Background Hypertension is a major global health concern. While education level has been associated with hypertension diagnosis, the relationship is complex and potentially influenced by factors such as family income and health insurance coverage. This study aimed to explore these associations using nationally representative data. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2017-March 2020 NHANES survey, focusing on US adults aged >35 years. Education level was self-reported in 5 categories, and hypertension status was based on previous diagnoses. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata Software version 18, employing chi-square tests with a significance level of 0.05. Results Among participants with hypertension (46.96%), only 20.93% had a college degree or higher. Of those with health insurance (87.28%), 26.96% had a college degree or higher. In the subset with family income-to-poverty ratio >1 (82.52%), 46.30% reported hypertension. These findings suggest a complex interplay between education, hypertension, and socioeconomic factors. Conclusion This study revealed significant associations between education level, hypertension diagnosis, and socioeconomic factors. The findings highlight the potential roles of income and health insurance as confounders or effect modifiers in this relationship. Further research is needed to elucidate these complex interactions and inform targeted public health interventions.