All 50 U.S. States and Where Their Education Ranks

Would you agree that the U.S.A. is quite large? 50 states make up this great body of land and although they are all part of the same red, white, and blue cloth, they have many differences. Their education system is no exception. In some states, people hold degrees by numbers while others have barely managed to earn a high school diploma. 

To our surprise and maybe yours too, West Virginia ranks second worst in education. Teachers and students both face various challenges in this state. Educational professionals receive some of the worst salaries and can’t afford to make ends meet. Their struggle and stress make for some really struggling students as well.

Beyond the state’s budget issues, Some of the challenges are due to social factors such as high rates of poverty and drug abuse. West Virginia ranks last in the number of both Bachelor’s Degree Holders and Associate’s Degree Holders or College-Experienced Adults. The scores of students in both reading and math also appear to be consistently dropping. 

If someone asked you to guess what state was ranked the least educated would you have guessed right? Mississippi may be most known as that one state where no one can remember how many of each letter it includes or in what order. If you spell it out loud, a challenge in itself, it almost sounds like a cheer.

Despite Mississippi natives being proud of the state that they reside in, remembering all those letters is hard! The fact that they rank as the second highest state in teen pregnancies may have something to do with the lack of education in  Mississippi.

Louisiana comes in at number 48th on this list. Not only is it ranked low in education but it is considered one of the most dangerous places to go to school. Not something you want to be top-ranked in, for sure. 

Louisiana is also home to New Orleans, a notorious party town filled with drunks after the sun goes down. We’re not sure if that contributes to the danger, but it probably doesn’t set the best example for kids growing up in the state.

There are several U.S. states that are ranked surprisingly low on this list and the reasons for this low education rankings are varied quite considerably. Some may be because of safety, some may be because teachers aren’t being paid enough, or something else entirely, like opportunities or low income. 

Arkansas’s most famous education-related event was the Little Rock Nine, which involved the first African American students to attend Little Rock’s Central High School.
Three years before, after the Supreme Court ruled against segregation in Brown v. The Board of Education, Little Rock’s school board volunteered to desegregate its schools.

It was the best and worst of times as the line goes. Education matters in Alabama have progressed for the worse. This state is ranked as of the present number 46th in the worst education.

Despite its poor education stats, this state did make the good side of history at some point. Alabama was at the center of the Civil War and is a state with a complicated history. In 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. marched thousands of activists approximately 50 miles from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, after police continued to block them.

Oklahoma isn’t the best place if you’re looking to get a good education. This state lacks funding and an even lower graduation rate from both high school and university.

Issues like a high dropout rate, a poor student-teacher ratio, and plummeting standardized test scores all affect the education system in Oklahoma. Many people believe that both the quality of educators and resources need to be improved.

As the song goes, “started from the bottom now we’re here.” This is the first state that kicks off the bottom ten of this list. This state used to be among the last but although it is a slow journey to progress things seem to be looking up.

As of 2023, The Nevada Department of Education has something to celebrate. They achieved the biggest education budget for grades K-12 in Nevada’s state history. Nevada’s youth might finally have a brighter future after the budget allocated nearly $12 billion in education spending.

Unlike the other low-ranked states on our list, Kentucky does not have as big of a par in education in comparison to various societies within the state. Men and women and different ethnicities have an overall similar level of education.

Kentucky recently experienced some new changes to education laws, but rather than improving the knowledge of students, it seems like we’re going backward in time.

The state of New Mexico does not only rank low in the education department but also in many other areas as well, such as healthcare.

In the “Land of Enchantment,” Bill 130 was recently passed, increasing public school learning time to 1,140 hours. The move was made in response to COVID-19 and the learning struggles of kids who can’t maintain focus.

When it comes to the quality of education, Texas is rather ranked fairly high, however they are ranked low on this list because in comparision to other states people just aren’t attending school.

While education access is an issue in this state with many rural locations, so is safety. In more recent times, new school safety laws are being prioritized, like House Bill 3, which requires public schools in Texas to have armed officers and mental health training services for staff members.

Although Tennessee has a high graduation rate, their education is ranked lower than many other states. It is the case for the simple and sad fact that many children drop out before high school.

Tennessee lawmakers have begun to reject huge amounts of money in federal education funds – almost $1.9 billion to be exact. Since the state isn’t exactly in dire states with finances, it really shows you where Tennessee’s priorities are.

