New York topped all other states in a newly released list of 2026 public school rankings, meaning the state is firmly among the best across the nation for the second straight year.
The ranking factor in academic measures such as graduation rates and test performance, while separate national data shows New York also ranks high for teacher pay and student spending.
For New Yorkers, the ranking matters because school performance remains closely tied to property values, taxes and where families and companies choose to locate. Sitting in a top tier of public-school systems nationwide helps New York state stay competitive, even for people who do not have children enrolled in public schools.
Here’s how New York compares nationally, why rankings matter and how they compare.
Where does NY rank in the 2026 public school rankings?
The Empire State tops the list, ranking first nationally in the latest 2026 public school rankings compiled by World Population Review, placing the state firmly in the top tier nationwide. The ranking reflects overall performance across academic measures and school quality indicators.
Why NY schools rank among the best in the nation
New York’s continued top-five placement is driven by strong academic outcomes and consistently high performance across key metrics such as student achievement and graduation rates, according to World Population Review. These factors are commonly used in national ranking models that evaluate overall school system quality.
In other measured World Population Review rankings, New York also ranked first in school funding and resources, which considers teacher salaries and qualifications and student expenditures. New York ranked fifth in school safety and 18th in academic performance, according to the report.
How NY compares to other top-ranked public school states
New York remained in the top spot for 2026, the same as last year’s overall performance rankings. competitive nationally with a small group of consistently high performing states.
Teacher pay in NY remains among highest in nation
Separate national data released in April 2026 by the National Education Association shows New York teachers earn an average salary of $98,655, nearly $25,000 higher than the national average of $74,495. The NEA data shows teacher pay varies widely by state, and higher-paying states tend to cluster in the Northeast – including New York, which is second on the list to California – where teachers earn an average salary of $103,552, according to the NEA.
NY per‑student spending ranks as nation’s highest
According to data from the National Education Association, New York spent $32,370 per student in K-12 education in 2025, which topped the list nationally ($17,840 is U.S. average). National data shows wide variation in spending across states, with higher-investment states generally concentrated in the Northeast.
Research from the Northwestern Institute for Policy Research shows that higher per-student funding allows for smaller class sizes and more support staff – key factors linked to improved student outcomes such as graduation rates and test performance.
What are the 2026 public school rankings by state?
The 2026 public school rankings – based on data compiled by World Population Review – place a small group of states consistently at the top nationally, based on overall academic performance, graduation rates, test scores, and school system:
Contributing: USA Today network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New York schools rank first nationally for 2026
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
