Savanna Hoffman
California's spending per pupil has been a topic of much discussion, with varying estimates and rankings depending on the methodology and data used. In 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the state ranked 41st in per pupil funding, while other sources place it between 18th and 22nd. The most recent estimate from 2025 places California's per pupil spending at $19,615, with a total funding of $116.3 billion for K-12 education. This is a significant increase from the $12,143 per pupil estimate in 2019. California's spending per pupil also varies based on student demographics, with higher spending for low-income, English Learners, and Black and Latino students. The state's Local Control Funding Formula provides additional funding to districts with high-need students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Per pupil spending in California in 2019 | $12,143 |
| California's rank in per pupil spending in 2019 | 20th |
| Per pupil spending in LA in 2020 | $18,788 |
| California's rank in per pupil spending in 2020 | 41st |
| Per pupil spending in California in 2023-24 | $19,615 |
| California's rank in per pupil spending in 2025 | 18th |
| Per pupil spending in California in 2025 | $18,020 |
| Per pupil spending in California in 2025 (including federal funding) | $20,768 |
| State with the highest per-pupil spending in 2025 | New York ($24,040) |
| State with the lowest per-pupil spending in 2025 | Utah ($7,628) |
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What You'll Learn
California's K–12 spending during economic recoveries
California's K–12 spending typically falls more than spending in other states during recessions, but it rises more quickly during economic recoveries. The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), enacted in 2013–14, provides additional funding based on district shares of high-need students (low-income, English learners, and/or foster youth). Districts have spending flexibility but must submit Local Control and Accountability plans that describe goals, actions, and spending. About 15% of districts are "basic aid" districts, meaning their local revenue exceeds the funding target, and they retain these extra local funds.
In 2021–22, the most recent year for which there is nationally comparable data, California spent $19,548 per pupil on current operations (e.g. staff, materials), roughly $1,800 more than the average in the rest of the nation ($17,783 per pupil). California spent less per pupil than Illinois and far less than New York, which is the top-spending state ($33,739). California spent about $3,900 more than Georgia and about $6,000 more than Texas and Florida.
California's K–12 enrollment declines are projected to continue through the next decade, and most districts and counties will face the fiscal, operational, and educational challenges of downsizing. District funding is based on average daily attendance (not enrollment); this means that high rates of chronic absenteeism since the pandemic—especially among low-income, Black, and Latino students—have fiscal implications for districts. Because roughly 80% of current spending is for staffing (teachers, support staff, etc.), increases in personnel costs—such as health coverage and other benefits—can have a significant fiscal impact. Notably, rising pension contributions absorbed about 25% of the pre-pandemic spending increase from 2013–14 to 2019–20.
California's per-student spending is now slightly above the national average. Spending is higher for low-income students, English learners, and foster youth. However, enrollment declines, rising costs, and the expiration of pandemic funding pose fiscal challenges for school districts. Per pupil spending in 2022–23 was higher for low-income than higher-income students (by $1,903), for English learners (ELs) than non-ELs (by $1,073), and for Black and Latino than white students (by $2,201 and $1,670, respectively).
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California's per pupil spending for low-income students
California's per-pupil spending has been a topic of much discussion and debate, with rankings varying across different years and calculations. In 2017, California ranked 46th out of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., spending $8,694 per student, which was significantly lower than the national average. However, by 2020, California's per-pupil spending had increased, with estimates placing it at over $20,000 per pupil. This improvement is partly due to the state's improving economy and the implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) in 2013–14, which provides additional funding based on district shares of high-need students, including low-income, English Learners, and foster youth.
The LCFF allows districts to have spending flexibility while requiring them to submit Local Control and Accountability plans outlining their goals, actions, and expenditures. About 15% of districts are considered "basic aid," meaning their local revenue exceeds the target, and they retain these extra funds. While California's ranking in per-pupil spending has improved, there are still calls for further increases and reforms. Governor Gavin Newsom, in his 2020 State of the State Address, emphasized the need for an honest conversation about how schools are funded at the state and local levels.
California's per-pupil spending varies across districts, and it is important to recognize that the average spending per student may not accurately represent the funding situation in any one district. For instance, in 2019, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) spent $18,788 per student, while the state provided $16,402 per student. This variation in funding across districts highlights the complexity of California's education funding landscape.
In recent years, California's K–12 spending has seen significant increases. Between 2018–19 and 2023–24, state K–12 funding increased by nearly 32%. Additionally, the federal government provided substantial one-time aid during the pandemic, with federal funds accounting for 23% of K–12 funding in 2020–21 and 11% in 2021–22. These increases in funding have contributed to California's improving ranking in per-pupil spending.
While California's per-pupil spending has increased, there is a recognition that more needs to be done, especially for low-income students. In 2022–23, per-pupil spending for low-income students was higher than for higher-income students by $1,903. This disparity in spending aims to address the unique challenges faced by low-income students and provide them with additional resources and support. However, it is important to note that district funding is based on average daily attendance, and high rates of chronic absenteeism among low-income students since the pandemic have had fiscal implications for districts.
