The Best And Worst States For Education In 2025

Browse stats by country, state, or city. Sample topics: Peach Production, Cattle Population, Fishing Industry, Cotton Production Sample topics: Crime Rate, Gun Deaths, Serial Killers, Safest Cities, Drug Use, Human Trafficking Sample Topics: Beer/Wine Consumption, Least Racist, Halloween Traditions, Average Number of Sexual Partners Sample topics: Average Income, Big Mac Index, GDP/GNI, Cost of Living, Gas Prices, Income Tax Public education is funded in part by the federal government, but that doesn’t mean that it’s equal across all states, or even all school districts.

There’s a good reason that the local school system is a key concern for families when relocating. Differences in state education standards and laws, differences in funding, and differences in philosophy and focus can make school effectiveness vary widely. The latest study examines all fifty U.S. states (plus the District of Columbia) and ranks their education systems from best to worst. In order, from highest to lowest, the top-ten ranked states in the study are Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Indiana, Maryland, and New York. The northeastern United States clearly stands out for holding a large percentage of these highest rankings.

Wallet Hub ranked the schools in a scoring system built on several factors, including test scores (Massachusetts, for example, has the highest percentage of students who scored a three or better on an AP... Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Jersey led the nation in public school quality in 2025, according to a new analysis by personal finance website WalletHub. The study ranked all states and the District of Columbia across 32 metrics clustered into two main categories: "Quality" and "Safety." Among these were graduation and test scores, Advanced Placement (AP) exam performance, pupil-to-teacher... States were also assessed for their use of technology, effectiveness of digital learning plans, and instructor qualifications. Massachusetts ranked first in the nation overall, leading in all core subjects for fourth and eighth-grade test scores. High school students also excel, the report said, with the highest percentage scoring 3 (out of 5) or above on AP exams.

Additionally, Massachusetts schools are among the safest, the report found, with low rates of violence, physical fights, and drug availability on campus. Connecticut ranked second, with top ACT scores and a high concentration of public schools among the best nationwide. It also has the third-highest share of students scoring 3 or above on AP exams and one of the best pupil-to-teacher ratios. In terms of safety, Connecticut excels with mandatory school safety audits, the lowest rate of illegal drugs on campus, the second-lowest youth incarceration rate, and one of the lowest rates of students carrying weapons... New Jersey ranked third nationally for its school systems, supported by a strong digital learning plan and a favorable pupil-to-teacher ratio. It boasts the second-highest reading scores and fifth-best math scores for fourth and eighth graders, along with the second-largest share of students scoring 3 or higher on AP exams.

Additionally, about 8.6 percent of its public schools rank among the top 700 in the country, WalletHub said. Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial WriterJul 21, 2025 Securing a child’s academic success begins with choosing the right schools. But how can parents decide where to enroll their kids? Because children develop and learn at different rates, the ideal answer to that question varies based on each student’s needs. Those needs have become even more specialized in the face of significant inflation and economic uncertainty, which have strained family resources and affected students’ academic performance and well-being.

Unfortunately, most parents can’t afford to place their children in exclusive, private or preparatory schools that give their students greater individual attention. For the majority of U.S. families, public education is the only option. The quality of public school systems varies widely from state to state, though, and is often a question of funding. Public elementary and secondary education money usually flows from three sources: the federal, state and local governments. According to the U.S.

Department of Education, states contribute nearly as much as local governments, while the federal government supplies the smallest share. Some researchers have found that more resources — or taxes paid by residents — typically result in better school-system performance. Unlike other research that focuses primarily on academic outcomes or school finance, WalletHub’s analysis takes a more comprehensive approach. It accounts for performance, funding, safety, class size and instructor credentials. To determine the top-performing school systems in America, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 32 key metrics. Note: With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that state, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric...

The landscape of American education continues to evolve in 2025, with significant variations in educational quality, funding, and outcomes across different states. As families increasingly prioritize educational excellence when making relocation decisions, understanding which states offer the best educational opportunities has become more critical than ever. The evaluation of educational systems encompasses multiple factors including academic achievement scores, graduation rates, teacher quality, funding per student, and overall educational infrastructure. Recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and various educational research organizations reveals a complex picture of educational achievement across the United States in 2025. While some states consistently maintain their positions as educational leaders, others have made remarkable improvements in their educational systems. The top-performing states typically demonstrate strong commitment to education funding, innovative teaching methodologies, and comprehensive support systems for both students and educators, making them highly desirable destinations for families seeking quality education.

