Most Educated State in the Nation? CT Ranks #5

Connecticut is the 5th most educated state in the nation, according to a new analysis of nationwide data. 

The analysis, by the financial website WalletHub, revealed that the most educated states were Massachusetts, Maryland, Colorado and Vermont.  Rounding out the top 10 after Connecticut, were Virginia, Washington, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Minnesota. At the bottom of the list were Louisiana, West Virginia and Mississippi.

The website notes that “Generally, the higher the level of education one completes, the higher their income potential and the lower their chances of unemployment become.”

The 50 state comparison was done across 18 total metrics grouped into two categories. The data set ranged from share of adults aged 25 years and older with at least a high school diploma to average university quality to gender gap in educational attainment.  In Educational Attainment, Connecticut ranked fourth.  In Quality of Education, the state placed ninth.

In some of the sub-categories, Connecticut ranked higher than most:

• 3rd – % of Graduate- or Professional-Degree Holders

• 4th – % of Bachelor’s Degree Holders

• 12th – Avg. University Quality

• 18th – % of Associate's Degree Holders or College-Experienced Adults

• 19th – % of High-School Diploma Holders

Last year, WalletHub did an analysis ranking the education level of populations in metropolitan regions across the country. Three Connecticut metropolitan regions were ranked in the top 50 nationwide.  Bridgeport/Stamford/Norwalk was 11th, Hartford/West Hartford/East Hartford was 24th and New Haven/ Milford was 41st.