Opportunity Rankings

In the land of opportunity, where upward mobility is as much a birthright as basic freedoms, economic and historic impediments sometimes stand in the way of progress. There are questions of racial disparity to be considered in a nation whose economy was founded on slavery and didn’t fully recognize the voting rights of African-Americans until the 1960s. There are questions of gender disparity in a nation that didn’t accord women the right to vote until 1920. These play out in educational terms, in the ability to attain the schooling that can elevate one’s social standing. And they play out in economic terms, in the ability to achieve equal pay for equal work with peers, or to afford an adequate home for a growing family.

New Hampshire is the top state for opportunity. It’s followed by Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Maryland to round out the top five. Five of the 10 states with the best opportunity also rank among the top 10 Best States overall.

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