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New Jersey has been named the third most educated state in the United States, according to a newly published study by Teach Simple. The study, which assessed each state on 18 different factors, found that the Garden State had an academic score of 69.28 out of 100 and an overall index score of 65.42 out of 100.
The study reviewed factors such as average ACT scores, grade 8 standardized test scores, the number of people in state-run adult education programs, library materials lent per capita, the percentage of high school dropouts, the percentage of 18–24-year-olds enrolled in post-secondary institutions, and the percentage of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.
New Jersey particularly excelled in higher education, with a score of 72.55 out of 100. Additionally, the state boasted a low high school dropout rate of 3.25 percent, significantly lower than the bottom state in the list, New Mexico, which had a rate of 8.51 percent.
The state's public high school adjusted cohort graduation rates also stood out, with 91 students graduating per school. This achievement further highlights the quality of New Jersey's education system, reflecting its commitment to ensuring student success.
Massachusetts and Connecticut were the only states to rank higher than New Jersey, securing the first and second spots respectively. Massachusetts boasted the highest percentage of 18–24-year-olds enrolled in post-secondary institutions at 51.78 percent, contributing to its top spot with an academic score of 81.09 out of 100 and an overall index score of 74.87 out of 100.
Meanwhile, the states ranking lowest in education were New Mexico, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. These states struggled with low academic scores, high dropout rates, and infrequent library visits.