Per pupil spending drops state below national average

Recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that in 2020, Wisconsin spent $12,740 per pupil on elementary and secondary education, or 5.6% below the national average. Data reported by Wisconsin Policy Forum shows the state’s spending ranked it 25th among the 50 states in 2020, down from the 24th ranking the previous year. In 2002, the state ranked 11th. Caps on school revenues in the 2021–23 state budget may drive additional drops in Wisconsin’s ranking in future years. This relative decline correlates with a drop in Wisconsin’s state and local tax burden and national tax ranking as state elected officials have sought to limit property and income taxes.