In this article, we will look at the 20 states with the worst public school systems in the US and also examine education trends across the US.

Overview of the Status of Education in the US

Although the United States is considered to be one of the best countries in the world in terms of education standards, the country has a diverse academic landscape. According to data by UNESCO, the United States spent $1.162 trillion on education as of 2020. The government’s expenditure on pre-primary education came up to 0.34% of its total GDP, while the same for primary and secondary education stood at 1.53% and 1.73% as of 2020, respectively. In addition, the country spends 1.81% of its total GDP on tertiary education as of the same year.

The United States held the fifth position in the list of expenditures per full-time equivalent (FTE) student enrolled in the OECD countries in elementary or secondary level institutions as of 2019, with a per student expenditure of $15,500. Luxembourg, Norway, Austria, and the Republic of Korea held the first positions. Luxembourg and Norway spent $25,600 and $18,000 on primary/secondary school education as of 2019, respectively, while Austria and the Republic of Korea spent $15,900 each as of the same year. However, since the expense per FTE student refers to the average amount spent on a student, the total expenditures may vary at local and state levels. That is precisely why different states in the US have varying per student expenditures on education. You can also look at 20 Worst States for Education in the US and 30 Best School Districts in USA.

State-Wise Breakdown of USA’s Educational Statistics

According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, Idaho and Utah spend the lowest amount of money per pupil in average daily attendance in public elementary and secondary schools in the country. Idaho spends $9,172 in unadjusted USD and $10,445 in constant USD (2022-2023) as of the academic year 2020-2021. Similarly, Utah spends $9,783 in unadjusted USD and $11,141 in constant USD (2022-2023) as of the same academic year. In contrast, the District of Columbia has the highest per pupil expenditure in average daily attendance in public elementary and secondary schools, standing at $28,678 in unadjusted USD and $32,659 in constant USD (2022-2023)as of the academic year 2021-2022. New York, Vermont, and New Jersey trail closely behind, with average per pupil expenses of $32,497, $31,235, and $27,497 in constant USD (2022-2023)as of the same academic year.

Furthermore, according to the compendium report Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United States: 2019 released by the National Center of Education Statistics, approximately 0.523 million students between the ages 15 and 24 dropped out of high school between October 2016 and October 2017 without graduating. This accounted for 4.7% of the total enrollment of students between the ages of 15 and 24 in grades 10-12 in 2016, which was about 11.1 million. Although the event dropout rate in the United States decreased from 6.5% in 1977 to 4.7% in 2017, it was higher than the 3.5% rate in 2007.

Further data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that 4.96% of students received out-of-school suspensions in public elementary and secondary schools in the academic year 2016-2017, of which 6.81% were male and 3.01% were female. 0.20% of students were also expelled in the same time frame, of which 0.29% were male and 0.11% were female. Utah had the lowest out-of-school suspension rate, standing at 1.82%. North Dakota, Idaho, and South Dakota trailed behind, with out-of-school suspension rates of 2.32%, 2.57%, and 3.05%, as of the academic year 2016-2017, respectively. The highest out-of-school suspension rate was calculated in South Carolina at 10.38%, with Mississippi, Louisiana, and Delaware trailing behind at rates of 10.21%, 8.98%, and 8.30%, as of the same academic year, respectively. You can also look at 20 States with the Highest High School Dropout Rates in the US  and 20 States with the Highest High School Graduation Rates in the US.

Now that we have taken an overview of the education sector in the United States, let’s look at the 20 states with the worst public school systems in the US.

Our Methodology

In order to compile our list of the 20 states with the worst public school systems in the US, we have considered the pupil-to-teacher ratio, SAT scores of high school seniors, and the per student expenditure on education by each state as the primary metrics. We then computed the average ranking of each state according to its position in the list of each of the three metrics, i.e. its Insider Monkey Score. We chose the bottom 20 states as the ones with the worst public school systems in the US, with 7 being the lowest Insider Monkey Score for the state with the worst public school system in the US. We hypothesize that states with the worst public school systems in the US have a high pupil-to-student ratio, low SAT mean scores of high school seniors, and low per student expenditure on education. In cases where states have the same Insider Monkey Score, we have considered the percentage of the graduating class taking the SAT as a tie-breaker.

Data for pupil-to-teacher ratio for full-time-equivalent (FTE) teachers as of Fall 2021, SAT mean scores of high school seniors as of 2023, and current expenditures per student in average daily attendance in public elementary and secondary schools as of the academic year 2020-2021 have been taken from the National Center for Education Statistics. Data for the percentage of graduating class taking the SAT has also been taken from the National Center for Education Statistics. The 20 states with the worst public school systems in the US are arranged in ascending order of their Insider Monkey Score.

