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Education
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How the pandemic impacted what public schools in every state spend

Written by:
Natalie P. McNeal
Data work by:
Wade Zhou
October 23, 2023
Canva

This story originally appeared on HeyTutor and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

How the pandemic impacted what public schools in every state spend

As a result of federal COVID-19 school relief funding amounting to $192 billion, spending to support public school teachers and students increased. At the same time, student transportation and food expenditures decreased, according to a 2021 survey from the Association of School Business Officials.

National tutoring service HeyTutor analyzed data from the National Center for Education Statistics to see how the pandemic affected public school spending, tracking expenditures by state between the 2019-20 and 2021-22 academic years.

Nationwide, school spending rose with the additional allocation of federal funding for pandemic relief efforts, including helping students catch up on lessons they lost during school shutdowns or remote learning periods. And the spending appears to have gone largely toward that overall goal, boosting amounts spent on teaching and special education.

Federal COVID-19 relief funding for the schools ends next year. An estimated $90 billion is left for K-12 schools to spend, according to a McKinsey & Company report.

Map showing the change in public school spending between 2019 and 2021.
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HeyTutor

Nearly all states increased per student spending from 2019 to 2021

Hawaii was the only state where per-student spending dropped, perhaps in part because the state saw higher-than-average drops in transportation and food service spending.

However, states's exact changes in overall spending varied as did their spending in several different categories, including direct instruction, services to support students—including special education, services to support teachers, transportation, food service, and other costs.

Read on to learn how school administrators around the nation spent the additional money their districts received.

Elevated view of downtown Honolulu.
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Leigh Trail // Shutterstock

#51. Hawaii

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $16,550, down 1.3% from 2019
-Instruction: $9,997, up 2.6% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,712, down 2.8% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $520, down 2.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $328, down 15.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $516, up 0.3% from 2019
-Food services: $646, down 22.1% from 2019

Aerial view of Lewes.
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Khairil Azhar Junos // Shutterstock

#50. Delaware

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $16,589, up 0.2% from 2019
-Instruction: $9,456, down 7.4% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,838, up 104.3% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $659, up 115.0% from 2019
-Student transportation: $756, down 14.2% from 2019
-Other support services: $616, down 9.1% from 2019
-Food services: $449, down 29.2% from 2019

State Capitol building in Albany.
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#49. New York

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $26,097, up 0.9% from 2019
-Instruction: $17,734, down 0.2% from 2019
-Student support services: $781, down 7.2% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,094, up 44.8% from 2019
-Student transportation: $1,281, down 8.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $990, down 0.8% from 2019
-Food services: $466, down 6.6% from 2019

Norwich skyline and marina.
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Canva

#48. Connecticut

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $22,216, up 1.1% from 2019
-Instruction: $13,743, up 1.3% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,681, up 12.4% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $799, up 6.1% from 2019
-Student transportation: $998, down 10.3% from 2019
-Other support services: $736, down 12.5% from 2019
-Food services: $374, down 16.7% from 2019

Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
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Zack Frank // Shutterstock

#47. Pennsylvania

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $17,822, up 1.5% from 2019
-Instruction: $11,094, up 2.5% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,108, up 7.9% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $673, up 5.3% from 2019
-Student transportation: $708, down 16.0% from 2019
-Other support services: $759, up 12.2% from 2019
-Food services: $407, down 26.2% from 2019

Aerial view of The Gateway Arch and riverfront in downtown St. Louis.
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Joe Hendrickson // Shutterstock

#46. Missouri

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $11,999, up 1.8% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,824, up 3.0% from 2019
-Student support services: $856, up 9.6% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $466, down 0.1% from 2019
-Student transportation: $539, down 14.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $284, up 13.0% from 2019
-Food services: $385, down 27.9% from 2019

Birmingham cityscape.
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BJ Ray // Shutterstock

#45. Alabama

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $10,728, up 2.2% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,356, up 6.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $800, up 16.8% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $462, up 6.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $520, down 6.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $283, up 16.4% from 2019
-Food services: $324, down 53.7% from 2019

Mount Juneau and the city of Juneau.
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Mary Swift // Shutterstock

