What states have the smallest and largest earnings gaps between college-educated men and women? The American Association of University Women (AAUW) report, "Women's Educational Gains and the Gender Earnings Gap" recently ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia by this criterion.
The report found that in the United States, the earnings gap between college educated men and women who work full-time year round was was 74% between 2003-2005, meaning these women made 26 cents less on the dollar nationally.
Which states fared the best in terms of the earnings gap? Here are the top 10 states, followed by their earnings gap percentage (figures rounded off):
1) West Virginia 89%
2) District of Columbia 89%
3) Vermont 83%
4) Alaska 82%
5) New York 82%
6) Maine 82%
7) Idaho 82%
8) North Dakota 81%
9) Nevada 78%
10) California 78%
Which states fared the worst? Here are the bottom 10 states in terms of the earnings gap:
42) Washington 71%
43) Massachusetts 70%
44) Florida 70%
45) Kansas 70%
46) Alabama 69%
47) South Carolina 68%
48) Indiana 67%
49) Virginia 67%
50) New Jersey 66%
51) Louisiana 64%
