Least Educated States

 

Where does AL rank in education? Here's WalletHub's survey results

Jennifer Lindahl

Montgomery Advertiser

Feb. 10, 2026, 11:31 a.m. CT

States at the bottom of the rankings

When it comes to education, Alabama is trailing much of the nation. A new WalletHub survey ranks the state 43rd out of 50 for overall educational performance, highlighting persistent challenges in both college attainment and school quality. 

Here are the states that rank in the bottom 10 of WalletHub’s survey.

1. West Virginia
2. Mississippi
3. Louisiana
4. Arkansas
5. Nevada
6. Oklahoma
7. Kentucky
8. Alabama
9. New Mexico
10. Texas