MD Public Schools Among Top 5 In The Nation, Analysis Says

MARYLAND — Maryland public schools are among the best in the country, according to a new analysis from WalletHub that took performance, funding, safety, class size and instructor credentials into consideration.

After comparing the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 32 key metrics, WalletHub determined that Maryland public schools are No. 3 in the nation overall. Meanwhile, Maryland schools ranked fifth in the United States for quality and fourth for safety.

"(Maryland is) one of only seven states with laws making digital content and instructional materials available outside the classroom, which improves accessibility for students," according to WalletHub's ranking. "It also has state laws dedicated to making technology accessible to students."

When it comes to test results, Maryland had the 11th-best ACT scores and 13th-best SAT scores, according to the ranking. The state also has the seventh-highest share of students scoring at least a 3 on AP exams.

Additionally, Maryland has the 10th-best share of public schools that rank in the top 700 nationwide.

Here's a look at the states with the best public schools overall:

1. Massachusetts
2. Connecticut
3. Maryland
4. New Jersey
5. Wisconsin
6. New Hampshire
7. Nebraska
8. New York
9. Virginia
10. North Dakota

The ranking for public school quality was similar to those ranking high overall. Massachusetts came in at No. 1 followed by Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Maryland and New Hampshire.

The five states that ranked worst overall were Louisiana, Alaska, Arizona, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, coming in at numbers 47 through 51, respectively.

Read the full analysis at WalletHub.

Patch editor Cailin Loesch contributed to this report.

RELATED:

• 16 MD High Schools Rank Among Nation’s Top 5 Percent: U.S. News
• These Are The Best School Districts In Maryland, New Ranking Says
• These Are The Top 25 Public High Schools In Maryland, New Ranking Says