South Carolina’s Early Education System Among Nation’s Best

WalletHub’s new 2025 “States with the Best & Worst Early Education Systems” ranking places South Carolina 8th nationally, making it one of the top-performing states in early childhood education.

Researchers evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia using 12 metrics across three dimensions: Access, Quality, and Resources & Economic Support, including factors such as the share of school districts offering state pre?K, enrollment rates, spending per child, eligibility thresholds, and cost burden on families.

South Carolina’s Strengths and Rankings

Within South Carolina’s early education system, the state ranks:

• 25th in the percentage of 3? and 4?year?olds enrolled in pre-K, pre?K special education, or Head Start
• 12th for parental income eligibility thresholds for state pre?K
• 15th for spending per child in State Head Start programs
• A notable 1st place in two categories:
  • Lowest monthly co?payment fees as a percent of family income
  • Highest share of school districts offering state pre?K programs

This means that while overall enrollment could improve, South Carolina provides broad access through district participation at minimal relative financial burden to families.
https://cdn.wallethub.com/wallethub/embed/62668/geochart-early-education-systems-2025.html

Source: WalletHub

Top Five and Bottom Five States in Early Education (2025)

Top 5 states with the strongest early education systems:

1. Maryland
2. District of Columbia
3. Arkansas
4. New Jersey
5. New Mexico

Bottom 5 states at the other extreme:

• Mississippi (rank?33)
• California (29)
• Nevada (27)
• Kansas (26)
• Virginia (25)

Expert Commentary

According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo:

“The more that states invest in early education … the more they will benefit in the future. Having access to quality early education gives students a jump start … leading to better job opportunities and higher earnings in the long term.”

Research cited by WalletHub also indicates that early education investments yield economic returns of up to $7.30 per dollar invested, through improved educational, workforce, and social outcomes later in life.

Sources:

• WalletHub’s 2025 report: States with the Best & Worst Early Education Systems (WalletHub)