WalletHub has released the results of a study designed to determine the best and worst school systems in the U.S. Criteria taken into account included student-to-teacher ratios, dropout rates, school safety, test scores and bullying rates. 

Of the three states in our region, Iowa scored highest overall, ranking in 11th place. Illinois ended up tying Maine for 17th place, and Missouri placed 19th in the nation.

Among the specific criteria, Iowa came in first for "lowest dropout rate," and tied for first (along with Minnesota and Utah) in the category of "lowest percentage of children who repeated one or more grades."

Missouri scored poorly regarding incidents of bullying, coming in tied for 37th place with Maine.

Overall, the states ranked the highest in the survey were:

  • New Jersey
  • Massachusetts
  • Vermont

Ranking the lowest:

  • Alabama
  • Mississippi
  • The District of Columbia

More From KICK FM, #1 For New Country