Quality and attainment: 2023’s most—and least—educated states in America

In recent years, school districts have shifted the narrative from a one size fits all approach to education to providing students with an abundance of career edtech opportunities, while also helping them to understand that a college degree is an option too. College is not for everyone, and that’s okay.

Generally speaking, however, the higher level of education one receives, the greater their income potential becomes. Also, their chances of unemployment are lower. And according to a new WalletHub study, the correlation between an individual’s education levels and income/employment rates does in fact exist.

In their “2023’s Most & Least Educated States in America” report, all 50 states were compared across two key dimensions: educational attainment and quality of education. Each dimension has its own set of metrics they took into consideration as well. For example, educational attainment pertains to a state’s share of adults 25 and older with at least a high school diploma, some college experience, at least a bachelor’s degree, and at least a graduate or professional degree. Quality and attainment were measured using 14 metrics, for example, the quality of a state’s school system and blue ribbon schools per capita. According to the data, Massachusetts ranks no. 1 on both education attainment and quality of education.

Here’s a full look at the most—and least—educated states in the country for 2023:

1. Massachusetts: Educational Attainment (1), Quality of Education (1)
2. Maryland: Educational Attainment (4), Quality of Education (2)
3. Connecticut: Educational Attainment (6), Quality of Education (4)
4. Vermont: Educational Attainment (3), Quality of Education (15)
5. Colorado: Educational Attainment (2), Quality of Education (37)
6. New Jersey: Educational Attainment (10), Quality of Education (6)
7. Virginia: Educational Attainment (5), Quality of Education (16)
8. New Hampshire: Educational Attainment (7), Quality of Education (11)
9. Minnesota: Educational Attainment (8), Quality of Education (24)
10. Utah: Educational Attainment (11), Quality of Education (12)
11. Washington: Educational Attainment (9), Quality of Education (25)
12. Rhode Island: Educational Attainment (24), Quality of Education (5)
13. Delaware: Educational Attainment (21), Quality of Education (7)
14. New York: Educational Attainment (18), Quality of Education (14)
15. Oregon: Educational Attainment (12), Quality of Education (41)
16. Illinois: Educational Attainment (17), Quality of Education (18)
17. Hawaii: Educational Attainment (14), Quality of Education (35)
18. Maine: Educational Attainment (15), Quality of Education (31)
19. Montana: Educational Attainment (13), Quality of Education (46)
20. Wisconsin: Educational Attainment (25), Quality of Education (10)
21. Florida: Educational Attainment (35), Quality of Education (3)
22. Nebraska: Educational Attainment (20), Quality of Education (38)
23. North Dakota: Educational Attainment (22), Quality of Education (26)
24. Wyoming: Educational Attainment (23), Quality of Education (30)
25. Kansas: Educational Attainment (16), Quality of Education (49)
26. North Carolina: Educational Attainment (28), Quality of Education (13)
27. Michigan: Educational Attainment (26), Quality of Education (28)
28. California: Educational Attainment (37), Quality of Attainment (8)
29. Alaska: Education Attainment (19), Quality of Education (50)
30. Pennsylvania: Education Attainment (27), Quality of Education (36)
31. Iowa: Educational Attainment (29), Quality of Education (29)
32. Georgia: Educational Attainment (33), Quality of Education (22)
33. Missouri: Educational Attainment (31), Quality of Education (33)
34. Ohio: Educational Attainment (36), Quality of Education (21)
35. South Dakota: Educational Attainment (30), Quality of Education (40)
36. Idaho: Educational Attainment (34), Quality of Education (32)
37. Arizona: Educational Attainment (32), Quality of Education (44)
38. Indiana: Educational Attainment (41), Quality of Education (9)
39. South Carolina: Educational Attainment (38), Quality of Education (34)
40. Tennessee: Educational Attainment (40), Quality of Education (19)
41. Texas: Educational Attainment (42), Quality of Education (17)
42. New Mexico: Educational Attainment (39), Quality of Education (48)
43. Kentucky: Educational Attainment (46), Quality of Education (19)
44. (Tied for 43) Nevada: Educational Attainment (45), Quality of Education (23)
45. Oklahoma: Educational Attainment (43), Quality of Education (42)
46. Alabama: Educational Attainment (44), Quality of Education (39)
47. Arkansas: Educational Attainment (47), Quality of Education (27)
48. Louisiana: Educational Attainment (48), Quality of Education (43)
49. Mississippi: Educational Attainment (49), Quality of Education (45)
50. West Virginia: Educational Attainment (50), Quality of Education (47)

“There might be evidence that shows a positive correlation between K12 school quality and K12 short-term and long-term outcomes,” said Dr. Ahlam Lee, an associate professor at Xavier University in a statement. “The evidence does not necessarily mean K12 school quality causes such outcomes, but rather K12 school quality linked with multiple factors (e.g., parents’ involvement in their children’s learning process, community-level socioeconomic status, and a nation’s political and economic system, etc.) contributes to individuals’ K12 short-term and long-term outcomes.”

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