Early education systems or pre-K education are essential for children. According to a survey, early learning increases high school graduation by nearly 14%.

However, not all states in the U.S. prioritize early education systems, so here is a list of five states with the best early education systems and five states with the worst early education systems, according to a study by WalletHub.

Five States with the Best Early Education Systems

Arkansas

Arkansas has the best early education system due to its high quality and prioritized spending on early education. The state received an overall rank of one, and its total score is 81.83. The Natural state ranks fifth in terms of access and is the second best in terms of quality. The state is also ranked fourth in resources and economic support.

District of Columbia

The District of Columbia is the second-best state for high-quality early education systems, with a total score of 74.47.

D.C. is ranked as the best state for access to early education systems, but it ranks twenty-fourth in terms of quality. The state is also ranked sixth in resources and economic support.

Nebraska

Nebraska is the third-best state for high-quality early education systems, with a total score of 74.46. The Cornhusker State is ranked seventh in access and fourth in quality of early education systems. Nebraska is also ranked twenty-fourth in resources and economic support.

Maryland

Maryland received an overall rank of four for early education, with a total score of 72.66. The Free State is ranked fourteenth in access, and it is the second-best state for quality early education systems. Maryland is also ranked twenty-second in resources and economic support.

Oregon

Oregon received an overall rank of five for early education, with a total score of 70.08. The Beaver State is ranked thirteenth in access and nineteenth in quality of early education systems. Oregon is also ranked as the best state for resources and economic support.

Five states with the worst early education systems

Indiana

Indiana is the worst state for early education systems, ranked at the bottom with an overall rank of fifty-one and a total score of 25.53.

The Hoosier State is ranked fifty-first in access and thirty-first in quality of early education systems. Indiana is also ranked thirty-seventh for resources and economic support.

North Dakota

North Dakota is the second worst state for early education systems, with an overall rank of fifty and a total score of 34.50.

The Peace Garden State is ranked thirty-third in access and forty-eight in quality of early education systems. North Dakota is also ranked fifty-first for resources and economic support.

Missouri

Missouri is the third-worst state for early education systems, with an overall rank of forty-nine and a total score of 35.03.

The Show-Me State is ranked thirty-sixth in access and forty-ninth in quality of early education systems. Missouri is also ranked forty-sixth for resources and economic support.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts received an overall rank of forty-eight for early education systems, with a total score of 37.69.

The Bay State is ranked forty-sixth in access and forty-seventh in quality of early education systems. Massachusetts is also ranked twenty-fifth for resources and economic support.

Minnesota

Minnesota received an overall rank of forty-seven for early education systems, with a total score of 38.04.

The North Star State’s access rank is fifty, and its quality rank is forty. Minnesota is also ranked eighth for resources and economic support.