Do a state's poorer school districts spend more per student, or less?

In 42 of the 46 states measured, the quarter of districts with the most children in poverty spent more per student in fiscal year 2023-24 than the quarter with the fewest. Alaska's poorest quarter spent 238.8% of what its least-poor quarter did ($45,055 against $18,865), the most of any state; Connecticut's spent 91.4% ($23,800 against $26,040), the least. Above 100% the poorer districts spend more.

U.S. Census Bureau: school system finances fiscal year 2023-24, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates 2024 · districts with 500 or more students · this page first published · data checked · method

Equal spending100.0%46 states measured
Poorer districts spend most238.8%Alaska
Poorer districts spend least91.4%Connecticut
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor by stateAK 239%; AL 118%; AR 118%; AZ 125%; CA 121%; CO 115%; CT 91%; FL 103%; GA 108%; IA 119%; ID 102%; IL 108%; IN 120%; KS 120%; KY 102%; LA 113%; MA 119%; MD 125%; ME 99%; MI 117%; MN 133%; MO 113%; MS 132%; MT 111%; NC 110%; ND 146%; NE 128%; NH 101%; NJ 102%; NM 130%; NY 109%; OH 125%; OK 120%; OR 99%; PA 97%; RI 120%; SC 117%; SD 142%; TN 114%; TX 121%; UT 115%; VA 103%; WA 106%; WI 118%; WV 104%; WY 105%AK: 239%AK239%ME: 99%ME99%WI: 118%WI118%VTNH: 101%NH101%WA: 106%WA106%ID: 102%ID102%MT: 111%MT111%ND: 146%ND146%MN: 133%MN133%IL: 108%IL108%MI: 117%MI117%NY: 109%NY109%MA: 119%MA119%OR: 99%OR99%NVWY: 105%WY105%SD: 142%SD142%IA: 119%IA119%IN: 120%IN120%OH: 125%OH125%PA: 97%PA97%NJ: 102%NJ102%CT: 91%CT91%RI: 120%RI120%CA: 121%CA121%UT: 115%UT115%CO: 115%CO115%NE: 128%NE128%MO: 113%MO113%KY: 102%KY102%WV: 104%WV104%VA: 103%VA103%MD: 125%MD125%DEAZ: 125%AZ125%NM: 130%NM130%KS: 120%KS120%AR: 118%AR118%TN: 114%TN114%NC: 110%NC110%SC: 117%SC117%DCOK: 120%OK120%LA: 113%LA113%MS: 132%MS132%AL: 118%AL118%GA: 108%GA108%HITX: 121%TX121%FL: 103%FL103%
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor by stateAK 239%; AL 118%; AR 118%; AZ 125%; CA 121%; CO 115%; CT 91%; FL 103%; GA 108%; IA 119%; ID 102%; IL 108%; IN 120%; KS 120%; KY 102%; LA 113%; MA 119%; MD 125%; ME 99%; MI 117%; MN 133%; MO 113%; MS 132%; MT 111%; NC 110%; ND 146%; NE 128%; NH 101%; NJ 102%; NM 130%; NY 109%; OH 125%; OK 120%; OR 99%; PA 97%; RI 120%; SC 117%; SD 142%; TN 114%; TX 121%; UT 115%; VA 103%; WA 106%; WI 118%; WV 104%; WY 105%AK: 239%AK239%ME: 99%ME99%WI: 118%WI118%VTNH: 101%NH101%WA: 106%WA106%ID: 102%ID102%MT: 111%MT111%ND: 146%ND146%MN: 133%MN133%IL: 108%IL108%MI: 117%MI117%NY: 109%NY109%MA: 119%MA119%OR: 99%OR99%NVWY: 105%WY105%SD: 142%SD142%IA: 119%IA119%IN: 120%IN120%OH: 125%OH125%PA: 97%PA97%NJ: 102%NJ102%CT: 91%CT91%RI: 120%RI120%CA: 121%CA121%UT: 115%UT115%CO: 115%CO115%NE: 128%NE128%MO: 113%MO113%KY: 102%KY102%WV: 104%WV104%VA: 103%VA103%MD: 125%MD125%DEAZ: 125%AZ125%NM: 130%NM130%KS: 120%KS120%AR: 118%AR118%TN: 114%TN114%NC: 110%NC110%SC: 117%SC117%DCOK: 120%OK120%LA: 113%LA113%MS: 132%MS132%AL: 118%AL118%GA: 108%GA108%HITX: 121%TX121%FL: 103%FL103%
