These states excel in areas like higher education attainment, standardized test scores and low debt at college graduation.
Making the Grade
Education is known as the great equalizer. This impactful domain and all that it entails – from setting standards for what’s taught in the classroom to funneling funding for teachers, facilities and other resources – falls heavily under the jurisdiction of state and local governments.
And when it comes to graduation rates, test scores, tuition amounts and the like, some states pass with flying colors.
[ SEE: The 10 Richest States in the U.S. ]
U.S. News took stock of each state’s educational terrain as part of the 2025 Best States rankings, examining 10 metrics in two spheres: prekindergarten through 12th grade and higher education.
Metrics included in the analysis were:
- Preschool Enrollment
- College Readiness
- NAEP Reading Scores
- NAEP Math Scores
- High School Graduation Rate
- Debt at College Graduation
- College Tuition and Fees
- Educational Attainment
- 2-Year-College Graduation Rate
- 4-Year-College Graduation Rate
These are the 10 best states for education, according to this year’s Best States analysis. You can learn more about how states are assessed in our methodology.
NEXT:
10. Connecticut
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 3
- Higher Education Ranking: 48
- Overall Best States Ranking: 15
- Learn more about Connecticut.
9. Washington
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 31
- Higher Education Ranking: 3
- Overall Best States Ranking: 10
- Learn more about Washington.
8. South Dakota
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 20
- Higher Education Ranking: 6
- Overall Best States Ranking: 8
- Learn more about South Dakota.
7. Wisconsin
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 7
- Higher Education Ranking: 10
- Overall Best States Ranking: 17
- Learn more about Wisconsin.
6. Wyoming
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 14
- Higher Education Ranking: 2
- Overall Best States Ranking: 23
- Learn more about Wyoming.
5. Massachusetts
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 2
- Higher Education Ranking: 45
- Overall Best States Ranking: 9
- Learn more about Massachusetts.
4. Utah
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 5
- Higher Education Ranking: 7
- Overall Best States Ranking: 1
- Learn more about Utah.
3. Colorado
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 9
- Higher Education Ranking: 4
- Overall Best States Ranking: 11
- Learn more about Colorado.
2. Florida
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 22
- Higher Education Ranking: 1
- Overall Best States Ranking: 6
- Learn more about Florida.
1. New Jersey
- Pre-K-12 Ranking: 1
- Higher Education Ranking: 36
- Overall Best States Ranking: 19
- Learn more about New Jersey.
