Your state’s report card is in
You can feel it in real life: some places treat school like a big deal. That shows up in test scores, college options, and how many adults finish degrees. WalletHub’s 2026 ranking puts numbers on that feeling.
Here are the top 10 most educated states in the new list. It blends how far adults go in school with how strong the schools are today. Let’s see what helped each state land near the top.
Massachusetts takes the top spot
Massachusetts ranks number 1 overall, with the top rank for educational attainment. WalletHub reports 47.3% of Massachusetts adults 25 and older hold at least a bachelor’s degree. It also has the highest share of graduate or professional degree holders — 21.8% of adults 25 and older.
In WalletHub’s table, Massachusetts places fourth for quality while still finishing first overall. That means strong schools are backing up the high degree numbers. It is the kind of state where education shows up in daily life, from jobs to family choices.
Vermont wins on diplomas
Vermont comes in at number 2 overall, and it shines in basic completion. WalletHub reports 95% of adults ages 25+ have at least a high school diploma, the highest share in the country. It also posts strong bachelor’s and graduate degree shares for a small state.
In the 2026 table, Vermont ranks third for educational attainment and ninth for quality. That means it scores best on how far adults go, even if it is not number 1 on school quality. For a small state, that is a big result.
Maryland’s mix of access and APs
Maryland ranks number 3 overall, and it is one of the best all around states in the table. WalletHub highlights a free statewide community college program as a plus in its scoring. It also ranks second for graduate or professional degree holders.
On the K–12 side, Maryland has the seventh highest share of students who scored 3+ on an AP exam, according to WalletHub. It also ranks third for quality of education in the 2026 table. That combo helps it hold a top three spot.
Connecticut’s degrees and university quality
Connecticut lands at number 4 overall, with a steady showing across both categories. In WalletHub’s table, it ranks seventh for educational attainment and sixth for quality. It also ranks third for graduate or professional degree holders.
Another standout is higher education. WalletHub’s average university quality list puts Connecticut third in the country. If you want a state that mixes strong degrees with strong campuses, Connecticut is right there.
Colorado’s college pipeline is huge
Colorado ranks number 5 overall, and its attainment score is doing a lot of the lifting. It ranks second for educational attainment in the 2026 table. WalletHub also ranks Colorado first for associate degree holders or college experienced adults.
Colorado is also second for bachelor’s degree holders, so the pipeline keeps going. Here is the twist: Colorado ranks 38th for quality of education in the table. It shows how one state can excel on degrees even if school quality ranks lower overall.
New Jersey tops school quality
New Jersey ranks number 6 overall, and it wins the quality category. In the 2026 table, it ranks first in the quality of education. Even with an educational attainment rank of 10th, that school quality strength carries a lot of weight.
New Jersey also shows up on bachelor’s degrees. WalletHub ranks it fourth for the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree. Put those together, and you get a top 10 state that scores best where kids start.
Virginia stays strong across the board
Virginia comes in at number 7 overall, and it does not rely on one single metric. In the table, Virginia ranks sixth for educational attainment and 11th for quality. That balance keeps it in the top tier.
Virginia also shows up on advanced degrees. WalletHub ranks Virginia fifth for graduate or professional degree holders. When a state has lots of advanced degrees, you often feel it in the job market.
New Hampshire keeps education steady
New Hampshire ranks number 8 overall, with solid numbers in both columns. It ranks fifth for educational attainment and 14th for quality in the 2026 table. That is not a spike in one area, it is steady performance.
It also stands out on high school completion. WalletHub ranks New Hampshire fourth for the share of adults with at least a high school diploma. For families, that kind of baseline completion usually signals stable school culture.
Minnesota’s learning culture shows
Minnesota ranks number 9 overall, and it is one of the Midwest standouts on the list. In the 2026 table, it ranks eighth for educational attainment and 20th for quality. Those rankings still add up to a top 10 finish.
One reason is the “some college” pipeline. WalletHub ranks Minnesota third for associate degree holders or college experienced adults. That can matter for trades, healthcare, and other practical career paths.
Washington rounds out the top 10
Washington takes the number 10 spot in the 2026 list. It ranks ninth for educational attainment and 21st for quality in the table. That’s enough to edge into the top 10 nationally.
Washington also shows up on the “some college” pipeline. WalletHub ranks Washington fourth for associate degree holders or college-experienced adults. If you are thinking about a two-year start, that is a useful signal.
How WalletHub built the 2026 list
This 2026 ranking compares all 50 states across two big buckets: educational attainment and quality of education. WalletHub scored states using 18 metrics, then combined them into a total score. The data was collected as of January 29, 2026.
Some metrics look at degrees like high school, associate’s, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees. Others look at school quality, NAEP math and reading scores, and graduation rates. It also counts racial and gender gaps in educational attainment.
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The pattern behind the top states
New England shows real dominance here. Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and New Hampshire all land in the top 10. That cluster is hard to miss when you scan the list.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo says there’s a strong correlation between more education and higher compensation. He also points to low racial and gender gaps in educational attainment as part of what separates top states. In other words, it’s not just degrees, it’s who gets access.
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Which state surprised you the most on this list? Share your thoughts and your view in the comments.
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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