Principals’ highest degree earned: Percentage distribution of public K–12 school principals, by highest degree earned and state: 2020–21

State	Bachelor's degree or less		Master's degree	Education specialist or professional diploma¹		Doctorate or first professional degree
United States	2.0		61.9	25.0		11.0

Alabama	‡		45.4	37.2		17.4
Alaska	‡		74.8	20.0		‡
Arizona	6.1		71.4	15.7		6.8	!
Arkansas	‡		45.1	46.1		6.0	!
California	9.1		74.3	5.8		10.8

Colorado	‡		63.2	21.1		13.2
Connecticut	‡		13.0	73.0		14.0
Delaware	‡		72.3	10.5	!	15.8
District of Columbia	‡		62.6	13.1		24.3
Florida	‡		71.8	17.2		9.7

Georgia	‡		8.0	59.8		31.4
Hawaii	13.3	!	72.6	5.4	!	8.7	!
Idaho	‡		60.1	29.0		10.1	!
Illinois	1.9	!	69.8	19.2		9.1
Indiana	‡		71.1	25.0		3.9	!

Iowa	‡		66.9	26.6		6.4	!
Kansas	‡		72.9	16.4		10.7	!
Kentucky	‡		32.4	67.6		‡
Louisiana	‡		70.7	24.3		4.9	!
Maine	‡		63.0	26.9		10.1

Maryland	‡		77.4	10.9	!	11.7	!
Massachusetts	‡		51.3	34.5		14.3
Michigan	‡		68.7	20.2		9.0
Minnesota	‡		19.1	72.8		7.7
Mississippi	‡		54.8	28.2		16.9

Missouri	‡		20.1	56.0		23.0
Montana	13.8	!	73.2	9.2		3.8	!
Nebraska	‡		68.4	30.2		‡
Nevada	‡		75.8	17.4		6.8	!
New Hampshire	‡		58.0	38.5		‡

New Jersey	‡		77.8	14.1		8.2
New Mexico	‡		71.5	23.5		5.0	!
New York	‡		41.1	47.9		11.0
North Carolina	‡		64.5	16.4		19.1
North Dakota	5.8	!	73.2	14.6		6.4	!

Ohio	1.2	!	70.6	20.4		7.8
Oklahoma	‡		80.5	11.2	!	6.2	!
Oregon	‡		44.2	51.0		3.7	!
Pennsylvania	‡		56.4	22.5		21.1
Rhode Island	‡		67.6	19.2		13.2

South Carolina	‡		58.2	25.9		15.3
South Dakota	‡		53.4	28.8		17.8
Tennessee	‡		30.5	46.7		22.8
Texas	1.9		80.4	8.8		8.8
Utah	‡		76.0	19.0		3.6	!

Vermont	‡		63.9	26.5		9.6
Virginia	‡		61.8	21.8		15.9
Washington	‡		62.4	34.3		‡
West Virginia	‡		69.0	23.7		7.3	!
Wisconsin	‡		69.4	19.1		11.5
Wyoming	‡		73.3	17.1		9.6	!

! Interpret data with caution. The coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is between 30 percent and 50 percent (i.e., the standard error is at least 30 percent and less than 50 percent of the estimate).

‡ Reporting standards not met. Either there are too few cases for a reliable analysis, or the coefficient of variation (CV) for this estimate is 50 percent or greater (i.e., the standard error is 50 percent or more of the estimate).

¹At least 1 year beyond the master’s level.

NOTE: Data are weighted estimates of the population. Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Teacher and Principal Survey (NTPS), “Public School Principal Data File,” 2020–21.