| Overall Rank |
State |
Total Score |
Access Rank |
Quality Rank |
Resources & Economic Support Rank |
Share of 3- and 4-year-olds Enrolled in Pre-K, Pre-K Special Education and Head Start
|
| 42 |
Hawaii |
42.88 |
29 |
39 |
47 |
46 |
States with the Best & Worst Early Education Systems (2024)
from WalletHub July 30, 2024
While good elementary schools, high schools and colleges are important factors for parents to consider when choosing where to settle down, the availability of quality pre-K education is just as crucial. Children enrolled in early education programs are more likely to be academically prepared for future grades, as well as have higher graduation rates and higher earning potential than those who are not enrolled, according to the National Education Association. Plus, one estimate shows that every dollar invested in early education programs for disadvantaged families may generate $7.30 in economic benefits due to its impact on helping children grow up to be healthier, higher-earning adults.
Despite the benefits of early education, only 11 states offer universal pre-K programs, though a growing number may implement it in the future.
To help parents find the states with the best early education systems, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 12 key metrics, including share of school districts that offer a state pre-K program, number of pre-K quality benchmarks met and total reported spending per child enrolled in pre-K.
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