Top States for Higher Education – 2020 Edition

Because getting a higher education is important in many professional fields, it can drastically change a worker’s earning potential and therefore his or her ability to save. According to 2017 statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median weekly salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree was $1,173, while it was only $800 for a person with just a high school diploma. Going to college isn’t cheap, of course. There are some states, though, where it is more affordable than others and offers a greater ROI.

To find the best states for students seeking higher education, SmartAsset analyzed data from all 50 states across the following five metrics: undergraduate graduation rate, average net price, student-faculty ratio, 20-year return on investment and in-state attendance rate. For details on our data sources and how we put all the information together to create our final rankings, check out the Data and Methodology section below.

This is SmartAsset’s sixth annual study on the best states for higher education. Check out the 2019 version here.

• East Coast states perform well. While the top 10 of the study includes states from all four main Census regional divisions – the Northeast, the Midwest, the South and the West – six of the top 10 states for higher education are located on the East Coast: Delaware, Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut, North Carolina and New York.
• Consistency at the top. Eight of this year’s top 10 states ranked among the 10 best states for higher education in all six editions of this study. The two exceptions are Indiana and Connecticut, which have finished 16^th or higher over the past six years.

1. Delaware

Delaware ranks third overall in three of the metrics we considered: student-to-faculty ratio, at almost 14 students per faculty member; 20-year return on investment, at $433,667 and in-state attendance rate, at 52%. Delaware also finishes in the top 15 of the study for the average net price across all of its four-year public colleges and universities, at $12,807. For recent graduates in the state looking for help managing any outstanding student debt, it might be time to speak to a professional financial advisor.

2. Virginia

Although it has the fifth-lowest average net price nationwide, at $18,166, Virginia ranks first overall for the metric of undergraduate graduation rate, at 72%. The Old Dominion’s four-year public colleges and universities also finish in the top 10 of the study for a low student-to-faculty ratio – at roughly 15 students per faculty member – as well as for a high 20-year return on investment, at $388,913. It’s important for prospective and current students to be mindful of the lifetime costs of student loans as they consider their long-term financial plans.

3. New Jersey

New Jersey finishes second for the metric of undergraduate graduation rate in its four-year public colleges and universities, at 69%. It also finishes seventh-best for its 20-year return on investment, at $409,195, and 13^th-best for student-to-faculty ratio, at almost 16 students per faculty member.

4. Indiana

Indiana’s four-year public colleges and universities have the eighth-lowest net price in our study, at just $10,958. The state also has the 13^th best in-state attendance at its four-year public colleges and universities, at 37%, and the 14^th-best student-to-faculty ratio, at roughly 16 to 1.

5. Connecticut (tie)

Tying for fifth place in our rankings with Michigan and North Carolina, Connecticut comes in fourth for the metric of undergraduate graduation rate, at 66%. The state also finishes seventh-best for student-to-faculty ratio at approximately 15 to 1. Furthermore, the state ranks within the top 15 for its relatively high 20-year return on investment, at $367,803.

Graduates who are looking to cut down on residual costs of an investment in their degree might consider an education refinance loan that best meets their needs.

5. Michigan (tie)

Michigan ties for fifth-best state for higher education along with Connecticut and North Carolina. Michigan doesn’t rank in the top 10 for any particular metric, but it finishes within the top 15 of the study for the metrics of in-state attendance, at 38%, and student-to-faculty ratio, at approximately 16 students per instructor. Furthermore, the state ranks within the top half of the study for the remaining metrics.

5. North Carolina (tie)

North Carolina ties for fifth place, along with Connecticut and Michigan. It comes in seventh for its relatively high undergraduate graduation rate, which is 65%. Graduates who are looking for opportunities after receiving their degree might wish to stay in the state, as two North Carolina cities are ideal for young professionals. Even though the state ranks within the bottom half of the study for 20-year return on investment, at $257,462, it ranks 14^th-best for its relatively low average net price, at $12,910.

8. New York

New York ranks in the top half of the study for four out of five metrics, all except in-state attendance. The average net price of the four-year public colleges and universities in the state of New York is the third-lowest in the study, at $10,167. Despite the relative affordability, it might still be wise to look into New York’s 529 College Savings Program if you’re a guardian planning to start saving for a child’s future education. The state also ranks 18^th-best for two metrics – a low student-faculty ratio, at approximately 16 students per instructors, and a high 20-year return on investment, at $344,490.

9. California

California performs the best in the metric of 20-year return on investment on a four-year public college or university education, at $461,667. While the state unfortunately finishes last in the study for its high student-to-faculty ratio, it cracks the top 20 for the other metrics, including 19^th-best undergraduate graduation rate, at 57%, and ninth-lowest average net price, at $11,032.

10. Wyoming

Wyoming ranks fifth-best for student-faculty ratio, at about 15 students per instructor. The state also comes in 15^th overall for both its relatively low average net price, at $12,999, and its relatively high 20-year return on investment, at $360,000.

For those looking to get the most bang for their buck in the work force after graduating from college, take a look at SmartAsset’s roundup of the most in-demand jobs for bachelor’s degree holders.

To find the top states for higher education, SmartAsset analyzed data in all 50 states for the following metrics:

• Undergraduate graduation rate. Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and is for the 2017-2018 school year.
• Average net price. The metric considers the average yearly price for first-time, full-time undergraduate students. Data comes from IPEDS and is for the 2017-2018 school year.
• Student-faculty ratio. Data comes from IPEDS and is for the 2017-2018 school year.
• 20-year return on investment. This is the total dollar amount earned by a bachelor-degree-holder over the course of 20 years of median pay (or 24 years of median pay for a high school graduate) minus the costs of attending the higher education institute for four years. Data comes from PayScale.
• In-state attendance rate. This is the percentage of students who graduated from high school in 2017 and attended an in-state college. Data comes from IPEDS and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

Data for metrics were found using a weighted average of the schools in each state.

We ranked each state in the five metrics. We then found each state’s average ranking, giving a double weighting to graduation rate. Using this average ranking we created our final score. We graded our score on a curve, with the top 15% of states receiving a grade of A and the bottom 15% receiving a grade of F.

• Invest in some professional financial instruction. Make sure you plan for education early – possibly using a financial advisor. Finding the right financial advisor that fits your needs doesn’t have to be hard, though. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes. If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that will help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
• Consider a 529 plan. Given the rising cost of tuition and mounting student debt, you might want to put your money in a 529 college savings plan, which also offers strategic tax breaks.
• Master the ABCs of budgeting. A budget can help you save for college. Use SmartAsset’s budgeting tool to see what your budget can look like as you sock away money for your child’s future education.

Questions about our study? Contact press@smartasset.com

Photo credit: ©iStock.com/sengchoy

The post Top States for Higher Education – 2020 Edition appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.

Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. Frankly and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact pressreleases@franklymedia.com