CA Among Worst States For Racial Equality In Education In New Report

California ranked among the worst states in the nation for racial equality in education, according to a new WalletHub report.

More than 70 years after the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision ended legal school segregation, WalletHub said significant disparities in educational outcomes remain.

The personal finance website ranked California 43rd overall in its analysis of racial gaps between Black and white residents in education outcomes.

The findings mirror concerns raised by California education researchers. The Public Policy Institute of California reported that longstanding achievement gaps persist across the state's K-12 system, with Black students continuing to trail white students in English and math proficiency. In 2025, only 33 percent of Black students met state English standards and 20 percent met math standards, compared with much higher rates among white students.

WalletHub compared all 50 states across six metrics, including high school and college attainment, standardized test scores, SAT and ACT scores, and public high school graduation rates.

California ranked 38th for the gap in the share of adults with at least a bachelor’s degree, 44th for standardized test scores, 47th for mean SAT scores, 43rd for average ACT scores and 38th for public high school graduation rates.

Wyoming ranked first overall, followed by West Virginia, New Mexico, Oregon and Kentucky. Wisconsin ranked last, followed by Connecticut, New Jersey, Nebraska and Minnesota.

“Promoting racial equality in education can have a significant impact on promoting equality in the overall economy,” said Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst. “It is essential to ensure that all school districts receive sufficient funding, the latest technology, and equal opportunities for tutoring and extracurricular activities, regardless of their racial composition.”

The report WalletHub school finance reforms have not eliminated racial funding gaps nationwide. Districts serving fewer Black and Hispanic students still receive about $900 to $1,000 more per student on average, according to the report.

The report comes decades after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education declared school segregation unconstitutional. While students can no longer legally be denied enrollment because of race, disparities in school resources and outcomes persist, WalletHub said.

Top 10 States For Racial Equality In Education

1. Wyoming
2. West Virginia
3. New Mexico
4. Oregon
5. Kentucky
6. Vermont
7. Maine
8. North Dakota
9. Tennessee
10. Hawaii

Bottom 10 States For Racial Equality In Education

1. South Carolina
2. Massachusetts
3. California
4. New York
5. Pennsylvania
6. Minnesota
7. Nebraska
8. New Jersey
9. Connecticut
10. Wisconsin

The rankings were based on data collected as of May 5 from the U.S. Census Bureau, National Center for Education Statistics, ACT and College Board.

Education researchers have noted that despite California's school funding reforms, racial achievement gaps have remained stubbornly persistent. The California School Boards Association reported that the gap between Black and white students in English and math has changed little in recent years.