#44. Alaska

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $19,540, up 2.2% from 2019
-Instruction: $10,413, up 2.4% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,496, up 1.0% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,889, up 18.8% from 2019
-Student transportation: $567, down 12.4% from 2019
-Other support services: $821, up 10.4% from 2019
-Food services: $561, down 7.1% from 2019

Downtown Nashville in autumn.
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Brian Wilson Photography // Shutterstock

#43. Tennessee

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $10,571, up 2.3% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,410, up 2.9% from 2019
-Student support services: $611, up 15.1% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $664, up 7.6% from 2019
-Student transportation: $363, down 7.8% from 2019
-Other support services: $324, up 10.6% from 2019
-Food services: $476, down 12.1% from 2019

Louisville skyline and bridge.
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Canva

#42. Kentucky

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $12,016, up 2.5% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,177, up 4.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $654, up 11.8% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $629, up 3.0% from 2019
-Student transportation: $566, down 13.8% from 2019
-Other support services: $348, up 13.9% from 2019
-Food services: $633, down 12.5% from 2019

Aerial view of historical buildings in downtown Dubuque.
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Dawid S Swierczek // Shutterstock

#41. Iowa

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $12,714, up 2.5% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,560, up 1.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $790, up 6.3% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $813, up 3.6% from 2019
-Student transportation: $413, down 7.8% from 2019
-Other support services: $411, up 9.0% from 2019
-Food services: $520, down 2.6% from 2019

Aerial of Manasquan Inlet Beach.
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FotosForTheFuture // Shutterstock

#40. New Jersey

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $22,784, up 2.8% from 2019
-Instruction: $13,802, up 5.2% from 2019
-Student support services: $2,403, up 2.6% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $947, up 13.8% from 2019
-Student transportation: $758, down 20.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $568, up 5.3% from 2019
-Food services: $348, down 26.2% from 2019

Duluth skyline from lake.
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Canva

#39. Minnesota

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $14,213, up 2.9% from 2019
-Instruction: $9,206, up 3.0% from 2019
-Student support services: $476, up 15.1% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $776, up 14.2% from 2019
-Student transportation: $730, down 10.8% from 2019
-Other support services: $398, up 19.7% from 2019
-Food services: $509, down 9.9% from 2019

Dayton skyline and neighborhoods.
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Ami Parikh // Shutterstock

#38. Ohio

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $14,389, up 3.1% from 2019
-Instruction: $8,676, up 4.7% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,080, up 9.4% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $544, up 3.3% from 2019
-Student transportation: $597, down 11.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $694, up 3.7% from 2019
-Food services: $376, down 14.2% from 2019

Aerial view Newport.
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KpertC // Shutterstock

#37. Rhode Island

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $18,810, up 3.2% from 2019
-Instruction: $11,400, up 4.0% from 2019
-Student support services: $2,047, up 5.8% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $746, up 5.1% from 2019
-Student transportation: $695, down 14.9% from 2019
-Other support services: $798, up 4.5% from 2019
-Food services: $372, down 25.3% from 2019

Aerial view downtown Charlotte.
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Kevin Ruck // Shutterstock

#36. North Carolina

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $10,519, up 3.3% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,683, up 5.0% from 2019
-Student support services: $636, up 11.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $402, up 20.5% from 2019
-Student transportation: $343, down 18.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $357, up 12.7% from 2019
-Food services: $394, down 20.3% from 2019

Rapid City aerial view.
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Sopotnicki // Shutterstock

#35. South Dakota

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $11,095, up 3.4% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,563, up 3.4% from 2019
-Student support services: $647, up 7.4% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $425, up 9.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $373, down 5.8% from 2019
-Other support services: $411, down 1.1% from 2019
-Food services: $564, up 1.1% from 2019

Aerial view Omaha in summer.
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Canva

#34. Nebraska

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $13,723, up 3.6% from 2019
-Instruction: $8,515, up 3.6% from 2019
-Student support services: $733, up 3.7% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $430, down 4.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $366, down 7.8% from 2019
-Other support services: $873, up 22.8% from 2019
-Food services: $533, down 1.9% from 2019

Sacramento’s Tower Bridge and Capitol Mall.
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Canva

