The 10 Best U.S. States for Education

State governments play a vital role in shaping their state’s education system, from having a hand in planning the state’s school curricula to allocating funding. As part of its 2019 Best States rankings, U.S. News determined which states provide their residents with the best education in the country, considering both K-12 and higher education.

Here's a look at the 10 states that came out on top.

College educated: 44.1 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $6,334

Public high school graduation rate: 85.2 percent

Best States overall rank: 4

Learn more about Utah.

College educated: 40.5 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $8,361

Public high school graduation rate: 91.3 percent

Best States overall rank: 14

Learn more about Iowa.

College educated: 46.8 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $15,537

Public high school graduation rate: 87.7 percent

Best States overall rank: 5

Learn more about Vermont.

College educated: 46.6 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $12,126

Public high school graduation rate: 86.7 percent

Best States overall rank: 7

Learn more about Virginia.

College educated: 41.9 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $7,732

Public high school graduation rate: 89.3 percent

Best States overall rank: 9

Learn more about Nebraska.

College educated: 47.2 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $15,491

Public high school graduation rate: 88.2 percent

Best States overall rank: 2

Learn more about New Hampshire.

College educated: 45.6 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $6,903

Public high school graduation rate: 79.7 percent

Best States overall rank: 1

Learn more about Washington.

College educated: 39.7 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $4,435

Public high school graduation rate: 80.7 percent

Best States overall rank: 13

Learn more about Florida.

College educated: 46.4 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $13,297

Public high school graduation rate: 90.1 percent

Best States overall rank: 12

Learn more about New Jersey.

College educated: 50.9 percent

Average undergraduate in-state tuition and fees: $12,331

Public high school graduation rate: 87.5 percent

Best States overall rank: 8

Learn more about Massachusetts.

• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• Florida
• Washington
• New Hampshire
• Nebraska
• Virginia
• Vermont
• Iowa
• Utah