Study ranks Missouri as worst in the United States for early education

MISSOURI — A recent study from WalletHub has given the state of Missouri poor marks in early education compared to the rest of the nation.

WalletHub’s study analyzed the early education programs of every U.S. state and the District of Columbia for 2025. The study looked at the availability of pre-K programs in school districts, the quality of pre-K programs using set benchmarks and reported spending and resources per child enrolled in pre-K.

In the study, Missouri was ranked last out of all states for its overall early education system.

Missouri was ranked second-to-last in the study’s pre-K quality metric, only ahead of Kansas. Missouri also ranked below average in pre-K access rank (38th) and economic support and resources rank (32nd).

Missouri was also ranked in the following metrics measured by WalletHub:

• 38^th in Share of 3- and 4-year-olds Enrolled in pre-K, pre-K Special Education and Head Start

• 40^th in Total Reported Spending per Child Enrolled in Preschool

• 15^th in Total State Head Start Program Spending per Child Enrolled in Preschool

• 43^rd in Share of School Districts that Offer State Pre-K Program

• 45^th in Pre-K Program Growth – Change of Preschool Enrollment for 3- and 4-year-olds

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Rounding out the top five worst early education systems in the U.S. are New Hampshire, Montana, Idaho and Massachusetts. Minnesota was ranked the worst in pre-K access, while New Hampshire was ranked the worst for pre-K economic support.

Maryland was named the best state for pre-K education by WalletHub, followed by the District of Columbia and Arkansas.

According to the study, the National Education Association says children who are enrolled in pre-K programs become more prepared for future grade levels. NEA also says they are more likely to graduate, have a better earning potential and have a lower risk of future crime.

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