Where does the US rank in education?

Asked by: Tabitha Gutkowski  |  Last update: October 15, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (38 votes)

As of now, the United States education ranking is in the 13th place with a score of 0.883, trailing behind countries like Germany (2nd) and New Zealand (3rd). In the QS World University Rankings 2023, 11 out of the top 20 universities are American, including prestigious institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard.

How does the US compare to other countries in education?

As of 2022, the U.S. was below average in math but above average in science compared with other member countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of mostly highly developed, democratic nations: U.S. students ranked 28th out of 37 OECD member countries in math.

Did the US ever rank #1 in education?

As recently as 20 years ago, the United States was ranked No. 1 in high school and college education. Much of the boom in American education during the second half of the 20th century was fueled by the Montgomery G.I.

Does the US actually have a good education system?

Many families all over the world aspire to and strive for an American education for their children. That's because American schools are well known for providing high-quality education through a balanced, tried-and-tested curriculum.

Why is the US ranked low in education?

These challenges extend beyond mathematics. American students also face significant gaps in other key subjects, including reading comprehension, science, and problem-solving skills. These shortcomings in multiple subjects further compound the nation's educational concerns and hinder its ability to compete globally.

U.S. Education Vs The Rest Of The World

37 related questions found

Where does America rank in math?

Some 620,000 students in 38 mostly industrialized countries and a total of 81 education systems, including four in China, participated in PISA in 2022. Of all education systems in OECD, The United States ranked 6th in reading, 10th in science, and 26th in math.

What state ranks lowest in education?

1. West Virginia. West Virginia is the least educated state in America with nearly half of its adult population aged 25 and above having only a high school diploma or less as their education. Higher education attainment also remains extremely low in the state.

What is the #1 best state to live in?

They then scored each state based on their findings and ranked them. Overall, the study ranked Massachusetts as the best place to live in the U.S. thanks in part to the state's education and health, (where it ranked first in the country), and their quality of life, (where it ranked sixth).

Which state has the best healthcare?

  • Hawaii. #1 in Health Care. #34 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Massachusetts. #2 in Health Care. #10 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Connecticut. #3 in Health Care. #20 in Best States Overall. ...
  • New Jersey. #4 in Health Care. ...
  • Rhode Island. #5 in Health Care. ...
  • California. #6 in Health Care. ...
  • Maryland. #7 in Health Care. ...
  • New York. #8 in Health Care.

What is the US ranked in public education?

As of now, the United States education ranking is in the 13th place with a score of 0.883, trailing behind countries like Germany (2nd) and New Zealand (3rd). In the QS World University Rankings 2023, 11 out of the top 20 universities are American, including prestigious institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard.

How does the US rank in the world?

The U.S. is ranked third, according to the 2024 Best Countries analysis rankings.

What is the top 1 educated country?

  • South Korea stands out as the most educated country globally, with a literacy rate of 97.9% in 2024. ...
  • Canada, renowned for its exceptional educational system, stands as the second most educated country globally, with a tertiary education attainment rate of 66.36%.

What country is #1 in math?

According to the PISA report in 2018, mainland China takes the cake for first place in math achievement with an overall score of 591 points.

Is the US falling behind in education?

'Sharp, Steep Declines': U.S. Students Are Falling Behind in Math and Science. More countries are edging ahead of the United States in math and science achievement, according to the latest results from an international test of 4th and 8th graders in the subjects.

Where does the US rank in healthcare?

The US health care system ranked last overall among 10 other high-income countries on key issues such as equity, access to care, and outcome measures, according to a new report, Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing US Health System, by The Commonwealth Fund.

Is USA a good education system?

Many families all over the world aspire to and strive for an American education for their children. That's because American schools are well known for providing high-quality education through a balanced, tried-and-tested curriculum.

What country has the best quality of life?

  • Denmark. #1 in Quality of Life. #10 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Sweden. #2 in Quality of Life. #6 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Switzerland. #3 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Norway. #4 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Canada. #5 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Finland. #6 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Germany. #7 in Quality of Life. ...
  • Australia. #8 in Quality of Life.

What country is #1 overall?

The 10 best countries in the world, ranked. Switzerland regained the top spot on U.S. News & World Report's list of best countries in the world. The 2024 rankings assessed 89 countries on factors including heritage, power, and entrepreneurship.

What is number 1 college in US?

The top 10 colleges in the US according to U.S. News' Best National University Rankings are: #1 Princeton University. #2 Columbia University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.