The preferred view is that this is actually the statement of Hasan Basri (rahimahullah), the famous Tabi’i and not a Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam). (Mukhtasarul Maqasidil Hasanah, Hadith: 926)

As a hadeeth it is not saheeh. Al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadi said concerning it: It is mawdoo‘ (fabricated). Imam adh-Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Its text is fabricated. End quote from Mizaan al-I‘tidaal (3/517). Ash-Shawkaani mentioned it in al-Fawaa’id al-Majmoo‘ah (p. 17), and al-‘Aamiri mentioned it in al-Jadd al-Hatheeth fi Bayaan ma laysa bi Hadeeth (p. 203). Shaykh al-Albaani said in as-Silsilah ad-Da‘eefah (hadeeth no. 4832): This verdict (i.e., that it is fabricated) is what one feels comfortable with. End quote. Shaykh Muhammad Rasheed Rida said something similar in Majallat al-Manaar (3/698). 

Nevertheless, there are three points to bear in mind:

1. These words may still be quoted, but as the statement of Hasan Basri (rahimahullah).

2. The meaning of this is sufficiently supported by the statements of the Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum) and other sacred texts. Therefore several ‘Ulama have said that seeking sacred knowledge is better than Jihad.See Ma’alim Irshadiyyah, pgs.35-36.

3. The above refers to the excellence of acquiring sacred knowledge over voluntary jihad. (Ma’alim Irshadiyyah, bottom of pg.35)

 And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

4 links are below

https://hadithanswers.com/the-ink-of-the-scholars/
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/11920/hadeeths-that-differentiate-between-the-scholars-and-the-martyrs
https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/85115/the-ink-of-the-scholar-is-holier-than-the-blood-of-the-martyr
https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/17913