A new report from WalletHub ranks New York 39th in the nation for early education in 2025, highlighting major disparities in access, affordability, and investment compared to other states.
The personal finance site compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across 12 key metrics—including enrollment rates, income eligibility, quality benchmarks, and spending per child.
New York’s early education ranking by the numbers
While New York scored well in some categories, it lagged in critical areas of funding and accessibility:
- Overall rank: 39th out of 51
- 4th: Share of 3- and 4-year-olds enrolled in pre-K, special education, or Head Start
- 15th: Total Head Start spending per child
- 29th: Income requirement for state pre-K eligibility
- 33rd: Total state spending per preschooler
- 1st: Monthly childcare co-payment fees as a percent of family income (highest)
The high enrollment rates indicate strong demand, but New York’s low ranking in state spending suggests funding isn’t keeping pace with family needs.
Experts: Early education pays off, but funding gaps persist
WalletHub analysts and education experts emphasize the long-term value of early childhood education.
“The more that states invest in early education… the more they will benefit in the future,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “It leads to better school performance, job prospects, and economic growth.”
Dr. Christopher Lubienski, Director at Indiana University’s Center for Evaluation & Education Policy, said that family support systems, nutrition, and home stability often outweigh classroom variables—but early education is still a critical equalizer.
“Of course, not all children have equal access to good support systems outside of school. So early education is a crucial if imperfect way of helping all students succeed,” he said.
What New York gets right—and wrong
While New York ranks first for the cost burden of childcare fees as a percent of income—meaning families pay the most—it does rank 4th for early childhood enrollment, indicating strong demand and participation.
However, low state investment per child (ranked 33rd) and restrictive income requirements (29th) limit equitable access. This leaves families either ineligible or under-supported by state programs.
By comparison, Maryland, the top-ranked state, spends over $17,000 per child and has a robust auditing and safety infrastructure in place.
What can policymakers do?
Experts recommend equalizing school funding, listening to educators, and prioritizing early childhood programs without necessarily raising taxes.
“They can equalize funding,” said Lubienski. “Countries with more equitable systems see better outcomes, especially for poorer students.”
Robert Crosnoe, professor at The University of Texas at Austin, stressed the need to involve communities and treat early education as distinct from K-12 policy.
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