#33. California

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $14,697, up 3.7% from 2019
-Instruction: $8,635, up 2.4% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,005, up 8.7% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $927, up 5.0% from 2019
-Student transportation: $241, down 22.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $821, up 25.6% from 2019
-Food services: $456, down 7.0% from 2019

Milwaukee cityscape with Art Museum with the Northwestern Mutual building.
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Tony Savino // Shutterstock

#32. Wisconsin

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $13,687, up 3.8% from 2019
-Instruction: $8,076, up 4.4% from 2019
-Student support services: $758, up 11.4% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $847, up 13.9% from 2019
-Student transportation: $443, down 21.3% from 2019
-Other support services: $743, up 11.6% from 2019
-Food services: $420, down 10.8% from 2019

Aerial view of Grand Forks.
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Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#31. North Dakota

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $15,139, up 3.8% from 2019
-Instruction: $9,284, up 6.0% from 2019
-Student support services: $632, up 6.0% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $539, up 7.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $573, down 3.9% from 2019
-Other support services: $474, up 16.1% from 2019
-Food services: $695, up 1.2% from 2019

Afternoon Little Rock cityscape.
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Eduardo Medrano // Shutterstock

#30. Arkansas

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $11,239, up 3.9% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,222, up 2.7% from 2019
-Student support services: $638, up 5.9% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,013, up 14.6% from 2019
-Student transportation: $372, down 8.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $378, up 10.2% from 2019
-Food services: $534, down 6.2% from 2019

Riverfront skyline in Savannah.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#29. Georgia

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $12,108, up 4.0% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,462, up 6.1% from 2019
-Student support services: $716, up 9.7% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $613, up 0.9% from 2019
-Student transportation: $500, down 10.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $422, up 5.5% from 2019
-Food services: $492, down 16.2% from 2019

Aerial view of Morgantown.
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Canva

#28. West Virginia

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $13,279, up 4.2% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,670, up 4.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $793, up 17.2% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $515, up 13.2% from 2019
-Student transportation: $915, down 6.8% from 2019
-Other support services: $273, up 11.3% from 2019
-Food services: $814, up 3.2% from 2019

Aerial view of Annapolis and Statehouse.
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Real Window Creative // Shutterstock

#27. Maryland

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $16,873, up 4.3% from 2019
-Instruction: $11,038, up 7.7% from 2019
-Student support services: $839, up 11.8% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $812, down 0.6% from 2019
-Student transportation: $703, down 17.9% from 2019
-Other support services: $471, up 5.7% from 2019
-Food services: $317, down 30.5% from 2019

Jacksonville skyline across the St. Johns River.
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ESB Professional // Shutterstock

#26. Florida

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $10,823, up 4.3% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,572, up 3.5% from 2019
-Student support services: $571, up 19.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $685, up 4.2% from 2019
-Student transportation: $365, down 8.0% from 2019
-Other support services: $308, up 12.7% from 2019
-Food services: $452, down 12.1% from 2019

Aerial view Captiol building in Jackson.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#25. Mississippi

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $10,060, up 4.6% from 2019
-Instruction: $5,763, up 5.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $582, up 12.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $466, up 6.5% from 2019
-Student transportation: $427, down 9.9% from 2019
-Other support services: $289, up 9.9% from 2019
-Food services: $505, down 10.3% from 2019

Elevated view of Seattle Space Needle and downtown.
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kan_khampanya // Shutterstock

#24. Washington

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $15,615, up 4.8% from 2019
-Instruction: $9,376, up 5.3% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,235, up 9.3% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,108, up 11.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $466, down 18.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $734, up 18.5% from 2019
-Food services: $355, down 11.7% from 2019

Sunset over downtown Scottsdale.
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antsdrone // Shutterstock

#23. Arizona

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $9,571, up 5.0% from 2019
-Instruction: $5,317, up 7.1% from 2019
-Student support services: $806, up 12.1% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $491, up 7.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $303, down 19.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $448, up 8.9% from 2019
-Food services: $373, down 19.1% from 2019

Downtown Oklahoma City.
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Canva

