The 5 states with the best schools in America — and the 5 with the worst

One of the most important things parents consider when deciding where to raise a child is the local school system. But the quality of public education can be drastically different state-to-state.

While some states invest heavily in education and see strong outcomes, others struggle with underfunding, overcrowded classrooms, and lower test scores. And it’s not just academics that matter: parents also care deeply about safety, access to resources, and overall student well-being.

To understand how each state stacks up, WalletHub set out to find the best and worst public school systems in the country. The analysis looked at a series of factors across two broad categories: quality and safety. It considered everything from the number of Blue Ribbon Schools per capita and median SAT and ACT scores to dropout rates, bullying incidents, and the prevalence of school shootings.

“Getting enough funding is essential for a productive school system, but simply having more money doesn’t guarantee success,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “How funds are applied also plays a big role in how good a school system is, as does the quality of educators, other professionals and the curriculum. In addition, schools need to focus not just on test scores but also on making sure that students feel safe, comfortable and cared for.”

Continue reading to see which states earned top marks — and which ones fell to the bottom of the list.

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New Hampshire ranked fifth overall, thanks to strong academic performance and solid safety scores.

It placed fourth in quality and fifteenth in safety, with students earning the fourth highest math and reading scores nationwide.

New Hampshire also tied for the second-best median ACT scores, and its favorable pupil-to-teacher ratio — the fourth lowest in the country — likely contributes to more individualized instruction and student support.

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Virginia ranked fourth overall in the nation, earning high marks in both quality and safety, showing a strong balance between academic achievement and a secure learning environment.

WalletHub highlighted several key strengths in Virginia’s school system, including student performance and access to quality resources. One standout factor: Virginia has the fifth lowest incidence of bullying in the country.

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With the seventh highest pupil-to-teacher ratio, New Jersey ranked 3rd best.

"When it comes to test results, New Jersey has the second-best reading test scores and fifth-best math scores for both fourth and eighth graders," WalletHub said.

The state "also has the second-highest share of students scoring at least a 3 on AP exams" and the"third-best share of public schools that rank in the top 700 nationwide, at around 8.6%," WalletHub said.

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Connecticut ranked second thanks in part to having the second-highest ACT scores.

"In addition, around 6.6% of Connecticut public schools are in the top 700 public schools nationwide, the sixth-highest percentage in the country," WalletHub said.

It also praised Connecticut for making "time in the classroom easier for both teachers and students with the eighth-best pupil-to-teacher ratio in the country."

Connecticut is helped by the fact it's one of the few states that requires regular school safety audits, WalletHub said. "Additionally, Connecticut has the lowest prevalence of illegal drugs on school property, the second-lowest youth incarceration rate and the sixth-lowest share of students who have carried any kind of weapon on school property," it added.

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Massachusetts claimed the top spot in WalletHub’s ranking, thanks to its consistently strong academic performance and relatively safe school environments. The state outperformed the rest of the country in core subjects, with the highest scores in fourth- and eighth-grade math and reading.

Beyond academics, Massachusetts also stood out for creating a safer atmosphere for students. According to WalletHub, the state has some of the lowest rates of school-based violence and drug availability.

It ranked fifth for the lowest percentage of students who reported being threatened or injured with a weapon, third for the fewest students involved in physical fights, and fourth for the lowest reported access to illegal drugs on school property.

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Oregon landed near the bottom of the list, ranking fifth worst overall due to a combination of low academic performance and safety concerns.

The state ranked 46th in quality and 43rd in safety, signaling widespread challenges in its public school system.

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Arizona has the fourth worst public school system in the country, according to WalletHub.

The state is tied for the highest dropout rate nationwide, has some of the lowest median ACT scores, and ranks dead last for its pupil-to-teacher ratio — meaning classrooms are often overcrowded and students may receive less individualized attention.

These factors, combined with limited educational resources, contribute to Arizona’s overall poor performance.

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Alaska has the third worst public schools in the country, according to WalletHub.

That's because the state has the highest bullying-incident rate in the country, the second lowest reading scores, and an abysmal dropout rate.

Alaska schools don't rank the lowest in terms of safety, but at 36th, the ranking was enough to push it higher up in the list.

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Oklahoma ranked second-to-last overall, reflecting deep challenges in its public school system.

The state is tied for the worst median ACT scores in the nation and has the fourth lowest reading scores, pointing to persistent struggles with academic achievement.

These low rankings suggest that many students in Oklahoma may not be receiving the support they need to succeed in core subjects.

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New Mexico came in last place overall, facing serious challenges across nearly every academic metric.

The state has the lowest reading and math test scores in the nation, is tied for the highest high school dropout rate, and holds the lowest median SAT scores.

These results point to widespread systemic issues that continue to hinder student success statewide.