South Carolina being ranked 39 may not seem like much but considering where they started, they should be proud of themselves. We sure are! They used to be ranked low all across the board, education included but they’ve made some positive changes to their systems.

The tourism industry in South Carolina has blossomed into an East Coast vacation destination with hotspots such as Myrtle Beach and Charleston. But beyond the budget-friendly beaches, desirable golf courses, and warm weather, some uniquely positive changes to education have been made.

Apparently, Indiana offers a pretty good education overall, high school included although their early childhood education is lacking. This state is not ranked as the worst, they are comfortably in the middle but we don’t think they should get too comfortable.

Indiana has come under fire for unfair labor practice allegations and anger toward school board members. When the teachers union attempted to bargain over pay, they decided to ban the president from the classroom and disinvite reps from back-to-school events.

Arizona may be ranked somewhere in the middle but looks can be deceiving. This state actually has some of the lowest graduation rates in the country. At the end of the day, this issue comes down to something as simple as language or lack there of. We condone Arizona for being very diverse, one of the most in the U.S. but with this amazing feat comes different challenges. These challenges are indeed language barriers. Children who don’t have strong English at home make it harder for them to communicate and learn.

Arizona is the only state that has actually has an English-only education law in place. This racist, decades-old law prevents bilingual education, which is especially problematic given the state’s diverse population and the fact that students already deal with language barrier issues.

Budget cuts are a real struggle. Where a State cuts its budget can set the tone for its entire trajectory and Idaho is no exception. Idaho cut its education budget and it definitely shows in this state negatively. If you’re thinking of getting a good education, you may have second thoughts about Idaho and you’d be right.

Despite putting aside barely any funding, Governor Brad Little is attempting to make a $115 million K-12 budget cut. Educators across Iowa are concerned about this funding shortfall and not getting the money they were initially promised.

This may get confusing, so we’ll break it down. In South Dakota, there is a considerably large amount of residents with a college degree perhaps more than a lot of States. How are they still ranked 35 you ask? Great question!

The South Dakota public school system (k-12) operates within 169 school districts. There is approximately one teacher to every 14 students and the state had an on-time graduate rate of 84% from 2018-2019.

We love progress, don’t you? Ohio although not the strongest educated State has progressed two places up in rank than where they were previously. Moving your way up the education system is no easy feat. Every bit of progress counts!

Despite Ohio being the underdog of education in the US, they still have a long way to go. In Ohio, the 1970 Kent State University shootings took place, where multiple students were killed and wounded by the Ohio National Guard during anti-Vietnam War protests.

Missouri’s education system ranks pretty decently in the middle of this list. It’s like they say, not too cold but not too hot, just right. What they do have in their favor is it is the best State when it comes to education affordability and overall satisfaction among students.

Missouri doesn’t have the best education in the country, but it doesn’t have the worst. As we mentioned, teachers aren’t the happiest in this state. More specifically, a lot of educators find that they feel both under-supported and undervalued.

Although Georgia doesn’t rank particularly high or low on this list we need to give them props for their school’s safety. On an even more positive note the gap between low-income areas when it comes to getting a quality education is closing.

Georgia has a rich history and musical scene, and things might also be looking up for their educational landscape. High schools in Georgia have begun to make marginal gains, except for the class of 2021.

Iowa is considered to have a quality curriculum when it comes to its education system. Their teachers are trained thoroughly and prepared to tackle the learning system.

Although the state is certainly home to some of the best educators, something shocking has been going on. Iowa’s Republican-controlled Legislator has decided to remove hundreds of books nationwide from school libraries.

The state of Pennsylvania has an impressive high school graduation rate and many of these studious students go on to earn a BA, Masters or higher. The average 25-year-old plus has at least a high school diploma or above.

Pennsylvania’s future of education might shine even brighter as lawmakers in the state try to figure out a new funding formula.

Even though Alaskan residents get a quality education, they are ranked 29 for the reason that this state has some of the biggest achievement gaps in the entire country.

To encourage more indigenous or Alaska Native teachers in the Anchorage School District, a new cultural program has been launched. This program aims to support Alaska Native high school students and guide them to different possible careers in education via workshops and trainings based on Indigenous practices and knowledge.

California is considered a leader in many matters. When it comes to economy and population it has most states beat. California has one of the strongest economies, perhaps of all the states. When it comes to education though their education isn’t as leading as it would like it to be.

Although California is one of the most liberal states in the US and one of the most financially stable, the home to Hollywood is still not as high up on this list as they would’ve hoped.

