15.5% | 9.7% | 1.6% |
| 2022 Q2 | 72.7% | 15.7% | 10.0% | 1.6% |
| 2022 Q1 | 72.9% | 15.7% | 9.9% | 1.5% |
| 2021 Q4 | 72.7% | 15.7% | 10.0% | 1.5% |
| 2021 Q3 | 72.4% | 15.9% | 10.2% | 1.6% |
| 2021 Q2 | 72.2% | 16.0% | 10.2% | 1.6% |
| 2021 Q1 | 71.9% | 16.1% | 10.3% | 1.6% |
| 2020 Q4 | 71.7% | 16.2% | 10.4% | 1.7% |
| 2020 Q3 | 71.1% | 16.4% | 10.6% | 1.8% |
| 2020 Q2 | 70.8% | 16.5% | 10.8% | 1.9% |
| 2020 Q1 | 70.3% | 16.7% | 11.0% | 2.0% |
| 2019 Q4 | 70.7% | 16.5% | 10.9% | 1.9% |
| 2019 Q3 | 70.4% | 16.5% | 11.0% | 2.0% |
| 2019 Q2 | 70.4% | 16.5% | 11.0% | 2.2% |
| 2019 Q1 | 70.4% | 16.4% | 10.9% | 2.3% |
| 2018 Q4 | 70.0% | 16.5% | 11.0% | 2.4% |
| 2018 Q3 | 70.3% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 2.5% |
| 2018 Q2 | 70.2% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 2.6% |
| 2018 Q1 | 70.1% | 16.2% | 10.9% | 2.8% |
| 2017 Q4 | 70.2% | 16.1% | 10.8% | 2.8% |
| 2017 Q3 | 70.0% | 16.1% | 10.9% | 3.0% |
| 2017 Q2 | 70.0% | 16.0% | 10.9% | 3.1% |
| 2017 Q1 | 69.9% | 15.9% | 11.0% | 3.2% |
| 2016 Q4 | 69.8% | 15.8% | 11.0% | 3.3% |
| 2016 Q3 | 69.7% | 15.7% | 11.2% | 3.4% |
| 2016 Q2 | 69.5% | 15.8% | 11.4% | 3.3% |
| 2016 Q1 | 69.3% | 15.8% | 11.6% | 3.3% |
| 2015 Q4 | 69.1% | 15.9% | 11.9% | 3.2% |
| 2015 Q3 | 68.8% | 15.9% | 12.2% | 3.1% |
| 2015 Q2 | 68.7% | 15.9% | 12.4% | 2.9% |
| 2015 Q1 | 68.5% | 15.9% | 12.7% | 2.8% |
| 2014 Q4 | 68.2% | 16.0% | 13.0% | 2.7% |
| 2014 Q3 | 67.9% | 16.1% | 13.3% | 2.6% |
| 2014 Q2 | 67.7% | 16.2% | 13.6% | 2.5% |
| 2014 Q1 | 67.4% | 16.3% | 13.9% | 2.4% |
| 2013 Q4 | 67.1% | 16.4% | 14.2% | 2.3% |
| 2013 Q3 | 66.9% | 16.5% | 14.4% | 2.2% |
| 2013 Q2 | 66.9% | 16.3% | 14.5% | 2.3% |
| 2013 Q1 | 67.0% | 16.2% | 14.6% | 2.3% |
| 2012 Q4 | 66.9% | 16.1% | 14.7% | 2.3% |
| 2012 Q3 | 67.2% | 15.9% | 14.7% | 2.3% |
| 2012 Q2 | 67.2% | 15.7% | 14.8% | 2.3% |
| 2012 Q1 | 67.2% | 15.6% | 14.9% | 2.3% |
| 2011 Q4 | 67.2% | 15.5% | 14.9% | 2.4% |
| 2011 Q3 | 67.1% | 15.4% | 15.0% | 2.5% |
| 2011 Q2 | 67.4% | 15.2% | 15.0% | 2.5% |
| 2011 Q1 | 67.4% | 15.1% | 15.0% | 2.5% |
| 2010 Q4 | 67.3% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 2.6% |
| 2010 Q3 | 67.0% | 15.0% | 15.3% | 2.6% |
| 2010 Q2 | 66.7% | 15.2% | 15.3% | 2.7% |
| 2010 Q1 | 66.6% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 2.8% |
| 2009 Q4 | 66.2% | 15.5% | 15.4% | 2.8% |
| 2009 Q3 | 65.9% | 15.7% | 15.5% | 2.9% |
| 2009 Q2 | 65.2% | 16.0% | 15.8% | 3.1% |
| 2009 Q1 | 64.6% | 16.3% | 15.9% | 3.2% |
