How Every State Ranks in Math and Reading Test Scores

At a time when education is under scrutiny because of concerns over AI, a perceived literacy crisis, and learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic, test scores can provide a snapshot of student performance.

But that performance can vary widely across state lines.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a federal program that the National Assessment Governing Board called “the gold standard assessment” for gauging students’ knowledge in the US. Known as The Nation’s Report Card, the assessments are given to representative samples of public school students in each state, and results are released every two years for grades four and eight.

The most recent state-by-state data, released in January 2025, shows how students in the two grades performed in math and reading assessments in 2024 based on average scale scores ranging from 0 to 500, per the National Center for Education Statistics.

The NCES notes that scores can’t be directly compared across grades and subjects. Instead, Business Insider ranked each state separately on the four assessments: fourth-grade reading, eighth-grade reading, fourth-grade math, and eighth-grade math. We then averaged each state’s four rankings to produce an overall ranking of all states.

For some states, there is a correlation between test scores and rankings in overall education performance. Massachusetts, which was previously ranked the most educated state in a WalletHub report, had the highest average NAEP scores. Second-ranked Vermont, however, landed at No. 32 on our list for its average scores.

See how each state ranked based on its performance across the four assessments.

50. New Mexico

Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 224

Math average scale score, grade 8: 256

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 201

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 245

49. Alaska

Houses and buildings in Anchorage, Alaska. — Anchorage, Alaska.

Wirestock/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 226

Math average scale score, grade 8: 264

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 202

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 246

48. West Virginia

Buildings in Wheeling, West Virginia. — Wheeling, West Virginia.

Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 232

Math average scale score, grade 8: 261

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 206

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 247

47. Oklahoma

Math average scale score, grade 4: 233

Math average scale score, grade 8: 264

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 207

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 249

46. Delaware

Wilmington, Delaware skyline. — Wilmington, Delaware.

ChrisBoswell/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 233

Math average scale score, grade 8: 263

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 210

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 249

45. Oregon

Portland, Oregon, skyline. — Portland, Oregon.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 229

Math average scale score, grade 8: 268

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 207

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 255

44. Arkansas

Buildings in Little Rock, Arkansas. — Little Rock, Arkansas.

ChrisBoswell/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 230

Math average scale score, grade 8: 266

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 210

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 255

43. Arizona

Skyline in Phoenix, Arizona. — Phoenix, Arizona.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 232

Math average scale score, grade 8: 270

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 208

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 254

42. Nevada

Buildings in Las Vegas, Nevada. — Las Vegas, Nevada.

f11photo/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 233

Math average scale score, grade 8: 265

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 213

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 253

41. Alabama

Buildings in Birmingham, Alabama. — Birmingham, Alabama.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 236

Math average scale score, grade 8: 262

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 213

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 250

40. California

Skyline in Los Angeles, California. — Los Angeles, California.

choness/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 233

Math average scale score, grade 8: 269

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 212

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 254

39. Maine

Buildings in Portland, Maine. — Portland, Maine.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 233

Math average scale score, grade 8: 273

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 210

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 255

38. Michigan

Buildings in Detroit, Michigan. — Detroit, Michigan.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 235

Math average scale score, grade 8: 270

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 209

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 255

37. Missouri

Buildings in St. Louis, Missouri. — St. Louis, Missouri.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 235

Math average scale score, grade 8: 270

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 212

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 255

36. South Carolina

Houses in Charleston, South Carolina. — Charleston, South Carolina.

Kruck20/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 238

Math average scale score, grade 8: 268

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 215

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 254

35. Texas

Buildings in Dallas, Texas. — Dallas, Texas.

travelview/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 241

Math average scale score, grade 8: 269

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 212

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 252

34. Louisiana

Skyline in New Orleans, Louisiana. — New Orleans, Louisiana.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 235

Math average scale score, grade 8: 267

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 257

32 (tie). Vermont

Homes and buildings in Burlington, Vermont. — Burlington, Vermont.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 235

Math average scale score, grade 8: 276

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 213

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 257

32 (tie). Kansas

Buildings in Wichita, Kansas. — Wichita, Kansas.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 237

Math average scale score, grade 8: 274

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 213

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 255

31. Maryland

Buildings in Baltimore, Maryland. — Baltimore, Maryland.

SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 234

Math average scale score, grade 8: 268

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 258

30. New York

Aerial view of buildings in New York, New York. — New York, New York.

f11photo/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 234

Math average scale score, grade 8: 271

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 215

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 257

29. Georgia

Buildings in Atlanta, Georgia. — Atlanta, Georgia.

f11photo/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 236

Math average scale score, grade 8: 269

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 214

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 259

28. North Carolina

Buildings in Charlotte, North Carolina. — Charlotte, North Carolina.

