What share of students in Connecticut are proficient in math?

In 2024, 32% of eighth graders in Connecticut public schools were at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (13th highest among the 50 states and DC) and 35% in reading, compared with 39% and 41% in 2019 (national public 2024: 27% and 29%).

Education in Connecticut, United States: official figures

88.9% of public high school students in Connecticut graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 11th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).

High school graduation rate (4-year ACGR)

88.9%

2021-22

NAEP fourth-grade reading score

219

2024

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics score

277

2024

Current spending per pupil, public schools

$26,316

FY2024

Public school enrollment

512,652

Fall 2023

Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

42.6%

2024

Is the graduation rate in Connecticut rising?

The four-year graduation rate in Connecticut was 88.9% in 2021-22, compared with 85% in 2011-12 and 88.5% in 2018-19, before the pandemic; nationally the rate went from 80% in 2011-12 to 86.6% in 2021-22.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the graduation rate for disadvantaged students in Connecticut?

In 2021-22 the four-year graduation rate in Connecticut was 82.1% for economically disadvantaged students, 69.9% for students with disabilities and 70.0% for English learners (U.S.: 81.3%, 71.4%, 72.1% respectively).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the graduation rate by race in Connecticut?

By race and ethnicity, the 2021-22 graduation rate in Connecticut was 82.0% for Black, 81.3% for Hispanic and 93.6% for White students (U.S.: 81.0%, 82.8%, 89.8%).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in Connecticut score in grade 4 reading?

Public school students in Connecticut averaged 219 in fourth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 7th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 224 in 2019 (national public: 214, 219 in 2019). 36% scored at or above Proficient and 37% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in Connecticut score in grade 8 reading?

Public school students in Connecticut averaged 263 in eighth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 5th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 270 in 2019 (national public: 257, 262 in 2019). 35% scored at or above Proficient and 30% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in Connecticut score in grade 4 math?

Public school students in Connecticut averaged 239 in fourth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 13th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 243 in 2019 (national public: 237, 240 in 2019). 42% scored at or above Proficient and 24% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How do students in Connecticut score in grade 8 math?

Public school students in Connecticut averaged 277 in eighth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 16th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 286 in 2019 (national public: 272, 281 in 2019). 32% scored at or above Proficient and 37% below Basic.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

How much does Connecticut spend per student?

Public school systems in Connecticut spent $26,316 per pupil on current operations in fiscal year 2024, 5th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: $17,619), according to the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Is school spending per pupil in Connecticut going up?

Current spending per pupil in Connecticut rose from $21,310 in fiscal 2019 to $26,316 in fiscal 2024, up 23.5% before inflation (U.S.: up 33.6%); the change on fiscal 2023 was up 4.9%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

What does Connecticut spend school money on?

Of the $26,316 spent per pupil in Connecticut in fiscal 2024, $15,165 went on instruction and $10,243 on support services; salaries and wages came to $13,871 per pupil and employee benefits $7,316.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Where does school funding in Connecticut come from?

Public school systems in Connecticut received $14.1 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024: 8.1% from the federal government, 35.8% from the state and 56.1% from local sources such as property taxes (U.S.: 11.6%, 45.2% and 43.2%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much does Connecticut spend on public schools in total?

Total spending by public school systems in Connecticut was $14.1 billion in fiscal 2024, of which $12.9 billion was current spending and $1.0 billion capital outlay on buildings and equipment; the systems owed $2.4 billion in debt at the end of the year.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many students are in public schools in Connecticut?

512,652 pupils were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in Connecticut in fall 2023, down 2.1% on fall 2019 (523,690) and down 6.1% on fall 2013; nationally enrollment was down 2.5% since 2019.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What is the student-teacher ratio in Connecticut?

Public schools in Connecticut had 44,007 full-time-equivalent teachers in fall 2022, about 11.7 pupils per teacher, joint 5th fewest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 15.4; Connecticut in fall 2019: 12.4).

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

What percentage of people in Connecticut have a college degree?

42.6% of adults aged 25 and over in Connecticut, about 1,109,000 people, held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2024; 8th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 36.8%). That is up 0.5 percentage points on 2021 (42.1%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Connecticut have a graduate degree?

In 2024, 19.3% of adults 25 and over in Connecticut had a graduate or professional degree and 7.7% an associate degree as their highest qualification (U.S.: 14.7% and 8.8%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many adults in Connecticut did not finish high school?

