During the academic year of 2021, around 18,614 constant 2022-23 U.S. dollars were spent on each pupil in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States. This is an increase from 1990, when 12,206 constant 2022-23 U.S. dollars were spent per pupil.

Graph and download economic data for Government current expenditures: Education (G160291A027NBEA) from 1959 to 2023 about expenditures, education, government, GDP, and USA.

In 2021, about 174.9 billion U.S. dollars were funded by the government for postsecondary education programs in the United States. A further 92.07 billion U.S. dollars were funded by the government for elementary and secondary education in that year.

In the 2024-25 school year, New York spent around ****** U.S. dollars per pupil on public elementary and secondary schools - the most out of any state. Vermont, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and New Jersey rounded out the top five states for elementary and secondary school expenditure per pupil.

Detailed tables showing the budget history of the U.S. Department of Education from FY 1980 to the FY 2018 President's Budget, by major program, and showing State allocations by State and by program from FY 1980-2017.

An average of 15,362 U.S. dollars were spent on each pupil in public elementary and secondary schools in the United States in the academic year of 2021. This is an increase from 1980, when 2,272 U.S. dollars were spent per pupil.

Government expenditure on education, total (% of GDP) in United States was reported at 5.44 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Public spending on education, total (% of GDP) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Historical chart and dataset showing North America education spending by year from 1972 to 2022.

The United States Department of Education had outlays of about 639.37 U.S. dollars in 2022. This was a significant increase from the previous year. By 2029, the outlays of the Department of Education are expected to decrease to 173.5 billion U.S. dollars.

This map shows the average amount spent on education per household in the U.S. in 2022 in a multiscale map (by country, state, county, ZIP Code, tract, and block group).The pop-up is configured to include the following information for each geography level:Average annual amount spent on education per householdAverage annual spending per household for tuition by education levelAverage annual spending per household for additional school necessitiesThis map shows Esri's 2022 U.S. Consumer Spending Data in Census 2020 geographies. The map adds increasing level of detail as you zoom in, from state, to county, to ZIP Code, to tract, to block group data.Esri's 2022 U.S. Consumer Spending database details which products and services consumers buy, including total dollars spent, average amount spent per household, and a Spending Potential Index. Esri's Consumer Spending database identifies hundreds of items in more than 15 categories, including apparel, food and beverage, financial, entertainment and recreation, and household goods and services. See Consumer Spending database to view the methodology statement and complete variable list.Additional Esri Resources:Esri DemographicsU.S. 2022/2027 Esri Updated DemographicsEssential demographic vocabularyThis item is for visualization purposes only and cannot be exported or used in analysis.Permitted use of this data is covered in the DATA section of the Esri Master Agreement (E204CW) and these supplemental terms.

Out of the OECD countries, Luxembourg was the country that spent the most on educational institutions per full-time student in 2020. On average, 23,000 U.S dollars were spent on primary education, nearly 27,000 U.S dollars on secondary education, and around 53,000 U.S dollars on tertiary education. The United States followed behind, with Norway in third. Meanwhile, the lowest spending was in Mexico.

This dataset contains school-level expenditures reported by major functional spending category starting with fiscal year 2019. It also includes school-level enrollment, demographic, and performance indicators as well as teacher salary and staffing data.

The dataset shows school-level per pupil expenditures by major functional expenditure categories and funding sources, including state and local funds (general fund and state grants) and federal funds.

School districts only report instructional expenditures by school. This report attributes other costs to each school on a per pupil basis to show a full resource picture. The three cost centers are:

1. Non-instructional per pupil spending reported at the school district level;
2. Instructional per pupil spending reported at the district level; and
3. Instructional per pupil spending reported at the school level

Economically Disadvantaged was used 2015-2021. Low Income was used prior to 2015, and a different version of Low Income has been used since 2022. Please see the DESE Researcher's Guide for more information.

This dataset is one of three containing the same data that is also published in the School Finance Dashboard: District Expenditures by Spending Category District Expenditures by Function Code School Expenditures by Spending Category

List of Indicators by Category

Student Enrollment

• In-District FTE Pupils
• Out-of-District FTE Pupils
• Total FTE Pupils

Student Demographics

• Student Headcount
• Low-Income % Headcount
• English Learner % Headcount
• Students with Disabilities % Headcount

Teacher Salaries

• Teacher FTE
• Teachers per 100 FTE Students
• Average Teacher Salary

Other Staff

• Instructional Coach FTE
• Instructional Support FTE
• Special Education Instructional Support FTE
• Paraprofessional FTE

MCAS Performance

• ELA Grades 3-8 % Meets Exceeds
• Math Grades 3-8 % Meets Exceeds
• ELA Grade 10 % Meets Exceeds
• Math Grade 10 % Meets Exceeds

