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New Hampshire’s cost per pupil continues upward trend
CONCORD, NH — Following a consistent upward trend, newly submitted finance data from New Hampshire public school districts shows an increase in New Hampshire’s average cost per pupil, which is now more than $21,000.
The New Hampshire Department of Education is releasing its newest cost per pupil data for the 2023-2024 school year. The new statewide average operating cost per pupil of $21,545 is an increase from last year’s average cost per pupil of $20,323 (or $20,933 adjusted for inflation). Total expenditures for the 2023-2024 school year also approached a new record of more than $4 billion in New Hampshire.
“The taxpayers of New Hampshire have worked hard to support students, families and our public schools, increasing funding by more than $400 million since 2021, resulting in a record high cost per pupil. The legislature also continues to support our schools with policies assisting some of our most economically challenged communities. This includes several districts that receive state aid, contrary to much of the rhetoric, of more than $10,000 per student – with one district receiving more than $16,000 of state funding per pupil,” said Frank Edelblut, education commissioner.
“New Hampshire remains dedicated to continuing efforts to expand educational opportunities and pathways to help every child succeed in a fiscally responsible approach. The persistent trend of declining student enrollment combined with rising costs creates substantial financial strain on school districts, taxpayers and communities, necessitating new and creative approaches to educating our children in a system that can be sustained over the long term,” explained Edelblut.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the current national expenditures per pupil from fiscal year 2022 is $15,591, states its most recent press release on the subject from May of 2024.
In New Hampshire, some of the state’s largest school districts have varying costs per student, with Manchester reaching $17,734, Nashua at $18,270, Bedford at $18,498 and Concord at $23,159. Pittsburg has the highest cost at $44,484 per pupil.
Regarding student enrollment, New Hampshire is following pace with general trends across much of the country as its enrollment continues to shrink – marking a steady, downward trend for more than two decades. Fall enrollment for this school year was 162,660 students, which is down from the fall of 2023 when it was 165,082 and the year prior when it was recorded at 167,357.
“In spite of the headwinds, New Hampshire remains a top performing state relative to education, yet many students here are at the lowest level of proficiency on the statewide assessment in English language arts, and the number is even higher for math and science,” said Edelblut. “We know that increased spending does not translate to stronger academic outcomes. While investment in education is crucial, many other factors must be taken into consideration when comparing spending and its impact on assessment scores.”
Relevant Graphics:
- Cost per pupil FY12-FY24 (not adjusted for inflation)
- Cost per pupil FY12-FY24 (adjusted for inflation)
- Cost per pupil and fall enrollment percent changes by district between school years 2000 and 2024
- Cost per pupil increases by district from 2000 to 2024 (adjusted for inflation)
- Fall enrollment trends 2015 to 2025
- Statewide cost per pupil and statewide percent proficient in math and reading/writing graphic (adjusted for inflation)
- Statewide cost per pupil and statewide percent proficient in math and reading/writing graphic (not adjusted for inflation)
*The cost per pupil represents, with certain adjustments, current expenditures from all funding sources (local, state and federal) associated with the daily operation of schools. Payments to other school districts and private schools have been subtracted, as well as capital items, bond interest and facility construction. Revenues from the sales of lunches have also been excluded.