Kruck20/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 239

Math average scale score, grade 8: 276

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 213

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 255

27. Virginia

Buildings in Richmond, Virginia. — Richmond, Virginia.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 238

Math average scale score, grade 8: 275

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 214

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 256

26. Mississippi

Government building in Jackson, Mississippi. — Jackson, Mississippi.

SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 239

Math average scale score, grade 8: 269

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 219

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 253

25. Nebraska

Buildings in Omaha, Nebraska. — Omaha, Nebraska.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 238

Math average scale score, grade 8: 280

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 212

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 256

23 (tie). Rhode Island

Waterway next to buildings in Providence, Rhode Island. — Providence, Rhode Island.

Sanghwan Kim/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 237

Math average scale score, grade 8: 270

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 258

23 (tie). Florida

Lake surrounded by buildings in Orlando, Florida. — Orlando, Florida.

Kruck20/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 243

Math average scale score, grade 8: 267

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 218

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 253

22. Iowa

Buildings in Des Moines, Iowa. — Des Moines, Iowa.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 237

Math average scale score, grade 8: 275

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 215

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 261

21. Washington

Space Needle and buildings in Seattle, Washington. — Seattle, Washington.

photosvit/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 238

Math average scale score, grade 8: 274

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 259

20. Kentucky

Buildings next to water in Louisville, Kentucky. — Louisville, Kentucky.

alexeys/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 238

Math average scale score, grade 8: 271

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 218

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 258

18 (tie). Illinois

Chicago, Illinois skyline. — Chicago, Illinois.

marchello74/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 236

Math average scale score, grade 8: 277

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 214

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 262

18 (tie). Hawaii

Buildings on coastline in Honolulu, Hawaii. — Honolulu, Hawaii.

okimo/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 239

Math average scale score, grade 8: 270

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 257

17. Pennsylvania

Statue and buildings in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

f11photo/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 238

Math average scale score, grade 8: 276

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 259

16. Tennessee

Bridges in front of Nashville, Tennessee, skyline. — Nashville, Tennessee.

Kruck20/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 240

Math average scale score, grade 8: 276

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 215

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 259

14 (tie). South Dakota

Rapid City, South Dakota skyline. — Rapid City, South Dakota.

GummyBone/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 240

Math average scale score, grade 8: 281

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 214

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 260

14 (tie). Idaho

Buildings in Boise, Idaho. — Boise, Idaho.

Ben White/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 238

Math average scale score, grade 8: 278

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 261

13. North Dakota

Buildings at sunset in Fargo, North Dakota. — Fargo, North Dakota.

Sanghwan Kim/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 241

Math average scale score, grade 8: 280

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 257

12. Montana

Skyline of Billings, Montana. — Billings, Montana.

George Dodd/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 238

Math average scale score, grade 8: 279

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 217

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 261

11. Wisconsin

Buildings next to waterway in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. — Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Jon Mattrisch/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 239

Math average scale score, grade 8: 283

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 215

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 260

10. Minnesota

Bridge over water leading to buildings in Minneapolis, Minnesota. — Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 241

Math average scale score, grade 8: 282

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 214

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 260

9. Ohio

Buildings in Columbus, Ohio. — Columbus, Ohio.

Sean Reid/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 239

Math average scale score, grade 8: 279

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 216

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 260

8. Connecticut

Buildings in Hartford, Connecticut. — Hartford, Connecticut.

SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 239

Math average scale score, grade 8: 277

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 219

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 263

7. Colorado

Buildings in Denver, Colorado. — Denver, Colorado.

RoschetzkyIstockPhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 239

Math average scale score, grade 8: 278

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 221

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 265

6. Indiana

Homes and buildings in Indianapolis, Indiana. — Indianapolis, Indiana.

Nicholas Klein/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 240

Math average scale score, grade 8: 278

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 220

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 262

5. Wyoming

Skyline of Casper, Wyoming. — Casper, Wyoming.

GummyBone/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 243

Math average scale score, grade 8: 278

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 222

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 260

4. Utah

Buildings in Salt Lake City, Utah. — Salt Lake City, Utah.

Vadym Terelyuk/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 242

Math average scale score, grade 8: 282

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 219

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 261

3. New Hampshire

Buildings in Concord, New Hampshire. — Concord, New Hampshire.

Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images

Math average scale score, grade 4: 242

Math average scale score, grade 8: 280

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 221

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 264

2. New Jersey

Buildings in Newark, New Jersey. — Newark, New Jersey.

Ultima_Gaina/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 240

Math average scale score, grade 8: 282

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 222

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 266

1. Massachusetts

Buildings in Boston, Massachusetts. — Boston, Massachusetts.

Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Math average scale score, grade 4: 246

Math average scale score, grade 8: 283

Reading average scale score, grade 4: 225

Reading average scale score, grade 8: 268

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