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California's ranking in per-pupil spending
In 2017, California's per-student spending was $10,291, which was $1,961 less than the national average of $12,252 per student. By 2020, estimates placed California's per-pupil spending at $12,143, ranking 20th among states. More recent estimates from 2023 to 2024 place the state, local, and federal funding for California's K–12 public schools at approximately $131 billion, a substantial increase from the previous year's $125 billion.
It is worth noting that per-pupil spending in California varies based on several factors. For instance, in the 2022–23 school year, per-pupil spending was higher for low-income students than for higher-income students, with a difference of $1,903. Similarly, English Learners (ELs) received $1,073 more per pupil than non-ELs, and Black and Latino students received higher per-pupil spending than their white counterparts, with differences of $2,201 and $1,670, respectively.
California's per-pupil spending in K–12 education is lower than that of New York, which is the top-spending state at $33,739 per pupil. California's spending is higher than that of Texas, Florida, and Georgia. While California has made progress in per-pupil spending, Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted in 2020 that the state needed to have an honest conversation about how schools are funded at the state and local levels.
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California's K–12 spending compared to other states
California's spending on K–12 education is a topic of much discussion and debate. The state's per pupil spending varies across sources and over time. In 2019, California's per pupil spending was reported to be $12,143, placing it 20th among all states, including Washington, DC. However, according to the LA Unified School District (LAUSD), they spent $18,788 per student, while receiving $16,402 per child from the state. More recently, in 2025, California's per pupil spending was estimated to be $19,615, ranking the state 16th in funding. When accounting for differences in labor costs, California's ranking drops to 34th.
California's K–12 spending tends to decrease more than other states during recessions but rises faster during economic recoveries. The state's funding for K–12 education has seen significant increases over the years. Between 2018–19 and 2023–24, state K–12 funding increased by nearly 32%. In 2023–24, state, local, and federal funding for California's K–12 public schools is estimated to be $131 billion, a notable increase from the $125 billion in 2022–23.
Despite the significant spending on K–12 education, there are concerns about the effectiveness of the educational system in California. About 75% of California students are reported to lack proficiency in core subject areas based on federal education standards. The state's education system has been criticized for its failure to provide a quality education, particularly for Hispanic and Black students. The curriculum has been a subject of debate, with frequent changes in an attempt to improve outcomes.
Comparatively, California's K–12 spending exceeds that of many other states. New York is the top-spending state, with Vermont and Alaska following closely in terms of spending as a percentage of local taxpayer income. States like Florida and Colorado spend less per pupil than California, with Florida being the lowest among all states, excluding Washington, DC.
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California's K–12 spending compared to its postsecondary spending
California's K–12 education system has faced criticism for its failure to provide a quality education, particularly among Hispanic and Black students. Despite a budget of around $128 billion for the 2023-24 school year, California ranked 33rd in per-student funding in 2019-20, spending $13,686 per student, which was $1,760 below the national average. California's per-student funding has increased substantially over the past decade, and it now ranks 18th in per-pupil spending. However, California falls near the bottom in terms of K-12 spending relative to its total wealth.
In 2025, funding for K-12 education in California totals $116.3 billion, or $19,615 per pupil. At the postsecondary level, public colleges and universities spend $34,627 per pupil, with federal funding averaging $2,190 per student, and state and local funding combining for an average of $9,804 per student. Tuition accounts for 9.7% of all funding, an 18.1% decline from the previous year.
California's K-12 funding has been impacted by economic recessions, with a significant decline during the Great Recession from 2007 to 2013. The state's funding typically drops more than other states during recessions but rises more quickly during economic recoveries. The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), enacted in 2013-14, provides additional funding to districts with high-need students, allowing for spending flexibility while requiring Local Control and Accountability plans outlining goals, actions, and spending.
California's postsecondary spending, while not explicitly stated, can be inferred to be higher than its K-12 spending based on the per-pupil expenditures. The state's community colleges spend 22.1% of what its four-year public colleges spend annually, indicating a significant difference in funding between the two levels. Additionally, California's two-year colleges spend 11.8% of what four-year colleges spend in Tennessee, further highlighting the disparity in postsecondary funding across states.
California's education spending faces challenges due to the high cost of living in the state, and the need to spread funding across a large number of students, as the state has a comparatively high percentage of school-age children. The state's economic forecasts remain uncertain, and the recovery from the recent pandemic-related financial challenges may take several years. Despite these difficulties, California has made efforts to improve its education financing, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing the Budget Act of 2021, which included education trailer bills as part of the budget package for 2021-22.
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Frequently asked questions
California's per-pupil spending varies depending on the source and the year. According to Ed Week, the average per-pupil spending in California was $12,143 in 2019. Other sources place the figure at $18,020, $19,615, or $20,642. California's ranking among states also varies, from 18th to 46th.
Per-pupil spending in California is influenced by various factors, including labour costs, district shares of high-need students, and average daily attendance rates. During recessions, California's K-12 spending tends to decrease more than in other states, but it recovers quickly during economic upturns.
California's per-pupil spending ranking among states varies depending on the calculation method and data source. New York has the highest per-pupil spending at $24,040, while Utah has the lowest at $7,628. California spends the most on postsecondary education.
Per-pupil spending typically includes teacher and administrator salaries, supplies, building maintenance, field trips, and other operational costs. It may also cover additional expenses such as summer and after-school programs.
