Iowa Leads the Way In Tri-State Education Rankings: Illinois and Wisconsin Better Than Half

I've seen many reports over the years about the state of our education in Iowa, and more often than not, it's usually great news. That seems to be the case yet again as Iowa has pulled down a Top 5 ranking across the nation in a study that looks at which states best set up their kids for future success. In the case of Illinois and Wisconsin, they both fall below the top 10, but are still doing quite well when compared to the rest of the United States.

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So, what makes Iowa stand out? According to the data, the state combines a 90% high school graduation rate with a strong SAT average of 1195. Its student-teacher ratio of 14:1 means classrooms are small enough for teachers to give students individualized attention. Add in low “idle youth” numbers (teens and young adults not in school or work) and Iowa is clearly giving its students a "head-start" for life after high school.

Read More: Iowa Top 10 College Graduation Rates: What’s The Secret?

Illinois and Wisconsin are doing well, too. Illinois ranks 15th, with an 87% graduation rate and an ACT average of 24.5, while Wisconsin comes in 23rd, boasting a 90% graduation rate and good SAT scores. Though they don’t reach Iowa’s top-tier status, both states perform above average and show steady performance across the multiple indicators. Check out the top 23 scores below.

The study, conducted by Go Au Pair, looked at more than just test scores. Factors like dropout rates, classroom size, bullying, idle youth percentages, and the number of Blue Ribbon Schools were all part of the calculation. This gives families a clear picture of which states are setting up their students for real long-term success.

For the tri-state area, the takeaway is simple: Iowa is leading the way, but Illinois and Wisconsin are holding strong in the upper half of the nation as well. For local parents and educators, it give us the peace of mind that our state standards in education are preparing our youth for the future. And trust me, where the kids go to school really does matter.