| 2008 Q4 | 64.5% | 16.4% | 15.9% | 3.2% |
| 2008 Q3 | 64.7% | 16.3% | 15.9% | 3.1% |
| 2008 Q2 | 64.6% | 16.4% | 15.8% | 3.1% |
| 2008 Q1 | 64.4% | 16.6% | 15.9% | 3.2% |
| 2007 Q4 | 64.1% | 16.8% | 15.9% | 3.2% |
| 2007 Q3 | 63.9% | 17.0% | 15.9% | 3.2% |
| 2007 Q2 | 63.6% | 17.0% | 16.0% | 3.3% |
| 2007 Q1 | 63.5% | 17.1% | 16.0% | 3.4% |
| 2006 Q4 | 63.3% | 17.1% | 16.0% | 3.5% |
| 2006 Q3 | 63.2% | 17.2% | 16.0% | 3.7% |
| 2006 Q2 | 63.1% | 17.2% | 16.0% | 3.8% |
| 2006 Q1 | 63.2% | 17.1% | 15.8% | 3.8% |
| 2005 Q4 | 62.9% | 17.2% | 15.9% | 4.0% |
| 2005 Q3 | 62.9% | 17.2% | 15.8% | 4.1% |
| 2005 Q2 | 62.9% | 17.2% | 15.7% | 4.2% |
| 2005 Q1 | 62.8% | 17.1% | 15.7% | 4.4% |
| 2004 Q4 | 62.8% | 17.1% | 15.6% | 4.5% |
| 2004 Q3 | 62.4% | 17.2% | 15.8% | 4.6% |
| 2004 Q2 | 62.6% | 17.1% | 15.7% | 4.7% |
| 2004 Q1 | 62.6% | 17.0% | 15.6% | 4.7% |
| 2003 Q4 | 62.2% | 17.1% | 15.8% | 4.8% |
| 2003 Q3 | 61.8% | 17.2% | 16.0% | 5.0% |
| 2003 Q2 | 61.5% | 17.3% | 16.2% | 5.1% |
| 2003 Q1 | 60.9% | 17.4% | 16.4% | 5.2% |
| 2002 Q4 | 61.0% | 17.5% | 16.4% | 5.2% |
| 2002 Q3 | 60.6% | 17.5% | 16.6% | 5.3% |
| 2002 Q2 | 60.9% | 17.4% | 16.5% | 5.2% |
| 2002 Q1 | 61.0% | 17.4% | 16.4% | 5.2% |
| 2001 Q4 | 60.9% | 17.5% | 16.4% | 5.2% |
| 2001 Q3 | 60.4% | 17.7% | 16.7% | 5.2% |
| 2001 Q2 | 60.5% | 17.7% | 16.7% | 5.1% |
| 2001 Q1 | 60.0% | 17.9% | 16.9% | 5.2% |
| 2000 Q4 | 60.1% | 18.0% | 16.9% | 5.0% |
| 2000 Q3 | 60.1% | 18.0% | 17.0% | 4.9% |
| 2000 Q2 | 59.8% | 18.1% | 17.1% | 4.9% |
| 2000 Q1 | 59.8% | 18.2% | 17.2% | 4.8% |
| 1999 Q4 | 59.5% | 18.4% | 17.3% | 4.8% |
| 1999 Q3 | 58.6% | 18.8% | 17.7% | 4.9% |
| 1999 Q2 | 58.4% | 18.9% | 17.8% | 4.8% |
| 1999 Q1 | 57.8% | 19.2% | 18.1% | 4.9% |
| 1998 Q4 | 57.5% | 19.4% | 18.3% | 4.9% |
| 1998 Q3 | 56.5% | 19.8% | 18.7% | 5.1% |
| 1998 Q2 | 56.3% | 19.8% | 18.8% | 5.1% |
| 1998 Q1 | 55.9% | 19.9% | 19.0% | 5.3% |
| 1997 Q4 | 55.0% | 20.1% | 19.3% | 5.6% |
| 1997 Q3 | 54.4% | 20.2% | 19.6% | 5.8% |
| 1997 Q2 | 53.6% | 20.4% | 19.9% | 6.1% |
| 1997 Q1 | 52.7% | 20.6% | 20.3% | 6.5% |
| 1996 Q4 | 52.2% | 20.6% | 20.5% | 6.7% |
| 1996 Q3 | 51.5% | 20.7% | 20.8% | 7.0% |
| 1996 Q2 | 51.0% | 20.8% | 21.0% | 7.3% |
| 1996 Q1 | 50.5% | 20.7% | 21.2% | 7.5% |
| 1995 Q4 | 50.1% | 20.7% | 21.3% | 7.8% |
| 1995 Q3 | 49.5% | 20.7% | 21.6% | 8.1% |
| 1995 Q2 | 49.4% | 20.7% | 21.7% | 8.3% |
| 1995 Q1 | 49.3% | 20.7% | 21.6% | 8.3% |
| 1994 Q4 | 49.5% | 20.7% | 21.5% | 8.3% |
| 1994 Q3 | 49.7% | 20.6% | 21.3% | 8.3% |
