Charlotte named among best US cities for quality schools. Where did it land?
Charlotte landed in the top 50 U.S. cities to live in for access to the best schools in 2026, according to a recent report.
The Queen City was ranked 26th in a Melbourne Business School Online study identifying major cities with access to high-quality education.
The report, released in January, analyzed cities based on 17 metrics across two key categories: quality of schools and quality of life. Contributing factors such as math and reading scores, class size, safety and cost of living were also considered.
The report compiled data from the U.S. census, College Board, NCES, Zillow and other sources. Individual metrics were weighed based on their impact on education and quality of life, then scored on a scale from 0-100.
Here’s where Charlotte shined:
How Charlotte ranked
Charlotte placed 26th out of 80 cities analyzed for their access to quality schooling, according to the study.
The city boasted an overall score of 51.32, earning high marks for its share of college-educated adults, smaller class sizes and 8th grade math scores. On the flip side, it struggled with walkability and housing costs.
Here’s a closer look at how the city fared in each metric (rank of 1 represents best conditions):
- Share of schools with an “A” Niche grade: 21
- Percent of population with a Bachelor’s degree (or higher): 64
- Student-teacher ratio: 11
- Walkability: 78
- Access to transit score: 53
- Cost of living index: 24
What are the best K-8 schools in Charlotte?
Over a dozen Charlotte-area schools earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Elementary and Middle Schools list, the Charlotte Observer previously reported.
The national rankings, published in October, recognize K-8 schools excelling in academics and student achievement.
“These rankings offer communities and families valuable insights into schools dedicated to preparing students for future success,” LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said at the time.
The best Charlotte-area elementary schools included:
- Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy in Charlotte (No. 1)
- Providence Spring Academy in Charlotte (No. 5)
- Pine Lake Preparatory in Mooresville (No. 8)
- Rea View Elementary in Waxhaw (No. 10)
- Weddington Elementary in Matthews (No. 13)
The metro’s top-rated middle schools include:
- Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy in Charlotte (No. 2)
- Marvin Ridge Middle School in Waxhaw (No. 3)
- The Brawley School in Mooresville (No. 4)
- Weddington Middle in Matthews (No. 7)
- Oakwood Middle School in Statesville (No. 8)
What are the best cities to live in for quality schools?
These cities led the pack in overall educational outcomes and quality of life, data show:
- Boston, Massachusetts (Score: 68.04)
- Seattle, Washington (Score: 61.52)
- Madison, Wisconsin (Score: 60.59)
- Jersey City, New Jersey (Score: 59.65)
- San Francisco, California (Score: 58.71)
- Buffalo, New York (Score: 57.23)
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Score: 57.13)
- Virginia Beach, Virginia (Score: 55.45)
- St. Louis, Missouri (Score: 55.43)
- San Diego, California (Score: 55.38)
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 2:22 PM.