New York tops U.S. in education spending

New York State spends more on public education than any other state in the country—over $33,000 per student, roughly 91% above the national K-12 average. Yet a recent survey suggests that most parents significantly underestimate how much is actually spent per child.

The findings come from 50CAN, an education advocacy organization that released the second edition of its report, State of Educational Opportunity in America. The report is based on responses from 23,000 parents across all 50 states.

Although not included in the final published report, one survey question asked parents to estimate per-pupil spending in their state. In New York, the responses revealed a major gap in awareness. Of the 415 parents surveyed, 40% said they were “not sure” how much the state spends per student. Another 29% estimated the figure at less than $5,000. Only 1% correctly selected the range of $35,000 to under $40,000, which reflected last year’s per-student average of $36,293.

New York has led the nation in per-pupil education spending for 19 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2022, New York City spent $38,163 per student—far more than Los Angeles, which ranked second among large urban districts at $23,314 per pupil.

Despite these record-breaking expenditures, academic performance in the state remains average or slightly below. According to results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, New York’s fourth- and eighth-grade students perform at about the national average in reading and slightly below average in math.

Derrell Bradford, president of 50CAN, said the disconnect between spending levels and public perception is not new. He argued that the combination of declining student enrollment and limited academic progress may contribute to confusion about where education funding is going. Bradford also suggested that after the pandemic, schools are serving fewer students while operating with more funding than ever before.

Enrollment across the state has declined in recent years, yet total education spending has continued to grow. Critics question how policymakers can justify further increases when student performance has remained largely stagnant.

The debate has intensified as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has called on Governor Kathy Hochul to raise taxes in part to support the city’s education system. If state funding does not increase, the mayor has proposed a 9.5% property tax hike to help finance a $127 billion city budget, including $38 billion allocated to the Department of Education.

Governor Hochul now faces mounting pressure to explain what taxpayers are receiving in return for nearly $40 billion in state education funding. Observers point to the contrast between New York’s top ranking in spending and its moderate academic outcomes.

The 50CAN survey underscores what the group describes as a need for greater transparency. According to its findings, many parents and taxpayers remain unaware that New York spends an average of $36,293 per student while continuing to debate additional tax increases to sustain the system.

As discussions over funding and performance continue, the gap between spending and results is likely to remain at the center of the state’s education debate.