Despite Black Voters Electing Thousands of Democrats Over the Past 60 Years, NY Schools Stay Segregated and Ranked Among Worst States for Racial Equality in Education

New York ranks among the states with the largest racial disparities in education, according to a new study from WalletHub.

Although school segregation was ruled unconstitutional more than 70 years ago, educational outcomes and access to resources continue to vary significantly by race across the United States.

A 2025 study from Brown University found that school districts with lower percentages of Black and Hispanic students receive roughly $900 to $1,000 more per student in funding than districts serving larger shares of those populations. Researchers concluded that decades of school finance reforms have not fully eliminated racial funding gaps.

According to WalletHub, those disparities can contribute to differences in educational achievement and, ultimately, employment and income opportunities later in life.

"It is essential to ensure that all school districts receive sufficient funding, the latest technology and equal opportunities for tutoring and extracurricular activities, regardless of their racial composition," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. "This will help bridge racial gaps in test scores and graduation rates and promote equal opportunities for higher education and employment."

To determine which states have the most racial equality in education, WalletHub compared all 50 states across six measures, including educational attainment, graduation rates and standardized test scores among Black and white residents.

New York ranked No. 44 overall, making it the seventh-worst state for racial equality in education, according to WalletHub. [MORE] and [MORE]