District-Level FTE Pupils

District-Level State and Local Non-Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Administration
• Benefits and Fixed Costs
• Operations and Maintenance
• Pupil Services

District-Level Federal Non-Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Administration
• Benefits and Fixed Costs
• Operations and Maintenance
• Pupil Services

Sub-total A

District-Level State and Local Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Guidance and Psychological Services
• Instructional Leaders
• Instructional Materials
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Teachers

District-Level Federal Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Guidance and Psychological Services
• Instructional Leaders
• Instructional Materials
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Teachers

Sub-total B

School-Level State and Local Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Guidance and Psychological Services
• Instructional Leaders
• Instructional Materials
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Teachers

School-Level Federal Instructional Expenditures Per Pupil

• Guidance and Psychological Services
• Instructional Leaders
• Instructional Materials
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Teachers

Sub-total C

Total A+B+C

Historical chart and dataset showing Latin America & Caribbean education spending by year from 2000 to 2022.

In 2018, the national average for spending on elementary and secondary education was 3.1 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Vermont spent the most out of any state on elementary and secondary education, at 5.38 percent of its GDP.

Graph and download economic data for Total Construction Spending: Educational in the United States (TLEDUCON) from Jan 2002 to May 2025 about expenditures, education, construction, and USA.

In 2021, Luxembourg was the OECD country that spent the highest amount on higher education per student, reaching roughly 35,000 U.S. dollars. This was even though it was the country that spent the lowest amount in terms of share of gross domestic product. The United States followed behind, with the United Kingdom in third. On the other hand, Mexico was the OECD country in which the lowest amount was spent per full-time student in higher education.

Key Table Information.Table Title.Per Pupil Amounts for Current Spending of Public Elementary-Secondary School Systems in the United States: Fiscal Year 2012 - 2023.Table ID.GOVSTIMESERIES.GS00SS15.Survey/Program.Public Sector.Year.2024.Dataset.PUB Public Sector Annual Surveys and Census of Governments.Source.U.S. Census Bureau, Public Sector.Release Date.2025-05-01.Release Schedule.The Annual Survey of School System Finances occurs every year. Data are typically released in early May. There are approximately two years between the reference period and data release..Dataset Universe.Census of Governments - Organization (CG):The universe of this file is all federal, state, and local government units in the United States. In addition to the federal government and the 50 state governments, the Census Bureau recognizes five basic types of local governments. The government types are: County, Municipal, Township, Special District, and School District. Of these five types, three are categorized as General Purpose governments: County, municipal, and township governments are readily recognized and generally present no serious problem of classification. However, legislative provisions for school district and special district governments are diverse. These two types are categorized as Special Purpose governments. Numerous single-function and multiple-function districts, authorities, commissions, boards, and other entities, which have varying degrees of autonomy, exist in the United States. The basic pattern of these entities varies widely from state to state. Moreover, various classes of local governments within a particular state also differ in their characteristics. Refer to the Individual State Descriptions report for an overview of all government entities authorized by state.The Public Use File provides a listing of all independent government units, and dependent school districts active as of fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The Annual Surveys of Public Employment & Payroll (EP) and State and Local Government Finances (LF):The target population consists of all 50 state governments, the District of Columbia, and a sample of local governmental units (counties, cities, townships, special districts, school districts). In years ending in '2' and '7' the entire universe is canvassed. In intervening years, a sample of the target population is surveyed. Additional details on sampling are available in the survey methodology descriptions for those years.The Annual Survey of Public Pensions (PP):The target population consists of state- and locally-administered defined benefit funds and systems of all 50 state governments, the District of Columbia, and a sample of local governmental units (counties, cities, townships, special districts, school districts). In years ending in '2' and '7' the entire universe is canvassed. In intervening years, a sample of the target population is surveyed. Additional details on sampling are available in the survey methodology descriptions for those years.The Annual Surveys of State Government Finance (SG) and State Government Tax Collections (TC):The target population consists of all 50 state governments. No local governments are included. For the purpose of Census Bureau statistics, the term "state government" refers not only to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of a given state, but it also includes agencies, institutions, commissions, and public authorities that operate separately or somewhat autonomously from the central state government but where the state government maintains administrative or fiscal control over their activities as defined by the Census Bureau. Additional details are available in the survey methodology description.The Annual Survey of School System Finances (SS):The Annual Survey of School System Finances targets all public school systems providing elementary and/or secondary education in all 50 states and the District of Columbia..Methodology.Data Items and Other Identifying Records.Fall enrollmentTotal current spending per pupilCurrent spending per pupil - All functions - Salaries and wagesCurrent spending per pupil - All functions - Employee benefitsCurrent spending per pupil - Instruction - TotalCurrent spending per pupil - Instruction - Salaries and wagesCurrent spending per pupil - Instruction - Employee benefitsCurrent spending per pupil - Support services - TotalCurrent spending per pupil - Support services - Pupil support servicesCurrent spending per pupil - Support services - Instructional staff supportCurrent spending per pupil - Support services - General administrationCurrent spending per pupil - Support services - School administrationDefinitions can be found by clicking on the column header in the table or by accessing the Glossary.For detailed information, see Government Finance and Employment Classification Manual..Unit(s) of Observation.The basic reporting unit is the governmental unit, defined as an organized entity which in addition...