In the 2022-23 school year, state-wide attendance rates improved by nearly 2%. Still, Michigan needs to step up for their special needs students. There is a major shortage of special education teachers, and part of this is due to the immense amount of paperwork and data collection involved.

This State gives its residents various opportunities to advance within the system and education is no different. They offer many growth opportunities when it comes to both professional and personal endeavors.

North Carolina is significantly better ranked in education than their neighbor, South Carolina. A lot of their funds come from the North Carolina Education Lottery, which was started in 2005.

Kansas has a decently high graduation rate. The overall number of college attendees in Kansas has increased over the years and many students attend traditional public schools across the state.

Besides being cheap to live and a great place to raise your kids who are of school age, it’s also home to some of the best barbecue in the country.

Wyoming may be one of the less talked about and memorable states among the 50 but when it comes to education, they should be put in the spotlight more.

Wyoming is a breathtaking place to get an education, with its gorgeous mountain sceneries and Western vistas. If you can handle the cold, that is.

The state of North Dakota has the biggest proportion of people with a high school diploma, equivalent (GED) or higher. When examining this state’s high school test scores alone, more students took college entry examinations such as the SAT or the ACT than any other.

North Dakota’s High School Grade rate is a whopping 93%, which is the second highest of states in that area. Their dropout rate is also the second lowest compared to neighboring states in the same geographic area.

The state of Nebraska has one of the strongest public education systems in the country. Most students earn a higher education and have competitive test scores overall in both mathematics and reading comprehension.

The Cornhusker State is driven by livestock, ethanol, and of course, corn. As of 2022, students in Nebraska scored among the best in the United States in national reading and math assessments.

The state of Florida has 67 school districts, one for each county, independent from each respective county. The different districts claim property tax within their respective jurisdictions to support their set budgets. Additionally, this state has countless private schools by the hundreds.

Although this beautiful state is controversial for a bevy of other reasons, there are plenty of opportunities for students and they consistently come out on top for education ratings.

Wisconsin is an interesting bag of tricks. This state is reported to rank high in education systems when it comes to grades kindergarten through twelfth grade, but there are other factors that reveal that students in Wisconsin fall behind in other areas.

Despite impressive numbers overall, charter and private school students appear to outperform their public school peers in the Badger State, so looking at demographics is key here.

We hate to say it Montana, but it seems you’re simply average, especially in public education. Reading and Math levels are more or less at the 50% mark. They have several high-performing school districts that balance them out on this list.

Montana spends less than the national average for what states spend on education per pupil. While they come in lower for local revenue per pupil, they scored fifth in the nation for federal revenue per pupil.

When it comes to Maine, they have a 94% high school graduation rate or higher. This is considered as of current, the second-highest percentage of graduates at the high school level within the greater region that Maine is a part of.

Stephen King’s hometown also scores quite high in school finance, earning a B average. They offer a ratio of 12 students per teacher, as opposed to the national average of 16 to one, which indicates more attention to students in the classroom.

When you think of Hawaii, your first thought might be beaches and volcanos and not education, but they are raising the tide here too. Their schooling will give you are run for your money. Yet another reason to travel to Hawaii and fantasize about staying.

Despite the tragic Maui fires, Hawaii is still the champ in the most beautiful places to live and the best place to get an education. There is only one school district here to avoid bureaucracy and funding challenges.

Illinois ranks fairly high on this list of educated states. The children residing in this country are put into early education and pre-kindergarten at a considerably young age so that may have something to do with it. This state catches them early and it impacts their level of success and studying, we have no doubts.

This highly educated state has begun to reduce the number of suspensions and exclusionary discipline in schools, which will allow students to remain in the classroom.

Oregon is ranked so high on this list because it truly has a strong education system and schools for the reason that countless big-name high-tech companies call this state home. These companies catch the eye of particularly educated people and the rest is history.

Despite the college stats looking great, public school performance in elementary and middle school says something different. A lot of this has to do with setbacks that occurred during the pandemic.

New York residents are some of the most educated in the country but it is no surprise. They do have some of the highest-rated universities in the country so it makes sense.

Despite having some of the most intelligent students in the United States, kids certainly grow up fast in the Big Apple. They’re exposed to more than their suburban counterparts, so way more temptations exist to threaten their grades.

Delaware has a surprisingly small budget when it comes to education, but they are still ranked rather high. They are in the top 20 states for highest education.