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor by stateAK 239%; AL 118%; AR 118%; AZ 125%; CA 121%; CO 115%; CT 91%; FL 103%; GA 108%; IA 119%; ID 102%; IL 108%; IN 120%; KS 120%; KY 102%; LA 113%; MA 119%; MD 125%; ME 99%; MI 117%; MN 133%; MO 113%; MS 132%; MT 111%; NC 110%; ND 146%; NE 128%; NH 101%; NJ 102%; NM 130%; NY 109%; OH 125%; OK 120%; OR 99%; PA 97%; RI 120%; SC 117%; SD 142%; TN 114%; TX 121%; UT 115%; VA 103%; WA 106%; WI 118%; WV 104%; WY 105%AK: 239%AKME: 99%MEWI: 118%WIVTNH: 101%NHWA: 106%WAID: 102%IDMT: 111%MTND: 146%NDMN: 133%MNIL: 108%ILMI: 117%MINY: 109%NYMA: 119%MAOR: 99%ORNVWY: 105%WYSD: 142%SDIA: 119%IAIN: 120%INOH: 125%OHPA: 97%PANJ: 102%NJCT: 91%CTRI: 120%RICA: 121%CAUT: 115%UTCO: 115%CONE: 128%NEMO: 113%MOKY: 102%KYWV: 104%WVVA: 103%VAMD: 125%MDDEAZ: 125%AZNM: 130%NMKS: 120%KSAR: 118%ARTN: 114%TNNC: 110%NCSC: 117%SCDCOK: 120%OKLA: 113%LAMS: 132%MSAL: 118%ALGA: 108%GAHITX: 121%TXFL: 103%FL
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor by stateAK 239%; AL 118%; AR 118%; AZ 125%; CA 121%; CO 115%; CT 91%; FL 103%; GA 108%; IA 119%; ID 102%; IL 108%; IN 120%; KS 120%; KY 102%; LA 113%; MA 119%; MD 125%; ME 99%; MI 117%; MN 133%; MO 113%; MS 132%; MT 111%; NC 110%; ND 146%; NE 128%; NH 101%; NJ 102%; NM 130%; NY 109%; OH 125%; OK 120%; OR 99%; PA 97%; RI 120%; SC 117%; SD 142%; TN 114%; TX 121%; UT 115%; VA 103%; WA 106%; WI 118%; WV 104%; WY 105%AK: 239%AKME: 99%MEWI: 118%WIVTNH: 101%NHWA: 106%WAID: 102%IDMT: 111%MTND: 146%NDMN: 133%MNIL: 108%ILMI: 117%MINY: 109%NYMA: 119%MAOR: 99%ORNVWY: 105%WYSD: 142%SDIA: 119%IAIN: 120%INOH: 125%OHPA: 97%PANJ: 102%NJCT: 91%CTRI: 120%RICA: 121%CAUT: 115%UTCO: 115%CONE: 128%NEMO: 113%MOKY: 102%KYWV: 104%WVVA: 103%VAMD: 125%MDDEAZ: 125%AZNM: 130%NMKS: 120%KSAR: 118%ARTN: 114%TNNC: 110%NCSC: 117%SCDCOK: 120%OKLA: 113%LAMS: 132%MSAL: 118%ALGA: 108%GAHITX: 121%TXFL: 103%FL

Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor

  • 91.4% to under 103.3%
  • 103.3% to under 112.8%
  • 112.8% to under 118.4%
  • 118.4% to under 124.6%
  • 124.6% and up

Not measured (fewer than 20 districts of 500 or more students, or one statewide district): Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Nevada.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Annual Survey of School System Finances fiscal year 2023-24 (per pupil current spending); Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates 2024, school districts.

