WalletHub ranks New Jersey sixth most educated state in 2026

NEW JERSEY – New Jersey ranks as the sixth most educated state in the nation in 2026, according to a new study released by personal-finance website WalletHub.

The report notes that individuals with college degrees earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma — roughly $600 to $1,400 more per week — underscoring the economic impact of higher education. Using that lens, WalletHub evaluated all 50 states to determine where education levels are strongest nationwide.

To compile the rankings, WalletHub compared states across 18 metrics designed to measure the key components of an educated population. Those metrics focused on educational attainment, school quality and achievement gaps across gender and racial groups.

How educated is New Jersey? (1=Most; 25=Avg.):

• Overall Rank: 6^th
• 29^th – % of High-School Diploma Holders
• 20^th – % of Associate’s Degree Holders or College-Experienced Adults
• 4^th – % of Bachelor’s Degree Holders
• 7^th – % of Graduate- or Professional-Degree Holders
• 14^th – Avg. University Quality
• 1^st – Gender Gap in Educational Attainment

For the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/e/most-educated-states/31075.