Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Ranking
All 50 states ranked for public school quality using test scores, graduation rates, class sizes, and more. Data from 114,000+ schools.
Which states have the best public schools? It depends on what you measure. A state can lead in test scores but lag in class sizes. It can have high graduation rates but low proficiency.
We ranked all 50 states and Washington, D.C. using data from 114,968 public schools across multiple dimensions: academic proficiency (math and reading test scores), student-teacher ratios, graduation rates, and total enrollment. Rather than collapsing everything into a single number, we show you how each state performs across every metric so you can weigh what matters most to your family.
How We Ranked the States
Our ranking uses a weighted composite of four metrics, all sourced from federal NCES data and state-reported test scores in School Scout’s database:
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Academic Proficiency (50% of score): Average percentage of students scoring proficient or above in math and English Language Arts (ELA), the most direct measure of whether students are meeting grade-level standards.
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Student-Teacher Ratio (20% of score): Lower is better. Reflects how well-staffed schools are, which research shows matters most in early grades.
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Graduation Rate (20% of score): Four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate, the standard federal measure.
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School Coverage (10% of score): Number of schools with complete data, as a quality signal. States with more comprehensive reporting provide more reliable averages.
We excluded U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, CNMI) from the main ranking due to incomplete data coverage.
The Top 10 States for Public Schools
1. Virginia
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 70.1% | #1 |
| ELA Proficiency | 71.8% | #1 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 13.4:1 | #26 |
| Graduation Rate | 88.4% | — |
| Schools Analyzed | 2,519 | — |
Virginia tops the list with the highest average proficiency in both math and reading among all states in our database. At 70.1% math proficiency and 71.8% ELA proficiency, Virginia’s students outperform every other state by a significant margin. The student-teacher ratio is middle-of-the-pack at 13.4:1, but the academic results speak for themselves.
2. Maine
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 66.1% | #3 |
| ELA Proficiency | 74.4% | #1 (ELA) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 10.4:1 | #1 |
| Graduation Rate | 80.7% | — |
| Schools Analyzed | 661 | — |
Maine combines the nation’s best student-teacher ratio (10.4:1) with elite reading scores. At 74.4% ELA proficiency, Maine students are the strongest readers in the country. The lower graduation rate (80.7%) is the only blemish, but Maine’s small, well-staffed schools consistently produce strong academic outcomes.
3. Iowa
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 66.4% | #2 |
| ELA Proficiency | 68.1% | #3 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 14.4:1 | #31 |
| Graduation Rate | 91.7% | — |
| Schools Analyzed | 1,471 | — |
Iowa is a quiet powerhouse. The second-highest math proficiency in the country (66.4%), the third-highest ELA proficiency (68.1%), and a graduation rate above 91%. The student-teacher ratio is slightly below the national average at 14.4:1, but Iowa’s schools punch well above their weight given modest per-pupil spending.
4. Ohio
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 53.2% | #4 |
| ELA Proficiency | 57.5% | #4 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 16.7:1 | #43 |
| Graduation Rate | 83.5% | — |
| Schools Analyzed | 4,414 | — |
Ohio ranks fourth overall despite a high student-teacher ratio (16.7:1). The state’s academic performance, with more than half of students hitting proficiency in both subjects, is strong for a large state with 4,400+ schools. Ohio shows that teacher quality and curriculum can partially compensate for larger class sizes.
5. Florida
| Metric | Value | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 53.0% | #5 |
| ELA Proficiency | 51.2% | #8 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 16.9:1 | #45 |
| Graduation Rate | 87.1% | — |
| Schools Analyzed | 5,663 | — |
Florida’s education reforms over the past two decades show up in the data. With 5,663 schools and a diverse student population, Florida achieves above-average proficiency rates and a strong 87.1% graduation rate. The student-teacher ratio (16.9:1) is high, but Florida’s school choice ecosystem, including charter schools and magnet programs, gives families options within the system.
6-10: The Next Five
| Rank | State | Math Prof. | ELA Prof. | STR | Grad Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | New York | 47.1% | 56.8% | 11.3:1 | 85.3% |
| 7 | Washington | 47.3% | 55.9% | 16.8:1 | 70.0% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 42.2% | 52.8% | 10.6:1 | 83.3% |
| 9 | Connecticut | 42.1% | 52.9% | 11.5:1 | 88.7% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 49.2% | 53.6% | 11.2:1 | 76.6% |
New York and New Hampshire benefit from excellent student-teacher ratios (11.3:1 and 10.6:1 respectively). Connecticut combines strong ELA scores with the best graduation rate in the top 10 at 88.7%. Wyoming’s small schools and low ratios push it into the top 10 despite a lower graduation rate.
