Where Does Missouri Rank in Education? Key Facts

Missouri currently ranks 33rd overall in a widely cited state education ranking based on Pre-K–12 performance and higher education outcomes. However, the answer changes when only public schools, educational attainment, teacher pay, safety, or student achievement are considered.

For example, WalletHub’s public school comparison places Missouri 41st among the 50 states and the District of Columbia. In the same study, Missouri ranks 36th for school quality and 51st for school safety. Meanwhile, the state ranks 32nd in a separate comparison of America’s most educated states.

The most accurate answer, therefore, is that Missouri generally ranks in the lower-middle range nationally, but it performs better in areas such as graduation rates and ACT scores than its overall position might suggest.

Missouri Education Ranking at a Glance

Different organizations use different measurements, so Missouri does not have one universal education rank.

Education measure	Missouri’s position or result	What it evaluates
Overall state education ranking	33rd	Combined Pre-K–12 and higher education outcomes
Public school system	41st out of 51	School quality and safety
Public school quality	36th	Test scores, graduation, class size and related measures
Public school safety	51st	Bullying, violence, substance exposure and safety indicators
Most educated state	32nd	Adult attainment and education quality
Four-year graduation rate	91.4%	Students completing high school within four years
Average ACT score	19.9	College-readiness assessment performance
Average teacher salary	48th	Average annual public school teacher pay
Average starting teacher salary	49th	Average salary offered to beginning teachers
Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher	32.4%	Educational attainment among residents age 25 and older

These figures show why a single Missouri education ranking can be misleading. The state performs close to national or regional averages in some academic outcomes while facing serious challenges in teacher compensation and certain public school conditions.

Why Do Missouri Education Rankings Differ?

Education rankings are built from selected metrics, and each organization gives those metrics different importance.

An overall education ranking may include:

• Preschool enrollment
• Fourth- and eighth-grade reading scores
• Mathematics performance
• High school graduation rates
• College readiness
• Tuition and student debt
• College completion rates
• Adult educational attainment

A public school ranking may focus more closely on:

• Student-to-teacher ratios
• Standardized test results
• Dropout rates
• School safety
• Bullying incidents
• Teacher qualifications
• Digital learning plans
• Advanced Placement participation

This explains why one report places Missouri 33rd while another places its public school system 41st. The first combines K–12 and higher education, while the second gives considerable weight to school quality and safety.

Older articles may also list Missouri as 30th in education. Those figures usually come from an earlier edition of the rankings rather than the current dataset. Rankings can move when results change, new information becomes available, or an organization adjusts its methodology.

How Does Missouri Rank in K–12 Education?

Missouri’s K–12 education ranking is generally below the national midpoint. A U.S. News-based state comparison places Missouri around 35th for Pre-K–12 education, while WalletHub ranks it 36th for public school quality.

That does not mean every Missouri public school performs below average. Statewide rankings combine hundreds of districts with widely different enrollment levels, financial resources, student needs and academic results.

More than 92% of Missouri public school students attend fully accredited schools. State education reports also show recent improvement in English language arts, mathematics and science across several grade levels.

Reading and Mathematics Performance

Missouri participated in the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, commonly called the Nation’s Report Card. Its fourth- and eighth-grade reading and mathematics results were statistically aligned with the national public school averages.

This suggests that Missouri’s academic performance is closer to the national middle than some overall school rankings imply. However, being close to the national average does not eliminate concerns about learning recovery, proficiency levels or achievement gaps.

Important challenges include:

• Recovering learning lost during and after the pandemic
• Improving reading proficiency in elementary grades
• Strengthening middle school mathematics
• Supporting students who are academically behind
• Reducing performance differences between districts
• Addressing achievement gaps between student groups

Missouri has expanded Science of Reading training, with more than 14,000 K–8 educators enrolled in or having completed the training. The long-term effect will depend on how consistently evidence-based reading practices are implemented in classrooms.

High School Graduation Rate

Missouri’s four-year public high school graduation rate reached approximately 91.4% in 2025. That was higher than the regional average of about 89% reported in the state’s public education snapshot.

The graduation rate is one of Missouri’s clearest educational strengths. It indicates that a large majority of students complete high school on time, even though graduation alone does not measure college readiness or subject-level proficiency.

A strong graduation rate can be supported by:

• Early intervention for struggling students
• Credit-recovery programs
• Career and technical education
• Individual graduation planning
• Attendance improvement initiatives
• Alternative pathways to high school completion

The next challenge is ensuring that graduates leave school with the literacy, mathematics, technical and workplace skills needed for college or employment.

ACT and College Readiness

Missouri reported an average ACT score of 19.9, slightly above the national average of 19.4 included in the state’s education snapshot.

ACT comparisons should be interpreted carefully because participation requirements differ by state. A state where nearly all students take the ACT cannot always be directly compared with one where primarily college-bound students participate.

