MS education performance ranks near the bottom in national report
According to a new study, Mississippi ranks as the second least educated state in the country in 2024.
The 2024 study by Writerbuddy.ai looks at educational attainment across all 50 states based on data from the 2022 American Community Survey by the United States Census Bureau. The study analyzed five metrics, graded on a 100-point scale, to determine each state’s overall score and ranking.
The five metrics used in the study are percentage of graduate or professional degrees, bachelor’s degrees or higher, associate’s degrees, high school diploma or equivalent, and less than a high school diploma.
The report found Mississippi has 22.48% of residents with a bachelor’s degree, 8.34% of residents with a graduate degree and 12.76% of residents with less than a high school diploma.
Based on the study’s findings, this data gave Mississippi a final score of 12.06 out of 100 which placed the state at 49th out of 50. Nevada finished last.
“Leading the pack is Massachusetts, where nearly 44% of residents have at least a bachelor’s degree and close to 19% hold a graduate degree. Maryland and Vermont also shine brightly in academic achievement. On the other end, Mississippi, Nevada and Louisiana are struggling with lower education levels,” the report reads.
The report also identified Mississippi is “home to institutions like the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, which strive to improve educational outcomes and opportunities for its residents.”
Below are the Top 10 least and most educated states in America, according to the study:
Education superintendent Lance Evans on:‘Mississippi Miracle’ and reducing teacher shortage
Top 5 least educated states in America
Four of the top five least educated states were located in the southern portions of the United States, the report shows.
- Ranked 50: With a score of 10, Nevada has 8.45% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 24.95% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 11.68% of residents with an associate’s degree, 29.40% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 12.69% of residents with less than a high school diploma.
- Ranked 49: With a score of 12.06, Mississippi has 8.34% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 22.48% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 14.81% of residents with an associate’s degree, 31.42% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 12.76% of residents with less than a high school diploma.
- Ranked 48: With a score of 15.89, Louisiana has 8.92% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 24.84% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 11.28% of residents with an associate’s degree, 33.05% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 12.84% of residents with less than a high school diploma.
- Ranked 47: With a score of 17.58, Arkansas has 8.46% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 23.44% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 12.14% of residents with an associate’s degree, 34.68% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 11.09% of residents with less than a high school diploma.
- Ranked 46: With a score of 20.93, Oklahoma has 8.59% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 25.89% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 12.42% of residents with an associate’s degree, 31.68% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 10.86% of residents with less than a high school diploma.
More on:Is the Mississippi Miracle real despite the state continuing to rank low in education?
Top 5 most educated states in America
All of the top five most educated states were located in the northeastern portions of the United States, the report shows.
- Ranked 1: With a top score of 90, Massachusetts leads with 18.7% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 43.56% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 11.32% of residents with an associate’s degree, 23.87% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 8.75% of residents with less than a high school diploma. Key institutions were Harvard and MIT.
- Ranked 2: With a score of 89.75, Vermont has 17.29% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 40.23% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 13.09% of residents with an associate’s degree, 27.07% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 5.69% of residents with less than a high school diploma. Key institutions were the University of Vermont and Middlebury College.
- Ranked 3: With a score of 80.44, Maryland has 18.32% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 40.88% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 10.27% of residents with an associate’s degree, 24.68% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 8.91% of residents with less than a high school diploma. Key institutions were Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland.
- Ranked 4: With a score of 76.71, Connecticut has 16.62% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 39.17% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 12% of residents with an associate’s degree, 26.22% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 8.6% of residents with less than a high school diploma. Key institutions were Yale and the University of Connecticut.
- Ranked 5: With a score of 76.71, New Hampshire has 14.97% of residents with a graduate or professional degree, 38.46% of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 12.15% of residents with an associate’s degree, 28.15% of residents with a high school diploma or equivalent, and 6.18% of residents with less than a high school diploma. Key institutions were Dartmouth and the University of New Hampshire.
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