What share of students in Nebraska are proficient in math?

In 2024, 32% of eighth graders in Nebraska public schools were at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (joint 7th highest among the 50 states and DC) and 27% in reading, compared with 37% and 34% in 2019 (national public 2024: 27% and 29%).

Education in Nebraska, United States: official figures

87.1% of public high school students in Nebraska graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 21st highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).

High school graduation rate (4-year ACGR)

87.1%

2021-22

NAEP fourth-grade reading score

212

2024

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics score

280

2024

Current spending per pupil, public schools

$16,147

FY2024

Public school enrollment

329,162

Fall 2023

Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

35.4%

2024

Is the graduation rate in Nebraska rising?

The four-year graduation rate in Nebraska was 87.1% in 2021-22, compared with 88% in 2011-12 and 88.4% 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 Nebraska?

In 2021-22 the four-year graduation rate in Nebraska was 79.0% for economically disadvantaged students, 65.8% for students with disabilities and 53.0% 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 Nebraska?

By race and ethnicity, the 2021-22 graduation rate in Nebraska was 74.0% for Black, 77.0% for Hispanic and 92.0% 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 Nebraska score in grade 4 reading?

Public school students in Nebraska averaged 212 in fourth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC, down from 222 in 2019 (national public: 214, 219 in 2019). 28% scored at or above Proficient and 42% below Basic.

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

How do students in Nebraska score in grade 8 reading?

Public school students in Nebraska averaged 256 in eighth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 23rd lowest among the 50 states and DC, down from 264 in 2019 (national public: 257, 262 in 2019). 27% scored at or above Proficient and 33% below Basic.

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

How do students in Nebraska score in grade 4 math?

Public school students in Nebraska averaged 238 in fourth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 20th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 244 in 2019 (national public: 237, 240 in 2019). 40% scored at or above Proficient and 22% below Basic.

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

How do students in Nebraska score in grade 8 math?

Public school students in Nebraska averaged 280 in eighth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 7th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 285 in 2019 (national public: 272, 281 in 2019). 32% scored at or above Proficient and 31% below Basic.

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

How much does Nebraska spend per student?

Public school systems in Nebraska spent $16,147 per pupil on current operations in fiscal year 2024, 26th 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 Nebraska going up?

Current spending per pupil in Nebraska rose from $12,743 in fiscal 2019 to $16,147 in fiscal 2024, up 26.7% before inflation (U.S.: up 33.6%); the change on fiscal 2023 was up 6.2%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

What does Nebraska spend school money on?

Of the $16,147 spent per pupil in Nebraska in fiscal 2024, $9,919 went on instruction and $5,511 on support services; salaries and wages came to $8,967 per pupil and employee benefits $3,537.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Where does school funding in Nebraska come from?

Public school systems in Nebraska received $6.1 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024: 10.5% from the federal government, 33.6% from the state and 55.9% 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 Nebraska spend on public schools in total?

Total spending by public school systems in Nebraska was $6.1 billion in fiscal 2024, of which $5.3 billion was current spending and $658.01 million capital outlay on buildings and equipment; the systems owed $4.5 billion in debt at the end of the year.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many students are in public schools in Nebraska?

329,162 pupils were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in Nebraska in fall 2023, down 0.3% on fall 2019 (330,018) and up 7.0% 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 Nebraska?

Public schools in Nebraska had 23,911 full-time-equivalent teachers in fall 2022, about 13.8 pupils per teacher, joint 22nd fewest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 15.4; Nebraska in fall 2019: 13.7).

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

What percentage of people in Nebraska have a college degree?

35.4% of adults aged 25 and over in Nebraska, about 469,000 people, held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2024; 25th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 36.8%). That is up 1.0 percentage points on 2021 (34.4%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Nebraska have a graduate degree?

In 2024, 13.0% of adults 25 and over in Nebraska had a graduate or professional degree and 11.3% 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 Nebraska did not finish high school?