#22. Oklahoma

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $10,084, up 5.5% from 2019
-Instruction: $5,811, up 7.7% from 2019
-Student support services: $704, up 6.4% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $420, up 7.8% from 2019
-Student transportation: $242, down 15.9% from 2019
-Other support services: $418, up 13.3% from 2019
-Food services: $487, down 13.5% from 2019

Wide view of Alexandria along the Potomac River.
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Steve Heap // Shutterstock

#21. Virginia

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $13,856, up 5.5% from 2019
-Instruction: $8,452, up 6.0% from 2019
-Student support services: $763, up 12.6% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,089, up 18.7% from 2019
-Student transportation: $605, down 12.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $256, up 14.6% from 2019
-Food services: $432, down 12.3% from 2019

Pennsylvania Avenue and U.S. Capitol.
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Orhan Cam // Shutterstock

#20. District of Columbia

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $25,113, up 5.9% from 2019
-Instruction: $12,626, up 5.9% from 2019
-Student support services: $2,461, up 17.0% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,160, down 3.7% from 2019
-Student transportation: $1,451, up 10.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $1,357, up 15.4% from 2019
-Food services: $423, down 48.4% from 2019

Aerial view of Reno.
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Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#19. Nevada

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $10,073, up 6.2% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,077, up 9.7% from 2019
-Student support services: $626, up 16.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $522, down 2.8% from 2019
-Student transportation: $324, down 11.2% from 2019
-Other support services: $416, up 9.1% from 2019
-Food services: $287, down 23.9% from 2019

Aerial view Charleston waterfront.
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jdross75 // Shutterstock

#18. South Carolina

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $12,139, up 6.3% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,876, up 9.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $887, down 3.0% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $734, up 2.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $438, down 1.5% from 2019
-Other support services: $557, up 13.6% from 2019
-Food services: $484, down 13.9% from 2019

Aerial view of Boulder City in autumn.
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Maciej Bledowski // Shutterstock

#17. Colorado

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $12,233, up 6.3% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,612, up 4.1% from 2019
-Student support services: $869, up 21.0% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $710, up 6.9% from 2019
-Student transportation: $310, down 9.9% from 2019
-Other support services: $1,008, up 16.5% from 2019
-Food services: $319, down 11.8% from 2019

Aerial photo Baton Rouge State Capitol Park.
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Canva

#16. Louisiana

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $13,183, up 6.4% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,267, up 5.1% from 2019
-Student support services: $813, up 4.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $697, up 7.7% from 2019
-Student transportation: $675, down 5.3% from 2019
-Other support services: $380, up 8.2% from 2019
-Food services: $645, down 1.3% from 2019

View of Missoula from Mount Sentinel.
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Jon Bilous // Shutterstock

#15. Montana

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $13,262, up 6.5% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,821, up 6.9% from 2019
-Student support services: $876, up 2.6% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $450, down 0.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $589, down 0.5% from 2019
-Other support services: $408, up 15.8% from 2019
-Food services: $557, up 2.5% from 2019

Aerial view of downtown Ann Arbor in summer.
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Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#14. Michigan

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $13,351, up 6.6% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,547, up 5.9% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,151, up 12.2% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $742, up 11.9% from 2019
-Student transportation: $453, down 14.3% from 2019
-Other support services: $801, up 23.2% from 2019
-Food services: $416, down 6.5% from 2019

Red barn in Hood River Valley surrounded by pear blossoms.
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Bob Pool // Shutterstock

#13. Oregon

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $13,820, up 6.8% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,988, up 6.0% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,217, up 15.3% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $557, up 8.3% from 2019
-Student transportation: $499, down 15.9% from 2019
-Other support services: $1,030, up 26.3% from 2019
-Food services: $357, down 15.8% from 2019

Aerial view of Market Square and North Church in Portsmouth.
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#12. New Hampshire

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $19,396, up 6.9% from 2019
-Instruction: $12,298, up 6.7% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,588, up 11.0% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $596, up 4.5% from 2019
-Student transportation: $790, down 4.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $289, up 18.4% from 2019
-Food services: $357, down 16.8% from 2019

Monument Circle in Indianapolis.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#11. Indiana

