North Carolina Towns Ranked Among the Least Educated in America

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WalletHub recently ranked 150 of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. based on various educational metrics.

These factors included the percentage of adults with education beyond high school, the quality of public schools and universities, and gaps in education based on race and gender.

Some cities in North Carolina performed did not well in this analysis & lagged behind. Here’s how North Carolina cities ranked:

• Greensboro: Ranked 101st overall, with a total score of 48.90. While the city’s educational attainment ranked lower at 108, its quality of education and attainment gap fared better at 35.
• Fayetteville: Ranked 106th overall, with a score of 47.95. Its educational attainment was ranked 118, but it shined in addressing education gaps, placing 9th in that category.
• Winston-Salem: Placed 113th with a total score of 45.56. It ranked 119th in educational attainment, and 39th in addressing education gaps.
• Hickory: Ranked 144th with a total score of 26.91, with its educational attainment ranking 141st and quality of education and attainment gap ranking 140th.

This ranking highlights a mix of strong and weak points for North Carolina cities when it comes to education.

What Do You Think?

It's clear from WalletHub's study that there is room for improvement when it comes to education in several North Carolina cities. While some cities like Fayetteville are addressing education gaps effectively, others, such as Hickory, are struggling across both attainment and quality of education.

Do these rankings reflect your experience living in or near these cities? What steps do you think could be taken to improve educational outcomes in the state?

Your perspective on what works—or doesn’t—can shed light on potential solutions for future growth. Share your thoughts!