Massachusetts is the state with the best public school systems in 2026, according to a new study from WalletHub.

Researchers at the finance company used data from the U.S. Department of Education to rank states based on school district safety and performance. Massachusetts ranked No. 1, followed by Connecticut and New Jersey.

The Commonwealth’s schools led the nation in math and reading test scores. Plus, schools in Massachusetts have the ninth best student-to-teacher ratio, meaning students receive personalized attention.

An education in Massachusetts equips students for success in higher education. Bay State students scored the No. 3 highest median ACT score in the nation. The Commonwealth also boasted the highest share of students who received a score of at least 3 out of 5 on an AP exam.

Students in Massachusetts also experience a safe learning environment. Researchers found that the state has some of the lowest rates of students who participated in a physical fight at school (third lowest), reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property (fifth lowest) or reported access to illegal drugs at school (fourth lowest).

“Massachusetts earned the top spot because it consistently excels across the measures that matter most for long-term student success,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “It received the highest overall score of 74.74 [out of 100], ranking first for school quality and second for safety, showing that it pairs outstanding academic performance with a strong learning environment.