Close Menu
    Money

    How Every State Ranks in Math and Reading Test Scores

    Press RoomBy No Comments10 Mins Read

    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


    Buildings in Albuquerque, 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


    Buildings in Wheeling, West Virginia.

    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

    Sean Pavone/Getty Images/iStockphoto

    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

    Share.

    Related Posts

    Leave A Reply