Massachusetts has been named the “most educated” state in the nation, easily surpassing New York, which didn’t even crack the top 10 in the new survey.
The New England state, which boasts top universities such as Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), took the top spot in the research organization’s rankings. Researchers at WalletHub.
Following Massachusetts, the personal finance company found Vermont, Maryland, Connecticut and Colorado among the top five states.
New York State finished a respectable 15th place, trailing Montana and Illinois, which placed 14th and 13th, respectively.
Neighboring New Jersey was just behind Virginia in seventh place.
WalletHub focused on two important factors: educational attainment and quality of education, examined through 18 related indicators.
To get an accurate picture of educational attainment, analysts focused on the number of adults 25 and older in each state with degrees ranging from high school graduation to graduate school.
Montana had the highest percentage of people with a high school diploma, and Massachusetts had the highest percentage of people with a bachelor’s degree and graduate or professional degree.
When it came to understanding the quality of education, the number of data points was more comprehensive, including the quality of school systems and universities, enrollment at top universities, and each state’s graduation rates and test scores.
The presence of free community college and the achievement gap between states were also taken into account.
West Virginia held the enviable title of being the “least educated” state, with Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma just behind the Mountain State.
“While a good education does not guarantee a higher income or better opportunities in the future, there is a clear correlation,” Cassandra Happe, an analyst at WalletHub, said in a statement. Ta.
“It’s certainly worth living in one of the most highly educated states that offers quality learning from early childhood through the college level, especially if you’re planning on raising a family.”
Speaking of children, WalletHub conducted a separate analysis last month that found Massachusetts is also a great state to raise a family. New York took fifth place.