Still, Missouri’s result indicates that college readiness is not uniformly weak. Some districts and schools perform particularly well in advanced coursework, dual enrollment, career education and college preparation.

How Missouri Compares With Neighboring States

Missouri borders eight states, making regional comparison especially useful. In WalletHub’s public school system ranking, Missouri trails most of its immediate neighbors.

State	Public school system rank
Nebraska	11th
Kentucky	17th
Iowa	21st
Tennessee	22nd
Illinois	24th
Kansas	35th
Arkansas	39th
Missouri	41st
Oklahoma	49th

Missouri ranks above Oklahoma but below its other bordering states in this particular comparison. The gap is influenced by more than test performance. WalletHub combines academic quality with safety indicators, which significantly lowers Missouri’s overall position.

Regional rankings should not be treated as a direct comparison between individual schools. A high-performing Missouri district may offer stronger outcomes than a lower-performing district in a nationally higher-ranked state.

Missouri’s School Safety Ranking

One of the most concerning findings is Missouri’s 51st-place public school safety ranking in WalletHub’s comparison of the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

This is a composite ranking built from multiple indicators. It should not be interpreted as proof that every Missouri school is unsafe. School conditions can differ substantially by district, neighborhood and campus.

The safety category considers factors such as:

• Bullying and disciplinary incidents
• Students threatened or injured at school
• Youth exposure to illegal drugs
• School shootings
• Digital learning and safety planning
• School transportation and traffic conditions
• Other student health and security measures

Because the category combines many indicators, a weak position in several areas can pull down the statewide result. Families should examine local discipline reports, campus policies, counseling availability, emergency procedures and student surveys rather than relying only on the state’s overall rank.

Teacher Pay Is a Major Challenge

Teacher compensation is one of the weakest parts of Missouri’s education system.

For the 2024–25 fiscal year, Missouri’s average teacher salary was approximately $57,366, placing the state 48th nationally. Its average starting teacher salary was approximately $40,682, ranking 49th.

Low teacher pay can affect schools in several ways:

• Fewer applicants for open teaching positions
• Difficulty retaining experienced educators
• Shortages in mathematics, science and special education
• Increased reliance on inexperienced or temporary staff
• Larger workloads for remaining teachers
• Higher recruitment and training costs
• Greater staffing challenges in rural districts

Salary is not the only factor that determines teacher quality, but compensation influences whether districts can attract and retain qualified professionals. Long-term improvement in Missouri’s school ranking will be difficult without competitive pay and stronger working conditions.

Education Funding in Missouri

Missouri education funding comes from a combination of state, local and federal sources. The balance varies between districts because local property values and tax bases are not equal across the state.

Some districts can raise more local revenue and provide additional programs, updated facilities, smaller classes or higher salaries. Districts with a weaker local tax base may have less flexibility even when their students have greater needs.

Funding discussions should consider more than the total amount spent. Important questions include:

• Is funding distributed according to student needs?
• Can rural and low-income districts hire qualified teachers?
• Are special education costs fully supported?
• Do schools have enough counselors and support staff?
• Is transportation funding adequate in rural communities?
• Are buildings, technology and learning materials up to date?
• Is funding stable enough for long-term planning?

Spending alone does not guarantee high achievement. However, schools cannot consistently provide competitive salaries, specialized instruction and student support without sufficient and predictable resources.

Higher Education in Missouri

Missouri’s higher education system gives the state several important advantages. It includes public universities, private research institutions, regional universities, community colleges and technical schools.

The state is home to institutions such as:

• Washington University in St. Louis
• University of Missouri
• Missouri University of Science and Technology
• Saint Louis University
• University of Missouri–Kansas City
• Missouri State University
• Truman State University
• State Technical College of Missouri

These institutions support research, professional education, workforce preparation and regional economic development. Missouri’s college options range from major research universities to career-focused technical programs.

However, the quality of individual colleges does not automatically translate into high statewide educational attainment. College affordability, enrollment, retention and degree completion all influence the higher education portion of Missouri’s ranking.

Educational Attainment Among Missouri Adults

Educational attainment measures how far adults have progressed through the education system. Census data for 2020–2024 shows that among Missouri residents age 25 and older:

• Approximately 91.9% have completed high school or an equivalent credential.
• Approximately 32.4% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Missouri also ranks 32nd in WalletHub’s comparison of the most educated states. Its overall position reflects both adult degree attainment and the quality of educational opportunities available within the state.

Improving adult educational attainment may require:

• More affordable college pathways
• Stronger community college transfer programs
• Short-term workforce credentials
• Support for adult learners
• Better college retention
• Expanded apprenticeships
• Improved access in rural communities

A traditional four-year degree is not the only valuable outcome. Technical certificates, apprenticeships and associate degrees can also lead to stable careers, especially when programs are connected to regional employers.

Is Missouri a Good State for Education?

Missouri can provide a good education, but the answer depends heavily on the district, school and type of program being considered.