This dataset includes expenditure data reported by school districts, charter schools, and virtual schools starting with fiscal year 2009. It also includes student enrollment, demographic, and performance indicators as well as teacher salary and staffing data.

In addition to showing the overall cost per pupil, this dataset provides detail about how much districts spend in major functional areas such as administration, teaching, and maintenance. For more information about the data and how to interpret it, please visit the School Finance Dashboard.

Economically Disadvantaged was used 2015-2021. Low Income was used prior to 2015, and a different version of Low Income has been used since 2022. Please see the DESE Researcher's Guide for more information.

This dataset is one of three containing the same data that is also published in the School Finance Dashboard: District Expenditures by Spending Category District Expenditures by Function Code School Expenditures by Spending Category

List of Indicators by Category

Student Enrollment

• In-District FTE Pupils
• Out-of-District FTE Pupils
• Total FTE Pupils

Student Demographics

• Student Headcount
• Low-Income % Headcount
• English Learner % Headcount
• Students with Disabilities % Headcount

Teacher Salaries

• Teacher FTE
• Teachers per 100 FTE Students
• Average Teacher Salary

Other Staff

• Instructional Coach FTE
• Instructional Support FTE
• Special Education Instructional Support FTE
• Paraprofessional FTE

MCAS Performance

• ELA Grades 3-8 % Meets Exceeds
• Math Grades 3-8 % Meets Exceeds
• ELA Grade 10 % Meets Exceeds
• Math Grade 10 % Meets Exceeds

Expenditures

• Administration
• Instructional Leadership
• Teachers
• Other Teaching Services
• Professional Development
• Instructional Materials, Equipment and Technology
• Guidance, Counseling and Testing
• Pupil Services
• Operations and Maintenance
• Insurance, Retirement Programs and Other
• Total In-District Expenditures
• Total Expenditures

The Educational Services sector comprises 13 subsectors of the US economy, ranging from public schools to testing and educational support services. Primary, secondary and postsecondary schools alone generate 92.0% of the sector's revenue. Most of these institutions rely entirely on government funding, and nearly three-quarters of the educational services revenue comes from public schools and public universities. Accordingly, strong federal, state and local support for all levels of education has driven revenue upward over the past five years. Expanding discretionary budgets made private schools and higher education more affordable for students and parents, but the Trump administration's changing policies have brought new complications. Still, substantial funding and skyrocketing investment returns for private nonprofit universities have elevated revenue. Revenue has climbed at a CAGR of 4.6% to an estimated $2.7 trillion through the end of 2025, when revenue will rise by 1.1%. Solid state and local government funding for education has helped support the sector's success despite fluctuating enrollment. Faltering birth rates are leading to lower headcounts in K-12 schools, and ballooning student debt has made many would-be college students skeptical of the return on investment of an expensive degree. While student loan forgiveness efforts slowed a decline in the number of college students, the new presidential administration's end to these efforts has begun to exacerbate price-based and quality-based competition among higher education institutions. President Trump's scrutiny of course curricula has made public funds harder to acquire for schools, and the administration's efforts to close the Department of Education have begun to deter would-be students from attending college. Trends in the domestic economy are set to move in the Educational Services sector's favor over the next five years as prospective students become better able to pay for rising tuition rates and premium education options. Government funding for primary, secondary and postsecondary institutions will continue to escalate through the next period, though lackluster enrollment will temper revenue growth. Public schools, which account for over half the sector's revenue, will continue to post losses and drag down the average profit for educational services. New school choice initiatives, including Texas's new, largest-ever voucher program, will make private schools more affordable for parents. However, heightened oversight and continued efforts to close the Department of Education will remain a significant pain point for many educational services. Overall, revenue is set to climb at a CAGR of 0.8% to $2.8 trillion through the end of 2030.

The FY 2017 System-Wide Report is the report of final DOE expenses. FY 2017 began on July 1, 2016 and ended on June 30, 2017. The financial data used in the FY 2017 System-Wide Report represents the DOE’s 2017 year-end audited spending condition. In addition to using the audited school registers as of October 31, 2016 for pupil counts, pupil enrollment data has been refined to count students with disabilities with Individual Education Programs (IEPs) for specialized classroom instruction based on their program recommendations as of December 31, 2016.