New Jersey has claimed the top spot in the nation for Pre-K-12 Education,, according to the latest annual “Best States” rankings released by World Report. The ranking assesses each state’s performance across various sectors, including healthcare, economy, and infrastructure, with education being one of the most influential categories.
The education category is split into two subgroups: higher education and pre-K-12 education,. New Jersey stood out in the latter, earning the No. 1 spot nationally. The state achieved the highest scores in college readiness and preschool enrollment, while also ranking second in reading scores, third in high school graduation rates, and fifth in math scores based on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Despite the top-tier performance in early education, New Jersey ranked only 36th in higher education, which slightly offset its overall placement. Nevertheless, Governor Phil Murphy praised the achievement, stating, “We have the best public schools in the country because we challenge our students, value our teachers, and invest in learning from a young age.”
pre-K-12 education, Mixed Results Across Other Key Areas
Although New Jersey led the nation in pre-K-12 education, its overall ranking in the Best States list came in at 19th place. This is due to varying performances across other categories. The state ranked impressively in healthcare (No. 5), crime and corrections (No. 10), and infrastructure (No. 12). However, its rankings were less favorable in other areas such as the natural environment (No. 28), economy (No. 31), opportunity (No. 45), and fiscal stability (No. 49).
The World Report evaluates states using a combination of public data, expert analysis, and metrics such as affordability, accessibility, and outcomes. For education, these include college readiness, standardized test scores, and access to early childhood education programs.
In highlighting New Jersey’s education ranking, the report draws attention to the state’s strong investments in public schooling and early childhood learning. The recognition serves as a validation of policies that emphasize teacher support, student preparedness, and educational equity.
National Overview: How Other States Ranked?
The top ten states for education, following New Jersey, include Florida, Colorado, Utah, Massachusetts, Wyoming, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Washington, and Connecticut. These states generally scored well in both higher education and pre-K-12 education,, performance, reflecting comprehensive educational strategies.
At the lower end of the spectrum, New Mexico, Alaska, and Oklahoma ranked as the bottom three states for education, indicating significant room for improvement in areas such as literacy, graduation rates, and college preparedness.
New Jersey’s top ranking for early education, despite lower scores in higher education and fiscal stability, underscores the state’s commitment to foundational learning. With continued focus and investment, education leaders in New Jersey aim to strengthen post-secondary outcomes and elevate the state’s overall standing in future rankings.