Delaware’s #1 school district is the Appoquinimink School District in Odessa, Delaware. They have an overall grade of A+ and are the only public school system that offers six different languages and college credit.

Rhode Island historically has more teacher absences than any other state and yet they are still on the up and up. They continue to have proficient learning and literacy rates throughout.

Between 2002 and 2020, Rhode Island K-12 education funding was increased by 31%, which is a testament to its ongoing tradition of fantastic public education.

Washington is considered one of the happiest states in the U.S.A. so it makes sense that they are also ranked high when it comes to education. They rank the highest in adults who have a degree and a high, high school graduation rate.

Pupils in Washington State are provided for and prioritized regardless of sex, race, or color. Funding has expanded a lot in the past few years, and Washington remains at the top of its neighboring states when it comes to state spending.

This Beehive State is one of the most educated states around. Although famous for its great hikes and views, another great thing to know about this state is that it ranks 3rd highest in university quality and 2nd highest in adults with degrees.

Not only is Utah incredibly educated, but it comes out on top with health care, economy, infrastructure and more. Combined with the awe-inspiring natural beauty, this state truly gives people an exquisite quality of life.

Although Minnesota is considered one of the poorer states, they are on top when it comes to their education. How, you ask? They prioritize it! As a result of this prioritization, they are highly ranked and aren’t letting their finances get in the way of their education system.

Although it has room to improve in its disappointing structural racism and racial disparities, Minnesota’s rep for a solid public education is solid. They consistently come out on top of national rankings for factors like education quality and school safety.

Great education and the smallest educational attainment gaps, should be New Hampshire’s new slogan. It’s true, through and through although their education quality can use a bit of work. Not everyone is perfect but as long as they are willing to work on it they are headed for great things.

While New Hampshire education is stellar for those educated, there are questions about whether it’s the most teacher-friendly state. Sadly, it has work to do in this area.

Virginia is on the up and up when it comes to education. This state is taking matters into its own hands and it seems to be working. Virginia has some of the highest test scores and the wealthiest. We think it’s safe to say there is a correlation between them.

Virginia consistently outperforms the average regarding grade levels and subject areas, and they always score prominently in the U.S. Department of Education’s National Assessment of Educational Progress.

New Jersey, also known as the Garden State, has crept its way to the top, becoming the cream of the crop. Although they have some extreme education gaps when it comes to different races, they have some strong things to offer.

Despite not being as famous as NYC, The Big Apple’s neighbor, The Garden State, ranks even higher in education. Despite the fact that issues exist with racial disparity, the commitment, creativity, and experience of public school employees are why this state is flourishing.

Colorado is ranked in the top 5 for a reason. They have some of the most wonderful school systems, not to mention beautiful scenery encapsulated in mountains and nature.

Beyond the stunning natural landscape, Colorado boasts some impressive college stats. Colorado residents have the second-best college attainment rate in the U.S., and they keep improving. Over 60% of residents carry a bachelor’s, with the city of Boulder coming out on top.

Vermont is also considered one of the wealthiest states in the country, so it’s no wonder that it ranks so high. Where there is wealth there is usually a strong level of education because there is more money to invest.

Vermont’s graduation rate from 2012-2013 was 86.6%, which was the second highest among its peers nearby. They’re consistently on Top Ten education lists, but there are still concerns in other areas.

Connecticut has a high percentage of kids who are enrolled in school early on, this contributes largely to their highly rated ranking.

Connecticut’s education ranking has slipped slightly since COVID-19, but they’re still going strong in terms of quality of education. The 2018-2019 school year’s graduation rate was 89%.

Maryland, the land of the free, is known as “the free state” by many. They are ranked very high in most educational categories. Many people hold degrees and have attended higher education beyond high school. They are also considerably wealthy, like most states that excel and hold top spots on this list.

Coming in at #2, Maryland excels at everything from Math and Reading performance and proficiency to Graduation Rate and College Readiness, according to some prestigious education publications. They also provide students with the STEM skills that are becoming increasingly necessary in the working world.

Massachusetts ends this list, having the highest education out of all 50 states. With top universities that are highly coveted and highly regarded such as MIT and Harvard, how can you even be surprised? It makes perfect sense that these state natives take their education to the next level.

In the 70s and 80s, the state’s education wasn’t that impressive. But what changed, exactly? In the 90s, Massachusetts started to use a significant amount of state money towards districts where many low-income kids were being educated.