How Public School Funding Compares Across U.S. States
Key Takeaways
- New York ($37,469) and Washington, D.C. ($36,698) lead the U.S. in public school funding per student.
- State and local sources supply nearly 90% of public school funding nationwide.
- Property wealth, state funding policies, and labor costs help explain differences between school systems.
Public schools across the United States receive an average of $21,065 in funding per student, but the amount varies considerably depending on where students live.
This map compares public school funding per student across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., using 2023–24 figures from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The figures measure revenue received from local, state, and federal sources rather than spending exclusively on classroom instruction.
The Northeast Leads in School Funding
The Northeast leads the nation in public school funding per student. New York tops the rankings at $37,469, followed by Washington, D.C. ($36,698), Vermont ($32,346), and New Jersey ($30,916).
Connecticut and Massachusetts also rank among the top six, highlighting the region’s concentration of well-funded public school systems.
At the other end, North Carolina received $13,227 per student, narrowly below Idaho ($13,319). This means New York received nearly three times as much funding per student as North Carolina.
The table below ranks U.S. states and Washington, D.C., by public school funding per student in 2024.
| Rank | State or District | Public-school funding per student, $ (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 37,469 |
| 2 | D.C. | 36,698 |
| 3 | Vermont | 32,346 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 30,916 |
| 5 | Connecticut | 28,075 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 27,933 |
| 7 | Hawaii | 26,135 |
| 8 | Illinois | 26,107 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 25,270 |
| 10 | California | 25,265 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 25,025 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 24,706 |
| 13 | Maryland | 23,944 |
| 14 | New Mexico | 23,280 |
| 15 | Wyoming | 23,008 |
| 16 | Maine | 22,556 |
| 17 | Delaware | 22,207 |
| 18 | Oregon | 22,098 |
| 19 | Washington | 21,944 |
| 20 | Alaska | 21,927 |
| 21 | Michigan | 21,318 |
| 22 | Minnesota | 21,146 |
| 23 | North Dakota | 20,776 |
| 24 | Ohio | 19,930 |
| 25 | Colorado | 19,695 |
| 26 | West Virginia | 19,583 |
| 27 | Virginia | 19,333 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | 19,259 |
| 29 | South Carolina | 19,163 |
| 30 | Louisiana | 18,884 |
| 31 | Nevada | 18,619 |
| 32 | Nebraska | 18,541 |
| 33 | Kansas | 18,500 |
| 34 | Georgia | 18,497 |
| 35 | Missouri | 17,774 |
| 36 | Alabama | 17,408 |
| 37 | Iowa | 17,353 |
| 38 | Indiana | 17,113 |
| 39 | Kentucky | 16,976 |
| 40 | Montana | 16,813 |
| 41 | Florida | 16,653 |
| 42 | South Dakota | 16,476 |
| 43 | Texas | 16,159 |
| 44 | Arkansas | 15,555 |
| 45 | Tennessee | 15,440 |
| 46 | Mississippi | 15,256 |
| 47 | Arizona | 15,211 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | 14,244 |
| 49 | Utah | 14,095 |
| 50 | Idaho | 13,319 |
| 51 | North Carolina | 13,227 |
| -- | U.S. average | 21,065 |
Funding differences are also substantial among the nation’s most populous states. California received $25,265 per student, roughly $9,100 more than Texas and $8,600 more than Florida.
Higher funding does not necessarily translate into proportionately greater resources, however. Regional differences in wages and purchasing power affect how far education dollars go. Several Northeastern states also rank among the best-performing states in education, although funding alone does not explain those outcomes.
The Importance of Property Tax
School funding depends heavily on decisions made close to home. State and local sources supplied over 88% of public school revenue nationwide in 2023–24, with federal funding providing the remainder.
Local funding relies substantially on property taxes. Districts with more valuable homes and commercial property can raise more money at the same tax rate than districts with smaller tax bases. State aid formulas often aim to narrow this gap by directing more support toward districts with less capacity to raise revenue.
States also make choices about which students need additional resources. California, for example, provides supplemental funding for English learners, students from low-income families, and foster youth, with additional funding where those students represent a large share of enrollment. As a result, statewide averages can conceal substantial differences between districts.
What School Funding Actually Pays For
Education is labor-intensive. Salaries and employee benefits accounted for 77% of day-to-day public school spending in 2023–24. These expenses support teachers, classroom aides, counselors, bus drivers, maintenance staff, and other school employees.
The cost of providing these services varies by location. Schools operate in different labor markets, and regional wage differences affect how much funding is needed to hire staff. A larger budget in a high-cost area does not necessarily translate into a proportionately larger workforce.
Student needs and geography also influence costs. Special education, language support, and transportation can require additional resources, while small or isolated districts have fewer students over whom to spread fixed expenses. Understanding whether funding is sufficient therefore requires considering the services schools must provide, alongside the dollars they receive.
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