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $11,411, up 7.1% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,544, up 8.6% from 2019
-Student support services: $657, up 11.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $565, up 29.5% from 2019
-Student transportation: $550, down 19.8% from 2019
-Other support services: $373, up 40.2% from 2019
-Food services: $426, down 14.9% from 2019

City of Jackson Hole and surrounding landscape.
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C Model // Shutterstock

#10. Wyoming

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $18,140, up 7.6% from 2019
-Instruction: $10,686, up 6.5% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,131, up 8.6% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $822, down 1.4% from 2019
-Student transportation: $784, down 2.9% from 2019
-Other support services: $940, up 36.3% from 2019
-Food services: $588, up 13.9% from 2019

Dallas cityscape on a sunny day.
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#9. Texas

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $11,049, up 7.8% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,547, up 9.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $614, up 15.4% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $591, up 9.2% from 2019
-Student transportation: $296, down 4.4% from 2019
-Other support services: $571, up 16.7% from 2019
-Food services: $430, down 24.2% from 2019

Cape Cod seashore viewed from Pilgrim Monument.
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock

#8. Massachusetts

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $21,529, up 7.9% from 2019
-Instruction: $13,824, up 9.0% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,841, up 17.7% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,024, up 9.5% from 2019
-Student transportation: $800, down 13.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $413, up 10.7% from 2019
-Food services: $470, down 20.5% from 2019

Aerial view Boise Capitol Building.
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Charles Knowles // Shutterstock

#7. Idaho

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $9,054, up 8.3% from 2019
-Instruction: $5,502, up 10.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $536, up 9.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $519, up 9.1% from 2019
-Student transportation: $354, down 6.1% from 2019
-Other support services: $273, up 18.4% from 2019
-Food services: $336, down 10.9% from 2019

Aerial view downtown Wichita.
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Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#6. Kansas

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $12,788, up 8.7% from 2019
-Instruction: $7,627, up 9.7% from 2019
-Student support services: $909, up 13.8% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $523, up 4.2% from 2019
-Student transportation: $486, down 1.5% from 2019
-Other support services: $373, up 16.2% from 2019
-Food services: $509, down 5.1% from 2019

Montpelier city skyline.
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haveseen // Shutterstock

#5. Vermont

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $24,050, up 9.1% from 2019
-Instruction: $14,965, up 8.8% from 2019
-Student support services: $2,022, up 15.8% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,019, up 7.9% from 2019
-Student transportation: $752, down 1.5% from 2019
-Other support services: $855, up 40.0% from 2019
-Food services: $636, up 8.3% from 2019

Aerial view of Salt Lake City.
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Canva

#4. Utah

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $9,014, up 9.1% from 2019
-Instruction: $5,716, up 9.7% from 2019
-Student support services: $512, up 29.0% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $409, up 9.3% from 2019
-Student transportation: $236, down 4.2% from 2019
-Other support services: $288, up 8.7% from 2019
-Food services: $358, down 2.1% from 2019

Chicago neighborhood buildings and city skyline on a sunny autumn day.
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marchello74 // Shutterstock

#3. Illinois

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $18,527, up 9.5% from 2019
-Instruction: $11,585, up 11.4% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,450, up 18.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $713, up 10.0% from 2019
-Student transportation: $619, down 18.7% from 2019
-Other support services: $709, up 23.2% from 2019
-Food services: $363, down 13.3% from 2019

Albuquerque residential suburbs.
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turtix // Shutterstock

#2. New Mexico

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $11,912, up 9.5% from 2019
-Instruction: $6,951, up 12.1% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,300, up 16.5% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $297, up 5.1% from 2019
-Student transportation: $310, down 10.4% from 2019
-Other support services: $405, up 12.7% from 2019
-Food services: $415, down 20.6% from 2019

Aerial view of Bar Harbor in autumn.
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Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock

#1. Maine

Total expenditures per student in 2021: $18,385, up 12.8% from 2019
-Instruction: $10,601, up 11.2% from 2019
-Student support services: $1,324, up 16.9% from 2019
-Instructional staff support: $1,073, up 33.3% from 2019
-Student transportation: $778, down 5.5% from 2019
-Other support services: $261, up 19.1% from 2019
-Food services: $505, down 19.9% from 2019

Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn.

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