The educational landscape in 2025 presents both promising developments and ongoing challenges. Massachusetts continues to dominate educational rankings with its comprehensive approach to student achievement, while states like Connecticut and New Jersey maintain strong positions through sustained investment in educational infrastructure. The national trend shows increasing emphasis on STEM education, with significant growth in specialized programs designed to prepare students for future workforce demands. Analysis of the current data reveals that the best-performing states share common characteristics including higher per-student spending, lower student-teacher ratios, and robust support systems for educators. The $15,633 national average spending per student represents a significant investment, though disparities between states remain substantial. The concerning 2-point decline in NAEP reading scores highlights the ongoing impact of pandemic-related disruptions, while the teacher shortage crisis with 55,000 vacant positions continues to challenge educational systems nationwide.

These factors collectively influence state rankings and determine which locations offer the most advantageous educational environments for students. Massachusetts continues its educational dominance in 2025 with comprehensive excellence across all metrics. The state’s 73.14 overall score reflects sustained investment in teacher quality, with 89.7% of educators holding advanced degrees and average salaries of $77,804. Student achievement remains exceptional, with NAEP mathematics scores of 292 and reading scores of 281, both significantly above national averages. The state’s 147 STEM schools and 81.3% college enrollment rate demonstrate successful preparation for future careers. Massachusetts combines rigorous academic standards with innovative teaching methods, creating an educational environment that consistently produces high-achieving students ready for college and career success.

From local school board meetings to governors’ State of the State speeches to the Trump administration’s efforts at dismantling the Department of Education, a week rarely passes without major headlines — and heated debates... “Education is a very personal issue to parents,” said Shanon Taylor, a professor of special education at the University of Nevada, Reno. “It’s similar to how many people view politicians. A lot of people hold negative views of them, but will then say they like their own representatives. We hear that about schools; people say that education is poor, but their own kids’ school is good.” Evaluating schools and comparing districts can be overwhelming, especially if your family is planning a move across state lines.

To help you cut through the discourse and dig into the data, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team identified the best states for public education by analyzing data related to K-12 performance, school funding and resources,... Does your state land at the top of the class — or does it have a failing report card? Read on to find out. New York now ranks No. 1 for public education, overtaking Massachusetts, which led all states last year and dropped to No. 3.

Parenting Patch is a family-oriented website devoted to parenting news, viral parenting stories, education, and other topics related to raising a family. Public education is funded in part by the federal government, but that doesn’t mean that it’s equal across all states, or even all school districts. There’s a good reason that the local school system is a key concern for families when relocating. Differences in state education standards and laws, differences in funding, and differences in philosophy and focus can make school effectiveness vary widely. The latest study examines all fifty U.S. states (plus the District of Columbia) and ranks their education systems from best to worst.

In order, from highest to lowest, the top-ten ranked states in the study are Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Virginia, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Indiana, Maryland, and New York. With a staggering population of 51 million students seeking academic enhancement in public schools, it becomes vital to recognize the strengths and shortcomings of these institutions. Public schools, open to all students, regardless of their socio-economic status, disability, or past academic performance, play a quintessential role in shaping future generations. They provide a vital lifeline serving not just educational purposes, but also a source of sustenance through school meal programs for the underserved. FILE - Children listen to their teacher as they sit in a classroom. (Photo by MARTIN BUREAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Choosing a new place to live is a daunting task already, but when your kids’ education is added to the mix, it can be a lot of pressure. While many parents may want to pay for private or live in an area that can offer their kids the best education, that is not always accessible. For most families, public education is the only (but still good) option. The quality of public school systems varies widely from state to state. WalletHub ranked the states that had the best and least best schools.

People Also Search

• Public School Rankings by State 2025 - World Population Review
• Rankings: Education - States With the Best Education Systems
• The Best And Worst States For Education In 2025
• Map Shows States with the Best—and Worst—School Systems 2025
• States With the Best & Worst School Systems in 2025 - WalletHub
• Best States for Education in the US 2025 | Stats & Facts
• Best States for Public Education 2025 | ConsumerAffairs®
• The Best And Worst States For Education In 2025 - NewsBreak
• Public School Rankings By State 2025 - Data Pandas
• These are the best and worst states for education: Study