When it comes to providing a quality education for their children, parents in the United States have a variety of options. From traditional public schools to private institutions, there are a range of choices available. But what does it cost to send a child to public school in the USA?The cost of public school education varies from state to state. For example, Washington schools spend slightly more per student than the national average, but receive less federal funding.
Montana schools spend less than the national average on education per student and as a proportion of taxpayer income. Mississippi taxpayers spend a larger proportion of their income on education than the national average. And West Virginia schools spend much more relative to local taxpayer income compared to the average school in the entire country. In addition to tuition costs, there are other expenses associated with public school education. These include school supplies such as notebooks, pens, and backpacks, as well as special programs like sports or extracurricular art.
Fifty-seven percent of elementary and secondary school students between 6 and 17 years old participate in at least one extracurricular activity. Competition is even fiercer in the case of the Ivy League and other selective schools, where acceptance rates have fallen considerably in recent years. To stand out from the crowd, teenagers need to reinforce their applications with volunteer work, tutoring to improve their grades, and participate in extracurricular activities. For parents who want to help their children make the most of their school years, investing in their children's education seems justified. The annual Survey on School System Finances provides data on public school expenditures, including expenditures per student (from preschool to first grade), debts and assets (cash and equity) from all states and the District of Columbia. This data can help parents make informed decisions about their children's education. In recent years, there has been a steady increase in education-related costs for families in the United States.
But despite this rise in costs, public school remains an affordable option for many families.
