Louisiana Education Ranking Released for 2026

LOUISIANA - Louisiana's public school system has historically struggled in national rankings. But there have been signs that things are turning around in recent years. Then again, it depends on which report you believe.

The folks at the personal-finance company WalletHub have just published the results of its report on the States with the Best & Worst School Systems in 2026, and if you believe the findings, education in Louisiana still leaves a bit to be desired.

How WalletHub Measured School Performance

WalletHub compared the 50 states along with the District of Columbia across 32 key measures of quality and safety. The data ranges from pupil-teacher ratio and dropout rate to median standardized-test scores.

Get our free mobile app

How Louisiana Ranked in Key Education Categories

After all the numbers were crunched, Louisiana ranked 44th overall (or 8th worst). Below is how the Bayou State ranked in some of the key metrics:

Quality & Safety of Schools in Louisiana (1 = Best; 25 = Avg.):

Overall Rank: 44th
38th - Math Test Scores
24th - Reading Test Scores
24th - Pupil-Teacher Ratio
43rd - Median ACT Score
47th - % of Licensed/Certified Public K-12 Teachers
31st - Dropout Rate
38th - Bullying Incidence Rate
45th - % of Threatened/Injured High School Students

Source: WalletHub

Why Funding Alone Doesn't Guarantee Success

"Getting enough funding is essential for a productive school system, but simply having more money doesn’t guarantee success. How funds are applied also plays a big role in how good a school system is, as does the quality of educators, other professionals and the curriculum," said Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst. "In addition, schools need to focus not just on test scores but also on making sure that students feel safe, comfortable and cared for."

Which States Ranked Highest?

On the flip side, here are the top 5 states with the best public school systems, according to WalletHub:

Massachusetts
Connecticut
New Jersey
New Hampshire
Wisconsin

Read the Complete National Rankings

For the full report on the best and worst school systems in America, visit https://wallethub.com/edu/e/states-with-the-best-schools/5335.

Louisiana’s 6 Best Private Schools Ranked

For many Louisiana parents, choosing the right school is one of the biggest decisions they'll make for their children. While public schools educate the majority of students across the state, private schools continue to attract families looking for smaller class sizes, college-preparatory programs, faith-based education, and specialized learning opportunities.

With hundreds of private schools operating throughout Louisiana, a handful consistently stand out for academic excellence, student success, college placement rates, extracurricular opportunities, and overall reputation.

U.S. News & World Report has released their list of what they say are the 6 best private schools in Louisiana

Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott