Two cities in Washington on list of most educated in the US

Two cities in Washington made the list of “most educated cities in the U.S.,” according to a new report by WalletHub. Researchers used 11 key metrics to compile the rankings.

The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is #9 on the list, while Spokane-Spokane Valley came in at #61. The Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro area was #16.

In a news release about its research, Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst said, “Higher education doesn’t guarantee better financial opportunities in the future, but it certainly correlates with it.” He noted the most educated cities provide good learning opportunities from childhood through the graduate level, adding, “In addition to overall education, it’s also important to look at how well cities promote educational equality when it comes to race and gender.”

The top five most educated cities on the overall rankings were Ann Arbor, MI, Durham-Chapel Hill, NC, Madison, WI, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV.

Analysts at WalletHub noted research shows “that a skilled and educated workforce provides a significant boost to the economy." The company assembled a panel of experts to discuss the findings, identify the top education issues, and the most important steps that can be taken to develop a more educated and skilled workforce. Panelists were also asked how the U.S. can reform is immigration policy to attract and retain highly educated workers from abroad.

Of the five least educated MSA on the list of 150 cities, three were in California and two were in Texas.

Data used for the rankings were collected in early June from the U.S. Census Bureau, GreatSchools.org, Education Equality Index, Yelp, and WalletHub research.