Where poorer districts spend the most, relative to richer ones: the top ten

Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor, highest ten statesAlaska 238.8%; North Dakota 145.7%; South Dakota 142.2%; Minnesota 133.4%; Mississippi 131.8%; New Mexico 130.4%; Nebraska 127.8%; Maryland 124.9%; Ohio 124.9%; Arizona 124.6%; Equal spending 100.0%.0100200300Alaska238.8%North Dakota145.7%South Dakota142.2%Minnesota133.4%Mississippi131.8%New Mexico130.4%Nebraska127.8%Maryland124.9%Ohio124.9%Arizona124.6%Equal spending 100.0%
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor, highest ten statesAlaska 238.8%; North Dakota 145.7%; South Dakota 142.2%; Minnesota 133.4%; Mississippi 131.8%; New Mexico 130.4%; Nebraska 127.8%; Maryland 124.9%; Ohio 124.9%; Arizona 124.6%; Equal spending 100.0%.0100200300Alaska238.8%North Dakota145.7%South Dakota142.2%Minnesota133.4%Mississippi131.8%New Mexico130.4%Nebraska127.8%Maryland124.9%Ohio124.9%Arizona124.6%Equal spending 100.0%
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor, highest ten statesAlaska 238.8%; North Dakota 145.7%; South Dakota 142.2%; Minnesota 133.4%; Mississippi 131.8%; New Mexico 130.4%; Nebraska 127.8%; Maryland 124.9%; Ohio 124.9%; Arizona 124.6%; Equal spending 100.0%.0100200300Alaska238.8%North Dakota145.7%South Dakota142.2%Minnesota133.4%Mississippi131.8%New Mexico130.4%Nebraska127.8%Maryland124.9%Ohio124.9%Arizona124.6%Equal spending 100.0%
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor, highest ten statesAlaska 238.8%; North Dakota 145.7%; South Dakota 142.2%; Minnesota 133.4%; Mississippi 131.8%; New Mexico 130.4%; Nebraska 127.8%; Maryland 124.9%; Ohio 124.9%; Arizona 124.6%; Equal spending 100.0%.0100200300Alaska238.8%North Dakota145.7%South Dakota142.2%Minnesota133.4%Mississippi131.8%New Mexico130.4%Nebraska127.8%Maryland124.9%Ohio124.9%Arizona124.6%Equal spending 100.0%

Where they spend the least: the bottom ten

Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor, lowest ten statesConnecticut 91.4%; Pennsylvania 96.9%; Oregon 98.9%; Maine 98.9%; New Hampshire 100.8%; Kentucky 101.9%; New Jersey 102.0%; Idaho 102.3%; Virginia 102.5%; Florida 103.3%; Equal spending 100.0%.050100150Connecticut91.4%Pennsylvania96.9%Oregon98.9%Maine98.9%New Hampshire100.8%Kentucky101.9%New Jersey102.0%Idaho102.3%Virginia102.5%Florida103.3%Equal spending 100.0%
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor, lowest ten statesConnecticut 91.4%; Pennsylvania 96.9%; Oregon 98.9%; Maine 98.9%; New Hampshire 100.8%; Kentucky 101.9%; New Jersey 102.0%; Idaho 102.3%; Virginia 102.5%; Florida 103.3%; Equal spending 100.0%.050100150Connecticut91.4%Pennsylvania96.9%Oregon98.9%Maine98.9%New Hampshire100.8%Kentucky101.9%New Jersey102.0%Idaho102.3%Virginia102.5%Florida103.3%Equal spending 100.0%
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor, lowest ten statesConnecticut 91.4%; Pennsylvania 96.9%; Oregon 98.9%; Maine 98.9%; New Hampshire 100.8%; Kentucky 101.9%; New Jersey 102.0%; Idaho 102.3%; Virginia 102.5%; Florida 103.3%; Equal spending 100.0%.050100150Connecticut91.4%Pennsylvania96.9%Oregon98.9%Maine98.9%New Hampshire100.8%Kentucky101.9%New Jersey102.0%Idaho102.3%Virginia102.5%Florida103.3%Equal spending 100.0%
Poorest quarter's spending as % of the least poor, lowest ten statesConnecticut 91.4%; Pennsylvania 96.9%; Oregon 98.9%; Maine 98.9%; New Hampshire 100.8%; Kentucky 101.9%; New Jersey 102.0%; Idaho 102.3%; Virginia 102.5%; Florida 103.3%; Equal spending 100.0%.050100150Connecticut91.4%Pennsylvania96.9%Oregon98.9%Maine98.9%New Hampshire100.8%Kentucky101.9%New Jersey102.0%Idaho102.3%Virginia102.5%Florida103.3%Equal spending 100.0%

