New Jersey has the best school systems in U.S., report says

As students get ready to head back to school, a published report finds that New Jersey has the best school systems in the United States.

The study, conducted by finance website Wallethub.com, analyzed 12 factors including student-teacher ratios, math and reading test scores, dropout rates and bullying incidents.

While New Jersey had the best overall rank, it also earned top honors in the “School System Quality Rank” category and ranked second in the “Education Output & Safety Rank,” according to the report.

The report also noted that New Jersey ranked fourth in math test scores, and tied for fourth in reading test scores. The state also ranked in the top five in lowest pupil-to-teacher ratio and safety.

Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Kansas rounded out the top five, respectively.

Wallethub.com used data from a wealth of sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Center for Educational Statistics and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.