States With The Best Higher Education

Attending college in Virginia just makes good sense. The state boasts a stellar 15-to-1 student-faculty ratio and a 70 percent graduation rate. The average 20-year return on investment for graduates is $442,000, and a few prestigious schools such as University of Virginia and the College of William & Mary call it home.

Virginia ranked first in SmartAsset’s list of the best states for higher education. The results were based on several factors, such as the undergraduate graduation rate, the average net price, the 20-year return on investment, and the in-state attendance rate.

California, Iowa, New Jersey, and Michigan are among other states that have excellent state colleges and universities.

Nevada is No. 50. The student-faculty ratio for colleges in the Silver State is higher than average. Plus, the average graduation rate is low. Georgia, Maine and Idaho are some of the other states that ranked poorly.

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