According to published reports, 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.
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 percent of public school funding nationwide.
Property wealth, state funding policies, and labor costs help explain differences between school systems.