US school rankings 2025: Massachusetts claims top spot for best public education system, check complete list here
2025 US school rankings:
The 2025 US school rankings, released by WalletHub, identify Massachusetts as having the best public education system in the country. The rankings evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 32 key metrics spanning school quality, safety, funding, class size, and instructor credentials.
Massachusetts secured the highest overall score, leading the nation in multiple academic and safety indicators.
WalletHub's comprehensive analysis examined a range of factors including test scores, Advanced Placement (AP) exam success, school safety, and pupil-to-teacher ratios. The data shows significant variation in the quality of public education across the US, with some states consistently outperforming others in both academic achievement and school environment.
Massachusetts leads with top academic and safety performance
Massachusetts earned the highest marks in overall quality and safety, ranking first and second respectively in these categories. According to the WalletHub report, Massachusetts students achieved top scores in core academic subjects such as fourth and eighth-grade math and reading. At the high school level, Massachusetts had the highest proportion of students scoring 3 or higher on AP exams, which measure college-level proficiency.
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Safety is another critical area where Massachusetts excelled. The state reported the fifth-lowest percentage of students threatened or injured with weapons on school grounds, the third-lowest share of students involved in physical fights, and the fourth-lowest rate of illegal drug availability on campus. Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, emphasized the importance of both funding and how it is applied, saying, 'Getting enough funding is essential for a productive school system, but simply having more money doesn't guarantee success.
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,' as reported by WalletHub.
Connecticut and New Jersey rank closely behind
Connecticut took the second spot in the overall rankings and earned the second-best ACT scores nationally. The state also has 6.6% of its public schools ranked among the top 700 nationwide, the sixth-highest percentage in the country.
Connecticut maintains one of the best pupil-to-teacher ratios, ranking eighth in the nation, which contributes to a better classroom environment.
In terms of safety, Connecticut stands out for strict auditing practices and low rates of drug availability and weapon carrying on school property. The state is among only 17 that require regular audits of school safety. WalletHub noted Connecticut's efforts in maintaining a safe and effective learning environment as significant factors in its ranking.
New Jersey ranked third overall, supported by strong reading and math test scores among fourth and eighth graders. The state holds the second-highest share of students scoring 3 or better on AP exams and has 8.6% of its public schools in the top 700 nationwide. New Jersey also emphasizes technology integration, boasting a dedicated digital learning plan to enhance education.
Overview of the top 10 states with the best public school systems
Rank
State
Total Score
Quality Rank
Safety Rank
1
Massachusetts
74.34
1
2
2
Connecticut
67.47
2
6
3
New Jersey
63.81
3
21
4
Virginia
61.32
6
5
5
New Hampshire
61
4
15
6
Wisconsin
60
5
17
7
Rhode Island
59
8
8
8
Indiana
59
9
12
9
Maryland
59
16
4
10
New York
58
7
20
Check complete list
here
Performance gaps and test score highlights
The WalletHub report also highlighted the disparities between states.
For example, California, which ranks among the highest in pupil-to-teacher ratios, scored near the top in ACT scores alongside Connecticut and the District of Columbia. Conversely, states like Oklahoma and Arizona rank near the bottom on multiple metrics.
Median SAT and ACT scores highlight disparities
Median SAT score (highest)
Median SAT score (lowest)
1. Iowa
47. Delaware
T-2. Kansas
48. Florida
T-2. Wyoming
49. West Virginia
4. North Dakota
50. District of Columbia
T-5. Nebraska
51. New Mexico
T-5. Utah
-
Median ACT score (highest)
Median ACT score (lowest)
T-1. California
T-44. Louisiana
T-1. Connecticut
T-44. Mississippi
T-1. District of Columbia
T-44. North Carolina
T-4. Massachusetts
T-49. Arizona
T-4. New Hampshire
T-49. Nevada
T-49. Oklahoma
-
The median SAT scores show a similar divide, with Iowa, Kansas, and Wyoming ranking highest, while Delaware, Florida, and West Virginia fall near the bottom.
The report emphasizes the wide gap between the best and worst performing states, noting a twofold difference in school system quality between California (top) and Oklahoma (lowest), according to WalletHub's analysis.
School safety rankings reveal stark contrasts
State
Safety Rank
Weapon carrying rank
Drug availability rank
Youth incarceration rank
Massachusetts
2
6
4
10
Connecticut
6
2
1
2
New Jersey
21
15
10
18
Oklahoma
50
50
48
51
Methodology and data sources
WalletHub's rankings are based on a weighted average of 32 metrics categorized into quality and safety dimensions. These include academic performance, funding sources, class size, teacher credentials, and safety indicators such as the prevalence of weapons, drug availability, and youth incarceration rates related to school incidents.
Funding sources for public education are typically a combination of federal, state, and local government contributions. The report notes that state funding nearly matches local funding levels, with the federal government providing the smallest share. WalletHub's analysis underscores that while funding is essential, the effective application of resources is crucial for a successful public school system.
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