20 States with the Worst Public School Systems in the US

20. Washington

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 18.0

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1081

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $19,548 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 22.33

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 37%

Washington ranks 20th on our list of the 20 states with the worst public school systems in the US with an Insider Monkey Score of 22.33. The state spends $19,548 on its per pupil educational expenses as of the academic year 2020-2021, considered in constant USD (as of 2022-2023). Its students have a 1081 mean SAT score as of 2023.

19. North Carolina

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 14.9

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1127

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $13,233 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 20.66

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 24%

North Carolina ranks on our list with an 1127 SAT mean score of high school seniors as of 2023. The state spends $13,233 (considered in constant USD as of 2022-2023) on its per pupil educational expenses as of the academic year 2020-2021. North Carolina has an Insider Monkey Score of 20.66.

18. Tennessee

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 15.4

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1191

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $12,466 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 20.66

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 4%

With a tie on an Insider Monkey Score of 20.66, Tennessee ranks above North Carolina with only 4% of its graduating class taking the SAT as of 2021. The state has an 1191 mean SAT score of high school seniors enrolled in public schools in the state as of 2023.

17. South Carolina

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 14.1

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1028

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $14,916 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 20.33

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 50%

South Carolina ranks 17th on our list of the 20 states with the worst public school systems in the US with an Insider Monkey score of 20.33. The state has a 14.1 pupil-to-teacher ratio as of Fall 2021 and spends $14,916 on its per pupil educational expenses as of the academic year 2020-2021, considered in constant USD as of 2022-2023.

16. West Virginia

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 13.5

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 923

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $16,214 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 20

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 90%

West Virginia is located in the eastern United States dotted with the Appalachian Mountains. The state’s SAT mean score of high school seniors stands at 923 as of 2023, and has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 13.5.

15. Georgia

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 14.5

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1054

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $14,661 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 19.66

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 53%

Georgia ties with Ohio in terms of its Insider Monkey Score, with both states standing at 19.66. 53% of students enrolled in the state public high schools take the SAT as of 2021, with a mean SAT score of 1054 as of 2023.

14. Ohio

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 16.9

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1044

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $16,879 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 19.66

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 18%

Ohio ranks above Georgia in our list as only 18% of graduating class students took the SAT in the state in 2021, as opposed to 53% of students in Georgia. Ohio has a 1044 mean score of high school seniors enrolled in public schools as of 2023.

13. California

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 22.0

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1083

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $17,178 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 19.33

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 25%

With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 22.0, California ranks 13th on our list. The state spends $17,178 on its per pupil educational needs as of the academic year 2020-2021, considered in adjusted USD as of 2022-2023.

12. Colorado

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 16.3

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 996

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $16,331 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 17.33

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 90%

Colorado has an Insider Monkey Score of 17.33, ranking it 12th on our list of the 20 states with the worst public school systems in the US. It has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 16.3 as of Fall 2021.

11. Utah

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 22.4

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1239

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $11,141 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 17

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 2%

The per pupil educational expense for students in Utah stands at $11,141 as of the academic year 2020-2021, considered in adjusted USD as of 2022-2023. The state ranks 11th on our list.

10. Michigan

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 16.7

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 967

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $16,740 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 15.66

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 97%

Michigan ranks tenth on our list. 97% of students in the state’s graduating class take the SAT as of 2021, with a mean score of 967 as of 2023.

9. Alabama

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 19.3

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1161

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $12,903 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 15.66

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 3%

Alabama ranks above Michigan on our list since only 3% of students of its graduating class take the SATs as of 2021. It has an 1161 SAT mean score of high school seniors as of 2023.

8. Texas

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 14.6

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 978

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $13,538 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 15

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 71%

With an Insider Monkey Score of 15, Texas ranks eighth on our list. The state has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 14.6.

7. Indiana

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 15.6

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 971

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $14,654 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 14.33

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 100%

With 100% of Indiana’s graduating class taking the SAT, the state ranks seventh on our list. It spends $14,654 on its per pupil educational expenses as of the academic year 2020-2021, considered in adjusted USD as of 2022-2023.

6. Nevada

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 20.4

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1166

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $12,465 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 14.33

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 6%

Nevada ranks sixth on our list of the 20 states with the worst public school systems in the US with an Insider Monkey Score of 14.33. The state ties with Indiana on the score, which is why we consider the percentage of graduating class students taking the SAT as the tie-breaker. Since only 6% of graduating students take the SAT in the state as of 2021, it ranks above Indiana.

5. Arizona

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of Fall 2021: 22.2

SAT Mean Scores of High School Seniors as of 2023: 1183

Per Pupil Expenditure on Education as of 2020-2021: $12,363 (In Constant USD as of 2022-2023)

Insider Monkey Score: 13.66

% of Graduating Class Taking the SAT as of 2021: 11%

High school seniors studying in public high schools in Arizona have a mean SAT score of 1183 as of 2023. The state also has a 22.2 pupil-to-teacher ratio as of Fall 2021, ranking fifth on our list with an Insider Monkey Score of 13.66.