business
Five Rio Grande Valley cities rank as least educated in U.S.: WalletHub report
By Shirley Escobedo at ValleyCentral
· July 3, 2026
· 1 min read
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Five cities in the Rio Grande Valley ranked as the least educated in America via a WalletHub report. Out of 150 large metropolitan areas, Brownsville and Harlingen ranked 148 for educational attainment and received a 14.81 score. McAllen, Edinburg and Mission ra...
Key takeaway Out of 150 large metropolitan areas, Brownsville and Harlingen ranked 148 for educational attainment and received a 14.
Why this matters in The Brownsville
The WalletHub report's findings that five Rio Grande Valley cities, including Brownsville, rank as the least educated in the US, raise concerns about the long-term economic prospects of the region. With major employers like SpaceX's Starbase launch site at Boca Chica and the Port of Brownsville driving growth, a skilled workforce is crucial to capitalize on these opportunities. The Brownsville ISD and other local education institutions face significant challenges in improving educational attainment, which could impact the region's ability to attract and retain high-paying jobs. As the area continues to grow, with the presence of the Port of Brownsville and the potential for increased economic activity, the need for a more educated workforce will become even more pressing, making it essential for local leaders to address these educational disparities and develop strategies to improve outcomes.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral . The Brownsville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Five cities in the Rio Grande Valley ranked as the least educated in America via a WalletHub report. Out of 150 large metropolitan areas, Brownsville and Harlingen ranked 148 for educational attainment and received a 14.81 score. McAllen, Edinburg and Mission ra...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by ValleyCentral and curated for The Brownsville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Shirley Escobedo at ValleyCentral. To learn more about how The Brownsville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The Brownsville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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