While the release did not place New Mexico among either the highest- or lowest-spending states per pupil, it did identify the state as one of the nation’s most federally supported public education systems.
Source: Census Bureau
New Mexico’s public schools remain among the nation’s most dependent on federal funding, according to new education finance data released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.
The new figures, part of the Census Bureau’s 2024 Annual Survey of School System Finances, show public school systems in New Mexico received 19.7% of their total revenue from federal sources during Fiscal Year 2024. Only Mississippi (22.7%) and Alaska (21.0%) ranked higher nationally.
The report arrives as public school spending nationwide reached a historic high.
According to the Census Bureau, current spending per pupil across the United States rose 6.6% from $16,526 in Fiscal Year 2023 to $17,619 in Fiscal Year 2024. The figures are not adjusted for inflation or regional cost-of-living differences.
While the release did not place New Mexico among either the highest- or lowest-spending states per pupil, it did identify the state as one of the nation’s most federally supported public education systems.
Nationally, state governments remained the largest source of public school funding, contributing $450 billion — or 45.2% — of all elementary and secondary education revenue during FY 2024. Local sources accounted for 43.2% of school funding nationwide, while federal funding contributed 11.6%.
New Mexico’s 19.7% figure placed the state well above the national average for federal education support.
By comparison, states with the lowest percentage of federal revenue included New Jersey (6.3%), Utah (7.9%), Minnesota (8.1%), Connecticut (8.1%) and Massachusetts (8.2%).
Overall, public elementary and secondary school systems nationwide received $994.9 billion in revenue during FY 2024, a 5.1% increase from the previous year.
The Census Bureau reported total expenditures by public school systems reached $983.7 billion nationally, up 7.1% year-over-year.
Instruction remained the largest spending category. Public school systems nationwide spent $291.8 billion on instructional salaries during FY 2024, accounting for nearly 30% of all expenditures.
The report also found instruction-related spending totaled $495 billion nationally, representing 58.8% of all current public school spending.
Among states, New York recorded the nation’s highest current spending per pupil at $31,918, followed by the District of Columbia at $31,529. Idaho posted the nation’s lowest per-pupil spending figure at $11,060.
The Annual Survey of School System Finances tracks public school revenues, expenditures, debt and assets for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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