These States Have The Best Preschool Systems in The US, Study Says

A good start can lead to long-term benefits for your little one. According to the National Education Association, children enrolled in early education programs like preschool are more likely to be academically prepared for future grades and have higher graduation rates and earning potential than those not enrolled.

So how can you help your child get the best start? It turns out a lot of your child’s early education success may have to do with where you live. A recent report by WalletHub used 12 key indicators to identify which US states offered the top early education systems.

The indicators used to rank the states were divided into three key categories:

• Access: This measured how easily families could find and enroll their children in pre-K or Head Start programs. Metrics included the percentage of school districts offering state-funded pre-K and the number of children on waitlists.
• Quality: This assessed how effective and enriching the programs were for children. Data points included the number of pre-K quality benchmarks met and whether schools had required safety plans.
• Resources and Economic Support: This looked at affordability and financial investment. Metrics included average family spending per enrolled child and state spending per child.

Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest quality of early education. The researchers used the weighted average of scores in each state to determine the best states for early education.

The Top 10 States With the Best Preschool Systems:

• Maryland
• District of Columbia
• Arkansas
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oregon
• West Virginia
• South Carolina
• Vermont
• Michigan

Based on the scores, the report concluded that Maryland has the best early education system in part due to its high enrollment, with notable recent increases in preschool enrollment for 3-year-olds. The state also prioritizes safety and investment, with a statewide school safety plan, routine audits to ensure compliance, and the fourth-highest per-child preschool spending in the nation at $17,262 annually.

The District of Columbia follows suit in second place with the highest combined enrollment of 3- and 4-year-olds in pre-K, special education or Head Start programs. In DC, 84% of three-year-olds and 95% of four-year-olds are enrolled. Very few states have anywhere close to those numbers.

Coming in third, Arkansas earns top marks for affordability. The state eliminates co-payment fees for child care and invests heavily in early education, spending over $10,000 per child enrolled in preschool each year.

For a detailed breakdown of how the states were scored and to see all 50 states and their rank, check out the full online report.