The state’s advantages include:

• A graduation rate above 91%
• Academic results near national averages on NAEP
• An ACT average slightly above the reported national figure
• A wide selection of colleges and technical institutions
• Expanding literacy training for educators
• Strong individual districts and specialized schools
• Career and technical education opportunities

Its main weaknesses include:

• A lower-middle overall education ranking
• Low average teacher salaries
• Difficulty recruiting and retaining educators
• Unequal resources between districts
• Learning recovery challenges
• Significant variation in school performance
• A weak composite school safety ranking

Missouri is neither one of the country’s strongest education states nor one of the weakest in every category. It combines average academic outcomes and a strong graduation rate with structural problems that reduce its overall position.

What State Rankings Do Not Tell Parents

A statewide number is useful for understanding broad trends, but it cannot tell a family whether a specific school is right for a child.

Before choosing a Missouri school or district, families should examine:

• Reading and mathematics proficiency
• Student academic growth
• Four-year graduation rate
• Attendance and chronic absenteeism
• College and career readiness
• Advanced Placement and dual-credit options
• Career and technical programs
• Student-to-teacher ratio
• Teacher turnover
• Special education services
• School safety and disciplinary data
• Counseling and mental health support
• Extracurricular activities
• Accreditation and performance history

Student growth can be especially important. A school may serve many students who begin below grade level but still produce strong yearly academic progress. A simple proficiency percentage may not capture that improvement.

What Could Improve Missouri’s Education Ranking?

Missouri’s ranking could improve through a combination of academic, financial and workforce reforms.

Make Teacher Pay More Competitive

Moving teacher salaries closer to regional and national averages could improve recruitment and retention, particularly in rural schools and shortage subjects.

Strengthen Early Literacy

Consistent use of evidence-based reading instruction can help more students build strong foundational skills before reaching middle school.

Expand Mathematics Support

High-impact tutoring, better curriculum alignment and early intervention could improve mathematics achievement and post-pandemic recovery.

Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

Students cannot benefit from instruction when they are frequently absent. Attendance initiatives should address transportation, health, family instability and student engagement.

Improve School Safety and Student Support

More counselors, prevention programs, effective discipline policies and reliable reporting could improve both student well-being and the state’s safety indicators.

Address District-Level Funding Gaps

Funding formulas should account for differences in local wealth, transportation costs, disabilities, poverty and English-language learning needs.

Connect Education With Employment

Career education, apprenticeships, technical programs and employer partnerships can give students clearer pathways from school to stable employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Missouri rank in education nationally?

Missouri ranks 33rd overall in a widely cited education ranking that combines Pre-K–12 and higher education performance. Its exact position varies depending on the source and metrics used.

Where does Missouri rank in public education?

WalletHub ranks Missouri’s public school system 41st among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Missouri places 36th for school quality and 51st for school safety in that study.

Why do some websites say Missouri ranks 30th?

Some articles use an older edition of the U.S. News education rankings. Missouri’s position has changed as new data and ranking methodologies have been introduced.

Does Missouri have a good education system?

Missouri has a mixed education profile. Its graduation rate is strong, and its NAEP performance is close to national averages. However, low teacher pay, district-level inequality and school safety indicators lower its overall ranking.

What is Missouri’s high school graduation rate?

Missouri’s four-year public high school graduation rate is approximately 91.4%, which is above the regional average reported by the state.

How does Missouri perform in reading and mathematics?

Missouri’s 2024 fourth- and eighth-grade NAEP reading and mathematics results were statistically aligned with national public school averages. State assessments have also shown recent improvement in several grades.

Where does Missouri rank in teacher pay?

Missouri ranks 48th in average teacher salary and 49th in average starting teacher salary based on 2024–25 fiscal year estimates.

What percentage of Missouri residents have a college degree?

Approximately 32.4% of Missouri adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. About 91.9% have completed high school or an equivalent credential.

Are all Missouri schools ranked poorly?

No. State rankings combine results from many different districts and schools. Missouri has high-performing districts, specialized programs and individual schools that perform well above statewide averages.

Is Missouri’s education ranking improving?

Missouri has recently reported improvement in attendance, graduation, English language arts, mathematics and science. However, sustained progress in teacher retention, student achievement, safety and funding equity will be needed to produce a major improvement in national rankings.

Conclusion

So, where does Missouri rank in education? The clearest overall answer is 33rd nationally, although the state ranks 41st in a separate public school system comparison. These numbers place Missouri in the lower-middle portion of the country rather than at the very bottom in every educational category.

Missouri’s 91.4% graduation rate, near-average NAEP results and broad higher education network demonstrate meaningful strengths. At the same time, low teacher compensation, uneven district resources, learning recovery and school safety indicators remain significant concerns.

The statewide rank provides a helpful starting point, but it does not define every student’s experience. Missouri’s education system includes both high-performing schools and communities facing serious challenges, making district- and school-level research essential.