The Complete Rankings: All 50 States + D.C.
We combined each state’s math proficiency, ELA proficiency, student-teacher ratio (inverted, so lower is better), and graduation rate into a composite score. Here’s every state, ranked.
Tier 1: Above Average Across All Metrics (Ranks 1-15)
| Rank | State | Avg. Proficiency | STR | Grad Rate | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia | 71.0% | 13.4:1 | 88.4% | 2,519 |
| 2 | Maine | 70.3% | 10.4:1 | 80.7% | 661 |
| 3 | Iowa | 67.3% | 14.4:1 | 91.7% | 1,471 |
| 4 | Ohio | 55.4% | 16.7:1 | 83.5% | 4,414 |
| 5 | Florida | 52.1% | 16.9:1 | 87.1% | 5,663 |
| 6 | New York | 52.0% | 11.3:1 | 85.3% | 5,912 |
| 7 | Washington | 51.6% | 16.8:1 | 70.0% | 2,730 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 47.5% | 10.6:1 | 83.3% | 635 |
| 9 | Connecticut | 47.5% | 11.5:1 | 88.7% | 1,248 |
| 10 | Wyoming | 51.4% | 11.2:1 | 76.6% | 363 |
| 11 | North Carolina | 50.1% | 14.4:1 | 84.7% | 3,217 |
| 12 | Nebraska | 49.4% | 13.2:1 | 86.0% | 1,172 |
| 13 | South Dakota | 46.9% | 13.4:1 | 77.9% | 745 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 46.8% | 13.1:1 | 87.6% | 4,450 |
| 15 | South Carolina | 45.2% | 13.0:1 | 84.8% | 1,483 |
Tier 2: Mixed Strengths (Ranks 16-30)
| Rank | State | Avg. Proficiency | STR | Grad Rate | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Idaho | 46.0% | 16.4:1 | 81.3% | 879 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | 45.6% | 11.0:1 | 88.1% | 2,315 |
| 18 | Minnesota | 45.3% | 14.4:1 | 82.5% | 2,564 |
| 19 | Louisiana | 44.4% | 14.9:1 | 77.3% | 1,572 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 44.6% | 14.3:1 | 85.8% | 2,859 |
| 21 | New Jersey | 44.1% | 11.0:1 | 88.8% | 3,253 |
| 22 | Hawaii | 43.4% | 13.3:1 | 82.5% | 400 |
| 23 | Utah | 43.0% | 20.9:1 | 83.9% | 1,158 |
| 24 | Indiana | 42.0% | 15.1:1 | 82.3% | 2,429 |
| 25 | Texas | 42.0% | 13.8:1 | 94.0% | 10,020 |
| 26 | North Dakota | 41.8% | 12.0:1 | 84.9% | 535 |
| 27 | Oregon | 41.3% | 17.0:1 | 77.2% | 1,501 |
| 28 | Missouri | 40.3% | 12.3:1 | 88.5% | 2,784 |
| 29 | Montana | 40.3% | 12.0:1 | 84.1% | 923 |
| 30 | Vermont | 39.7% | 10.6:1 | 82.2% | 378 |
Surprises in Tier 2:
- Massachusetts (#17) has the best student-teacher ratio of any large state (11.0:1) and the highest graduation rate in the country for a state its size (88.1%). But its proficiency scores land in the mid-40s, pulling down the composite.
- Texas (#25) has the highest graduation rate of any state at 94.0% and a respectable 13.8:1 ratio, but proficiency scores of 42% keep it in the middle of the pack.
- New Jersey (#21) mirrors Massachusetts: excellent class sizes (11.0:1) and graduation rates (88.8%), but moderate proficiency scores.
