Building Blocks: Can success with early education be repeated at all levels?
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Lest anyone wonder whether companies such as WalletHub do nothing but slam our region, there is another recent report in which West Virginia shines. "States with the Best and Worst Early Education Systems (2026)" ranks the Mountain State fifth in the country. Only Washington, D.C., Arkansas, Maryland and New Jersey score better.
In this study, West Virginia is 8th for access, 9th for quality and 14th for resources and economic support. That's impressive enough, but it is also among only 12 states with universal pre-K.
WalletHub estimates every dollar invested in early education programs for disadvantaged families can generate $7.30 in economic benefits "by helping children become healthier and higher-earning adults."
Ohio, meanwhile, ranks 32nd overall -- 31st for access, 24th for quality and 35th for resources and economic support. While middle-of-the-pack may be acceptable for those in Columbus, at least there has been progress on one front, as Ohio is ranked 46th for monthly child care co-payment fees as a percentage of family income.
"The more that states invest in early education, and the more accessible they make those programs, the more they will benefit in the future," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "Having access to quality early education gives students a jump start that can improve their future performance in school, as well as lead to better job opportunities and higher earnings in the long-term. A better-educated, higher-earning population will in turn bring economic benefits back to the state."
If West Virginia is starting with providing the best possible early education, surely policymakers plan to work their way up with investments and improvements of a similar magnitude at all levels. For now, though, we can commend those who have dedicated themselves to providing a top-tier early education for our kids.