91.8% of adults 25 and over in Connecticut had at least a high school diploma or equivalent in 2024, leaving 8.2% without one; that share is joint 26th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 10.1%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How Connecticut compares with other states

Public high school 4-year graduation rate (ACGR) (2021-22)

Connecticut ranks 11 of 49, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate; New Mexico and Oklahoma did not report for 2021-22

Rank	Region	Public high school 4-year graduation rate (ACGR)
8	Texas	89.7%
9	Virginia	89.1%
10	Kansas	89.1%
11	Connecticut	88.9%
12	Mississippi	88.9%
13	Alabama	88.2%
14	Utah	88.2%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students (2021-22)

Connecticut ranks 15 of 48, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate

Rank	Region	Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students
12	Virginia	82.4%
13	Iowa	82.3%
14	Kansas	82.2%
15	Connecticut	82.1%
16	Missouri	81.7%
17	New York	81.6%
18	Nevada	81.5%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score (2024)

Connecticut ranks 7 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score
4	Colorado	221
5	New Hampshire	221
6	Indiana	220
7	Connecticut	219
8	Utah	219
9	Mississippi	219
10	Florida	218

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score (2024)

Connecticut ranks 5 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score
2	New Jersey	266
3	Colorado	265
4	New Hampshire	264
5	Connecticut	263
6	Illinois	262
7	Indiana	262
8	Utah	261

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

Connecticut ranks 17 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score
14	North Carolina	239
15	Colorado	239
16	Wisconsin	239
17	Connecticut	239
18	Mississippi	239
19	Hawaii	239
20	Pennsylvania	238

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

Connecticut ranks 17 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score
14	Idaho	278
15	Wyoming	278
16	Illinois	277
17	Connecticut	277
18	Pennsylvania	276
19	North Carolina	276
20	Tennessee	276

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (2024)

Connecticut ranks 13 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics
10	Ohio	32.1%
11	Montana	32.1%
12	New Hampshire	32.0%
13	Connecticut	31.9%
14	North Carolina	31.5%
15	Pennsylvania	31.4%
16	Idaho	30.9%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading (2024)

Connecticut ranks 43 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading
40	Montana	37.8%
41	Kentucky	37.7%
42	Florida	37.6%
43	Connecticut	36.8%
44	Utah	35.5%
45	Mississippi	35.4%
46	Colorado	35.1%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Current spending per pupil, public schools (FY2024)

Connecticut ranks 5 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau Annual Survey of School System Finances

Rank	Region	Current spending per pupil, public schools
2	District of Columbia	$31,529
3	Vermont	$28,818
4	New Jersey	$27,234
5	Connecticut	$26,316
6	Massachusetts	$24,429
7	Hawaii	$23,878
8	New Hampshire	$22,978

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019 (FY2019-FY2024)

Connecticut ranks 47 of 51, highest first. Current dollars, not adjusted for inflation

Rank	Region	Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019
44	South Dakota	+26.5%
45	Wyoming	+25.9%
46	Pennsylvania	+25.1%
47	Connecticut	+23.5%
48	North Dakota	+22.1%
49	Iowa	+20.7%
50	Alaska	+14.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Share of public school revenue from local sources (FY2024)

Connecticut ranks 3 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau

Rank	Region	Share of public school revenue from local sources
1	District of Columbia	86.1%
2	New Hampshire	63.4%
3	Connecticut	56.1%
4	Nebraska	55.9%
5	Florida	55.4%
6	Colorado	54.8%
7	Missouri	53.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Pupils per teacher, public schools (Fall 2022)

Connecticut ranks 47 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Pupils per teacher, public schools
44	Massachusetts	12.0
45	New Jersey	11.8
46	New York	11.7
47	Connecticut	11.7
48	New Hampshire	11.5
49	Maine	11.4
50	District of Columbia	11.3

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023 (2019-2023)

Connecticut ranks 25 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023
22	Iowa	-1.8%
23	Missouri	-2.1%
24	Maryland	-2.1%
25	Connecticut	-2.1%
26	Pennsylvania	-2.3%
27	Arkansas	-2.4%
28	Minnesota	-2.6%

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copy

Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher (2024)

Connecticut ranks 8 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher
5	Maryland	44.7%
6	New Jersey	44.5%
7	Virginia	43.3%
8	Connecticut	42.6%
9	New Hampshire	41.5%
10	New York	41.2%
11	Washington	41.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent (2024)

Connecticut ranks 26 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent
23	Massachusetts	8.6%
24	Maryland	8.6%
25	Virginia	8.3%
26	Connecticut	8.2%
27	Delaware	8.2%
28	Missouri	8.0%
29	Kansas	8.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

More on Connecticut: overview · economy and jobs · health · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States

Sources

National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 219.46: Public high school 4-year adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR), by selected student characteristics and state, 2011-12 through 2021-22, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1913b92e5e75…)
U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Educational attainment for the population 25 years and over (B15003), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c933281d2c2…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2024, Table 203.20: Enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by state, fall 1990 through fall 2023 (Common Core of Data), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8e370b60d62a…)
U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of School System Finances: summary tables (Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data, fiscal year 2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 848133174f29…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP mathematics grade 4, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 913ed194a3d5…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP mathematics grade 8, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7dc207d5418d…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP reading grade 4, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7da857933d83…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): NAEP reading grade 8, 2019 and 2024: average scale score and achievement-level percentages for public school students by state (NAEP Data Service), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 790de8a24822…)
National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education): Digest of Education Statistics 2023, Table 208.40: Public elementary and secondary teachers, enrollment, and pupil/teacher ratios, by state, fall 2000 through fall 2022 (Common Core of Data), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c15568f58c4c…)

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