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Tuesday, Sep. 2, 2025

Are Oklahoma public schools ranked almost last in per-pupil funding?

Matthew Yim, Oklahoma Watch
yes

Oklahoma is ranked No. 49 in both per-student funding and expenditure, according to the most recent data from the National Education Association.

In the 2023-2024 school year, Oklahoma public schools’ revenue and expenditure per student were $13,028 and $11,311, respectively; both numbers are just two-thirds of their respective national averages. Oklahoma’s expenditure per student was 87% of its revenue per student, which is on par with the national average.

Federal money made up 14.3% of Oklahoma public schools’ revenue, which is the 17th highest percentage among the states and 3.2% higher than the national average. Federal funding has comprised an unusually high percentage of school revenues because of COVID relief funds.

An estimated 45.3% of Oklahoma’s revenue was state revenue.

Oklahoma’s expenditure per student increased 2.3% from the previous school year, though its ranking remained the same.

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