92.6% of adults 25 and over in Nebraska had at least a high school diploma or equivalent in 2024, leaving 7.4% without one; that share is 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 10.1%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How Nebraska compares with other states

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

Nebraska ranks 21 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)
18	New Hampshire	87.7%
19	Florida	87.3%
20	Illinois	87.3%
21	Nebraska	87.1%
22	California	87.0%
23	Pennsylvania	87.0%
24	New York	86.7%

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

Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students (2021-22)

Nebraska ranks 25 of 48, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate

Rank	Region	Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students
22	Pennsylvania	80.1%
23	Illinois	80.0%
24	North Carolina	79.5%
25	Nebraska	79.0%
26	New Jersey	78.7%
27	Georgia	78.6%
28	Maryland	77.9%

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

NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score (2024)

Nebraska ranks 40 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score
37	California	212
38	Texas	212
39	Missouri	212
40	Nebraska	212
41	Arkansas	210
42	Maine	210
43	Delaware	210

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

NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score (2024)

Nebraska ranks 30 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score
27	North Dakota	257
28	Vermont	257
29	Virginia	256
30	Nebraska	256
31	North Carolina	255
32	Michigan	255
33	Missouri	255

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

NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

Nebraska ranks 26 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score
23	South Carolina	238
24	Kentucky	238
25	Idaho	238
26	Nebraska	238
27	Montana	238
28	Iowa	237
29	Kansas	237

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

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

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

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score
4	Minnesota	282
5	Utah	282
6	South Dakota	281
7	Nebraska	280
8	New Hampshire	280
9	North Dakota	280
10	Ohio	279

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

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

Nebraska ranks 8 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics
5	Minnesota	34.0%
6	South Dakota	33.3%
7	Colorado	32.5%
8	Nebraska	32.5%
9	Illinois	32.3%
10	Ohio	32.1%
11	Montana	32.1%

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

Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading (2024)

Nebraska ranks 15 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading
12	California	43.7%
13	Texas	42.9%
14	Alabama	42.4%
15	Nebraska	42.2%
16	Missouri	42.1%
17	Vermont	41.8%
18	North Carolina	41.7%

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

Current spending per pupil, public schools (FY2024)

Nebraska ranks 26 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau Annual Survey of School System Finances

Rank	Region	Current spending per pupil, public schools
23	Virginia	$17,104
24	North Dakota	$17,102
25	Minnesota	$17,098
26	Nebraska	$16,147
27	Wisconsin	$15,952
28	Colorado	$15,908
29	Georgia	$15,833

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

Nebraska ranks 42 of 51, highest first. Current dollars, not adjusted for inflation

Rank	Region	Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019
39	Ohio	+27.5%
40	Missouri	+27.1%
41	New York	+27.0%
42	Nebraska	+26.7%
43	Wisconsin	+26.6%
44	South Dakota	+26.5%
45	Wyoming	+25.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Share of public school revenue from local sources (FY2024)

Nebraska ranks 4 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)

Nebraska ranks 29 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Pupils per teacher, public schools
26	Delaware	14.2
27	South Carolina	14.1
28	Iowa	14.1
29	Nebraska	13.8
30	South Dakota	13.8
31	Illinois	13.7
32	Wisconsin	13.7

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)

Nebraska ranks 12 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023
9	Alabama	+0.6%
10	Florida	+0.5%
11	Louisiana	-0.3%
12	Nebraska	-0.3%
13	Montana	-0.4%
14	Alaska	-0.6%
15	Oklahoma	-0.7%

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)

Nebraska ranks 27 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher
24	Kansas	36.0%
25	Delaware	36.0%
26	Florida	35.8%
27	Nebraska	35.4%
28	Texas	35.2%
29	Arizona	34.7%
30	Wisconsin	34.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

Nebraska ranks 37 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent
34	Oregon	7.7%
35	Pennsylvania	7.6%
36	Idaho	7.5%
37	Nebraska	7.4%
38	Iowa	7.0%
39	Colorado	6.8%
40	Alaska	6.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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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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