In this article, we will look at the 20 worst states for education in the US. Before that, let’s discuss some quick facts related to education in the US.

The United States education system faces both triumphs and tribulations. While the national high school graduation rate reached 89.4% in public schools for 2021, significant disparities exist. The national graduation rate paints a broad picture, but deeper analysis reveals concerning racial achievement gaps. White students graduate at a higher rate (94%) compared to Black students (88.1%) and Hispanic students (72.5%). This disparity highlights the need for targeted support programs to ensure equal educational opportunities for all.

College Attainment and Socioeconomic Disparity

Similar inequalities extend to higher education. Only 35% of individuals aged 25 and over held a bachelor’s degree in 2021. Asians boasted the highest attainment rate (56.7%), followed by Whites and Blacks at 38.9% and 24.9%, respectively. Hispanics faced the most significant hurdle, with only 19.8% attaining a bachelor’s degree. These figures suggest a strong correlation between educational attainment and socioeconomic background.

The educational landscape varies greatly across states. Montana, New Hampshire, and Vermont boast the highest graduation rates (over 94%), while New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada struggle with high dropout rates (over 7%). This geographical disparity necessitates a closer look at the factors influencing educational quality within individual states.

Student-Teacher Ratios and Pandemic Impact

The national student-teacher ratio remained steady at 15.4 in 2021, with public school enrollment slightly declining from 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly impacted educational outcomes. The National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reported declines in reading and math scores nationwide. In 2022, only a third of 4th and 8th graders scored proficient or higher in reading, and math scores remained similarly low. This data underscores the pandemic’s detrimental effect on learning and the need for focused efforts to bridge the widening achievement gaps.

The US education system grapples with both successes and challenges. While overall graduation rates are increasing, racial and socioeconomic disparities persist. Additionally, state-by-state variations highlight the need for targeted approaches to improve educational quality. As the nation emerges from the pandemic, addressing learning loss and ensuring equal access to quality education for all will be paramount.

Now that we have taken an overview of the education sector in the United States, let’s take a look at the 20 worst states for education in the US.

Our Methodology 

For this list, we have considered each state’s student expenditure, the pupil-to-teacher ratio of each state, and the percentage of bachelor’s degree attainment in people aged 25 and older in each state as the primary metrics. We then computed the average ranking of each state according to their position in the list of each of the three metrics, i.e. the state’s Insider Monkey Score.

Data for expenditure per student, pupil-to-teacher ratio, and percentage of bachelor’s degree attainment has been taken from reports by the National Center of Education Statistics. The latest data for each of the three metrics is available from 2021. The 20 worst states for education in the US are arranged in ascending order of their Insider Monkey Score.

20 Worst States for Education in the US

20. South Dakota 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $13,631

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 13.8

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 31.2%

Insider Monkey Score: 32

South Dakota ranks 20th on our list of the 20 worst states for education in the US with an Insider Monkey Score of 32. The state spends around $13,631 on its per student education expenses as of 2021.

19. Iowa 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $16,213

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 14.2

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 30.1%

Insider Monkey Score: 32

Iowa has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 14.2 as of 2021, with its bachelor’s degree attainment rate standing at 30.1%. It ranks 19th on our list with an Insider Monkey Score of 32.

18. West Virginia 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $16,214

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 13.5

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 24.0%

Insider Monkey Score: 32.33

As of 2021, West Virginia has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 13.5 and a 24.0% bachelor’s degree attainment rate. The state spends around $16,214 on per student education expenses.

17. Arkansas 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $13,959

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 12.6

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 25.1%

Insider Monkey Score: 32.33

Arkansas ranks 17th on our list with an Insider Monkey Score of 32.22. Its expenditure per pupil as of 2021 stands at $13,959, with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 12.6.

16. Texas 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $13,538

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 14.6

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 33.2%

Insider Monkey Score: 32.66

Texas is a South Central state with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 14.6. The state has a 33.2% bachelor’s degree attainment rate as of 2021. It ranks 16th on our list.

15. Michigan 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $16,740

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 16.7

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 31.6%

Insider Monkey Score: 32.66

With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 16.7 and an Insider Monkey Score of 32.66, Michigan ranks 15th on our list of the 20 worst states for education in the US. The state’s expenditure per pupil stands at $16,740 as of 2021.

14. Ohio 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $16,879

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 16.9

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 30.6%

Insider Monkey Score: 34.33

The state of Ohio spends about $16,879 on its per student education expenses, and has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 16.9. It ranks 14th on our list.

13. New Mexico 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $13,377

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 14.8

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 30.1%

Insider Monkey Score: 37.66

New Mexico is located in the Southwestern region of the United States. The landlocked state has an Insider Monkey Score of 37.66.

12. Georgia 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $14,661

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 14.5

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 34.6%

Insider Monkey Score: 37.66

Georgia has a bachelor’s degree attainment rate of 34.6% as of 2021, and an Insider Monkey Score of 37.66. The state spends $14,661 on its per pupil educational expenses as of 2021, ranking it 12th on our list of the 2o worst states for education in the US.

11. Florida 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $12,713

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 17.7

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 33.2%

Insider Monkey Score: 38

Florida spends $12,713 on its per student educational expenses as of 2021. The state has a bachelor’s degree attainment rate of 33.2% as of the same year.

10. Kentucky 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $15,225

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 15.1

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 27.3%

Insider Monkey Score: 38

Kentucky is a southeastern state bordered by the Appalachian Mountains in the east and the Ohio River in the north. The state has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 15.1 as of 2021.

9. Indiana 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $14,654

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 15.6

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 29.1%

Insider Monkey Score: 38.33

Indiana ranks 9th on our list of the 20 worst states for education in the US with an Insider Monkey Score of 38.33. The state spends $14,654 on its per student education expenses, and has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 15.6.

8. Mississippi 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $12,601

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 13.9

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 24.8%

Insider Monkey Score: 39

Mississippi is a state in the south of the United States. It has an Insider Monkey Score of 39 with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 13.9 and a 24.8% bachelor’s degree attainment rate as of 2021.

7. Tennessee 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $12,466

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 15.4

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 30.7%

Insider Monkey Score: 39.33

Tennessee spends $12,466 on its per student educational expenses as of 2021, and has a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 15.4. The state ranks 7th on our list.

6. Louisiana 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $16,151

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 17.6

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 26.4%

Insider Monkey Score: 40.33

Louisiana has a $16,151 per student expenditure on education, and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 17.6 as of 2021. The state has an Insider Monkey Score of 40.33, ranking it sixth on our list.

5. Idaho 

Expenditure per Pupil as of 2021: $10,445

Pupil-to-Teacher Ratio as of 2021: 17.5

Bachelor’s Degree Attainment as of 2021: 31.0%

Insider Monkey Score: 43

Idaho spends $10,445 on its per student expenses as of 2021, and has an Insider Monkey Score of 43. It ranks fifth on our list of the worst states for education in the US.