New York had the highest per-student education spending in the US. sangaku/Getty Images/iStockphoto US public schools rely on federal, state, and local taxes, with state and local taxes contributing the most. Public schools across the US spent an annual average of $17,619 per student in 2024. New York had the highest spending per public school student at $31,918. For many students in the US, the ZIP code they live in can shape the quality of education they get. And while a lot of disparity can