New Jersey once again tops the nation when it comes to education. A new ranking released by U.S. News & World Report listed NJ as having the best education in the U.S.
The state took the top spot in the 2025 assessment, rising from fourth place last year. The rankings are based on a range of indicators across both K-12 and higher education systems.
New Jersey performed strongest in pre-K through 12th grade. It placed top five in every category within that segment, including test scores and enrollment rates. The state also led the country in SAT/ACT pass rate and preschool enrollment.
Gov. Phil Murphy praised the report as validation of policy choices. “Our schools consistently rank among the top in the nation because we have made it a priority to invest in our best-in-the-nation public education system and ensure our students can achieve long-term success,” Murphy said. “We know that a robust public education system plays a critical role in empowering the next generation of leaders and making our state the best place to start and raise a family.”
Despite strong marks for K-12, New Jersey’s higher education ranking lagged at 36th. The state struggled with affordability, scoring poorly in tuition costs and student debt.
U.S. News has published its state rankings annually since 2017, evaluating metrics across sectors including healthcare, infrastructure, economy, and public safety. In the overall best-state list, which includes all categories, New Jersey ranked 19th.
Critics warn that education rankings don’t tell the full story. Chris Tienken, a professor at Seton Hall University, cautioned against relying too heavily on standardized testing data, such as SAT scores, which he said are not aligned with high school curricula.
Still, the top ranking for education is certainly nothing to scoff at. It is clear that New Jersey remains committed to maintaining top-notch educational standards.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.