| 1994 Q2 | 50.0% | 20.5% | 21.1% | 8.3% |
| 1994 Q1 | 50.5% | 20.4% | 20.9% | 8.2% |
| 1993 Q4 | 51.1% | 20.3% | 20.5% | 8.1% |
| 1993 Q3 | 51.3% | 20.2% | 20.3% | 8.1% |
| 1993 Q2 | 51.5% | 20.2% | 20.2% | 8.1% |
| 1993 Q1 | 51.9% | 20.1% | 20.0% | 8.1% |
| 1992 Q4 | 52.2% | 20.1% | 19.7% | 8.0% |
| 1992 Q3 | 52.2% | 20.1% | 19.7% | 8.1% |
| 1992 Q2 | 52.4% | 19.8% | 19.5% | 8.2% |
| 1992 Q1 | 52.9% | 19.5% | 19.3% | 8.3% |
| 1991 Q4 | 53.3% | 19.2% | 19.0% | 8.4% |
| 1991 Q3 | 53.0% | 19.2% | 19.1% | 8.7% |
| 1991 Q2 | 52.9% | 19.0% | 19.1% | 9.0% |
| 1991 Q1 | 52.8% | 18.8% | 19.1% | 9.3% |
| 1990 Q4 | 52.3% | 18.8% | 19.2% | 9.6% |
| 1990 Q3 | 51.6% | 18.8% | 19.5% | 10.1% |
| 1990 Q2 | 51.3% | 18.7% | 19.6% | 10.4% |
| 1990 Q1 | 50.6% | 18.8% | 19.9% | 10.7% |
| 1989 Q4 | 49.8% | 18.9% | 20.2% | 11.1% |
| 1989 Q3 | 48.6% | 19.2% | 20.6% | 11.6% |
Distribution of U.S. Wealth by Education
Each group's share of aggregate household net worth
Quarterly Federal Reserve estimates · Current dollars · Shares may not total exactly 100% because of rounding
College Graduates and No College Degree
Share of aggregate household net worth
No college degree combines some college, high school diploma, and no high school diploma
About this indicator & methodology
What is measured. Wealth is household net worth: the value of assets—including real estate, businesses, equities, pensions, and other assets—less liabilities. Dollar values are shown in current dollars and are aggregated across all households in each education group.
How the estimates are made. The Distributional Financial Accounts combine aggregate balance-sheet totals from the Financial Accounts of the United States with household-level distributional information from the Survey of Consumer Finances. The Federal Reserve interpolates between the triennial surveys and forecasts beyond the latest survey to produce quarterly estimates.
How to read the groups. Education is based on the household reference person and is grouped as college degree, some college, high school diploma, or no high school diploma. “No college degree” in the comparison chart combines the latter three categories. These are aggregate totals, not medians or estimates for a typical household.
Revisions. The Federal Reserve can revise the full history as new Financial Accounts and Survey of Consumer Finances information becomes available. This dashboard uses the release verified September 18, 2026, covering data through 2026 Q2.