The question and the method

Within each state, do the school districts with the most children in poverty spend more per student than those with the fewest, or less?

For every district with 500 or more students, the Census Bureau's per pupil current spending for fiscal year 2023-24 and its Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates 2024 share of children aged 5 to 17 in families in poverty. Within each state the districts are sorted by that share and cut into quarters by count; each quarter's spending is weighted by enrollment. The measure is the poorest quarter's spending as a percentage of the least-poor quarter's. Spending figures outside $3,000 to $80,000 per student are left out as file mismatches. A state is measured when it has at least 20 such districts.

Limits. Current spending includes federal Title I and special education money that follows poorer and disabled students, so part of any gap is that money doing what it is meant to do. Costs differ within a state (rural transport, city wages), and small districts spend more per student for reasons that have nothing to do with poverty. SAIPE is a model-based estimate of children living in a district, not a count of its students. The measure says who spends more, not whether it is enough.

Every state

All 46 as a table
StateRankPoorest quarter's spending as % of the least poorDistricts measured
Alaska1238.8%24
North Dakota2145.7%35
South Dakota3142.2%50
Minnesota4133.4%245
Mississippi5131.8%136
New Mexico6130.4%49
Nebraska7127.8%90
Maryland8124.9%24
Ohio9124.9%576
Arizona10124.6%130
California11121.2%632
Texas12120.5%706
Oklahoma13120.3%214
Rhode Island14120.2%32
Indiana15119.9%283
Kansas16119.6%157
Iowa17118.6%231
Massachusetts18118.5%243
Wisconsin19118.4%304
Alabama20118.1%136
Arkansas21117.6%196
Michigan22117.4%425
South Carolina23117.3%69
Utah24114.9%37
Colorado25114.8%94
Tennessee26114.3%135
Louisiana27113.2%68
Missouri28112.8%276
Montana29111.3%64
North Carolina30110.0%113
New York31108.7%557
Georgia32107.8%172
Illinois33107.5%579
Washington34105.8%194
Wyoming35104.6%36
West Virginia36103.5%55
Florida37103.3%67
Virginia38102.5%129
Idaho39102.3%67
New Jersey40102.0%401
Kentucky41101.9%164
New Hampshire42100.8%78
Maine4398.9%89
Oregon4498.9%122
Pennsylvania4596.9%480
Connecticut4691.4%126

Source: U.S. Census Bureau: Annual Survey of School System Finances fiscal year 2023-24 (per pupil current spending); Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates 2024, school districts.

Related research

  1. 01Per-pupil spending by state

    Census 2023-24

  2. 02Funding equity by state

    How far apart district spending is

  3. 03All research

    Every study

Sources

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Annual Survey of School System Finances · 2023-24

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, school districts · 2024

Compiled from official source data by .