Educational attainment is a key indicator of labor force quality and earning potential. The percent of persons with a college degree for the labor force is 17.5%. Only 10% of the labor force does not have a high school diploma. The attainment levels are above those for all of rural Missouri. The largest gap between the Region and the State is for college educated adults with Parkland lagging the Missouri standard by nearly 15 percentage points.

Mineral Area College, located in St. Francois County, provides post-secondary education to most of the Parkland REDI region. In 201 there were 4,528 full time equivalent students enrolled at the college and 692 associate degree graduates. Of greater interest are graduates in career and technical programs that are more likely to search for jobs in the Parkland region. Graduates in most of those programs outnumber the regional openings for graduates except for General Business and Commerce and Electricians.

From elementary schools to community colleges, the Parkland region boasts many strong educational institutions within the area. This includes the public and private K-12 schools, Career and Technology Centers, and Mineral Area College. Given the region’s close proximity to both the St. Louis metro area and Cape Girardeau, residents are also within a short drive to numerous universities and other education opportunities. This educational infrastructure means the area has a well educated and trained labor force that is able to meet the needs of a broad array of prospective businesses. The willingness of the local educational institutions to work or partner with local businesses means the area also has the flexibility to adapt to changes in the economy which lead companies to shift focus or introduce new technologies into their workflow.