Florida maintains its top spot for education in latest U.S. News rankings

Florida has once again claimed the title of the top state for education, according to U.S. News & World Report’s latest ranking. This marks the second consecutive year that Florida has secured the top spot, thanks in large part to its impressive performance in higher education.

While the state’s prekindergarten through 12th-grade education system is still fairly strong, it is the stellar metrics in higher education that have propelled Florida to the top of the rankings. The state’s colleges and universities boast the nation’s second-highest graduation rates and the lowest average in-state tuition and fees.

Despite facing controversial changes in recent legislative sessions, including bans on diversity programs and regulations on campus restrooms, Florida’s higher education system continues to excel. The University of Florida, for example, may have dipped to No. 6 in the public university rankings, but it was still recognized as one of the top schools in the country.

State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues praised Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for prioritizing higher education and providing the necessary resources for academic excellence. The state increased funding to the State University System by $1 billion last year, further solidifying its commitment to education.

In K-12 education, Florida also performed well, ranking No. 10 overall. The state excelled in college readiness, preschool enrollment, and high school graduation rates. However, there is still room for improvement in reading and math scores, where Florida ranked No. 21 and No. 32, respectively.

With Utah and Massachusetts following closely behind in the rankings, Florida’s education system continues to set the bar high for other states across the country.