Massachusetts Schools & Education
School quality and education data for all 14 counties.
Avg Graduation Rate
88.1%
Avg Per-Pupil Spending
$13,582
Avg School Score
67/100
Total Schools
1,837
399 districts
State Overview
About Schools in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Sets a High National Benchmark
Massachusetts outpaces the nation with an average graduation rate of 88.1%, surpassing the 87.0% national average. The state invests $13,582 per pupil, which is nearly $600 more than the national median spending. These figures contribute to a robust school score of 66.7, placing the Commonwealth well above the national median of 50.0.
Wide Disparities Across 14 Massachusetts Counties
Graduation rates vary significantly across the state, ranging from a high of 92.4% in Barnstable County to a low of 74.0% in Suffolk County. While the average school score is high, a nearly 26-point gap exists between the top-performing and bottom-performing districts. This variation highlights the different challenges faced by urban centers versus the coastal regions.
Strong Returns on Higher Per-Pupil Spending
The state sees a clear return on its $13,582 average investment, maintaining a graduation rate above the national benchmark. High-spending areas like Dukes County, which invests $21,423 per student, achieve impressive 92.0% graduation rates. Conversely, Bristol County spends the least at $10,941 per student while still managing a respectable 90.2% graduation rate.
Dukes and Barnstable Lead the Commonwealth
Dukes County leads the state with a top school score of 85.7 and an elite 92.0% graduation rate. Nantucket and Barnstable follow closely, with Barnstable boasting the state's highest graduation rate at 92.4%. These coastal counties consistently combine higher-than-average per-pupil spending with superior academic outcomes.
Massachusetts Remains a Leader in Public Education
With a graduation rate of 88.1% and scores well above the national median, Massachusetts remains an elite state for public education. Families seeking the highest performance should focus on Dukes and Barnstable counties for top-tier results. While urban centers like Suffolk show room for improvement, the state’s overall investment continues to drive nationwide success.
Top Performing School Counties
All Massachusetts Counties
| County | School Score |
|---|---|
| Dukes County | 86/100 |
| Nantucket County | 73/100 |
| Barnstable County | 72/100 |
| Middlesex County | 68/100 |
| Norfolk County | 67/100 |
| Berkshire County | 66/100 |
| Hampshire County | 66/100 |
| Suffolk County | 64/100 |
| Plymouth County | 64/100 |
| Worcester County | 64/100 |
| Essex County | 63/100 |
| Bristol County | 62/100 |
| Hampden County | 61/100 |
| Franklin County | 60/100 |
— = data pending from NCES pipeline.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.