Virginia Excels in College Graduation Rates and Educational Attainment

U.S. News & World Report has named Virginia the 11th best state for education in 2023 as part of its annual ranking of states in various categories, including education.

With over 85 years of expertise, U.S. News is a multi-platform publisher of news and analysis known for its widely respected rankings of colleges, hospitals, and states.

To determine education rankings for each of the 50 states, U.S. News evaluates several factors in the two subcategories of higher education and pre-K-12. This year, Virginia is ranked #3 in 4-Year-College Graduation Rate and #7 in Educational Attainment, reflecting the state’s emphasis on lifelong learning and academic achievement.

Virginia is also ranked #10 in NAEP Math Scores this year, and the state’s high school graduation rate of 88.8%, which is higher than the national average, contributed to its overall ranking.

Virginia’s education system is strong in several areas. The state has an abundance of top-ranked colleges and universities, including the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech. Virginia also invests heavily in education, with a significant portion of the state budget allocated towards K-12 education. Additionally, Virginia has a strong early childhood education program, which can have a significant impact on a child’s future success in school.

Despite its strengths, there are still areas where Virginia’s education system can improve. While the state’s high school graduation rate is high, there are still significant disparities among different demographic groups. Continued investment in education can help improve the state’s reading and math proficiency levels, reduce disparities among different demographic groups, and ensure that Virginia remains a top destination for education in the United States.

Virginia was also ranked the 13th best state overall, with the top three states being Utah, Washington, and Idaho. The education ranking contributed 15.94% to the overall rank for each state.

Virginia’s results in other categories:

Crime & Corrections: #7

Economy: #18

Education: #11

Fiscal Stability: #10

Health Care: #19

Infrastructure:  #38

Natural Environment: #20

Opportunity: #23