Tier 3: Below Average in Key Metrics (Ranks 31-40)
| Rank | State | Avg. Proficiency | STR | Grad Rate | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | California | 39.8% | 19.4:1 | 84.5% | 12,316 |
| 32 | Kentucky | 39.5% | 14.7:1 | 87.9% | 1,638 |
| 33 | Arkansas | 38.8% | 13.1:1 | 85.2% | 1,166 |
| 34 | Michigan | 37.7% | 17.1:1 | 79.2% | 3,842 |
| 35 | Mississippi | 37.6% | 13.2:1 | 83.3% | 1,023 |
| 36 | Georgia | 36.9% | 13.2:1 | 81.2% | 2,914 |
| 37 | West Virginia | 36.7% | 12.6:1 | 91.1% | 733 |
| 38 | Colorado | 36.9% | 16.0:1 | 80.5% | 2,141 |
| 39 | Arizona | 36.5% | 16.4:1 | 77.6% | 1,770 |
| 40 | Alabama | 36.0% | 16.1:1 | 85.6% | 1,620 |
California’s challenge: The nation’s largest school system (12,316 schools) combines below-average proficiency (39.8%) with the third-worst student-teacher ratio (19.4:1). The state’s sheer size means these averages affect more students than any other state’s numbers.
West Virginia’s paradox: The second-highest graduation rate in the country (91.1%) paired with below-average proficiency (36.7%). High completion rates don’t always mean high achievement.
Tier 4: Significant Challenges (Ranks 41-51)
| Rank | State | Avg. Proficiency | STR | Grad Rate | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Delaware | 36.0% | 13.3:1 | 85.8% | 296 |
| 42 | Nevada | 35.7% | 22.8:1 | 74.5% | 796 |
| 43 | Tennessee | 33.3% | 15.4:1 | 87.4% | 2,226 |
| 44 | Maryland | 33.2% | 12.8:1 | 85.2% | 1,891 |
| 45 | Rhode Island | 33.2% | 12.8:1 | 84.3% | 389 |
| 46 | Kansas | 32.8% | 13.6:1 | 85.5% | 1,448 |
| 47 | Alaska | 29.8% | 19.0:1 | 73.7% | 508 |
| 48 | New Mexico | 29.5% | 14.3:1 | 69.5% | 1,026 |
| 49 | Illinois | 27.9% | 13.4:1 | 85.3% | 4,778 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | 26.4% | 15.7:1 | 83.4% | 1,892 |
| 51 | Washington, D.C. | 25.9% | 10.8:1 | 71.3% | 302 |
The bottom five: Nevada combines the worst student-teacher ratio in the country (22.8:1) with a low graduation rate (74.5%). New Mexico has the lowest graduation rate of any state (69.5%). D.C. has the best student-teacher ratio of any jurisdiction (10.8:1) but the worst proficiency scores (25.9%), showing that small classes alone don’t determine outcomes.
What These Rankings Don’t Tell You
State averages are useful for big-picture comparisons, but they have real limitations:
1. Test score comparisons across states are imperfect. Each state sets its own proficiency standards. A “proficient” student in Virginia may face a different bar than a “proficient” student in Mississippi. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides cross-state comparisons with a common standard, but NAEP doesn’t test every school.
2. Averages mask enormous within-state variation. The best school in Oklahoma may outperform the worst school in Virginia. State rankings tell you about the overall system, not about the specific school your child will attend.
3. Demographics and poverty matter. States with higher poverty rates face structural challenges that affect school performance. A state ranking low in proficiency may have schools that are doing remarkable work given their circumstances.
4. These are public schools only. States with large private school systems (like many Northeastern states) may see their public school numbers affected by selection effects.
How to Use These Rankings
If you’re considering a move, state rankings are a starting point. They tell you about the general educational environment, funding priorities, and systemic quality. But your child will attend one specific school, not a state average.
Here’s the practical workflow:
- Start here: Use this ranking to understand the state-level landscape
- Go deeper: Visit the state page to see how districts and cities compare within your target state
- Get specific: Look at individual school profiles to find the right match for your child
- Compare: Use our ratings to compare 2-3 finalist schools side by side
Every state has excellent schools. Even states at the bottom of this ranking have pockets of exceptional education. The data helps you know where to look.
Methodology
Data sources: All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and state-reported standardized test scores, as compiled in School Scout’s database of 114,968 public schools.
Composite ranking formula:
- Academic proficiency (average of math and ELA % proficient): 50%
- Student-teacher ratio (inverted scale, lower ratio = higher score): 20%
- 4-year graduation rate: 20%
- Data completeness (% of schools with full reporting): 10%
Exclusions: U.S. territories excluded due to incomplete federal reporting. Schools flagged as “insufficient data” in our rankings are excluded from state averages.
Update schedule: This ranking will be updated annually as new NCES data becomes available. Bookmark this page to see how your state trends over time.
Explore every state: Browse all 50 state profiles →
Data source: NCES Common Core of Data and state test score databases via MySchoolScout. Based on 2023-24 school year data, the most recent available. Last updated March 2026.
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