Education in New Hampshire, United States: official figures
87.7% of public high school students in New Hampshire graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 17th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
Is the graduation rate in New Hampshire rising?
The four-year graduation rate in New Hampshire was 87.7% in 2021-22, compared with 86% 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 copyWhat is the graduation rate for disadvantaged students in New Hampshire?
In 2021-22 the four-year graduation rate in New Hampshire was 73.3% for economically disadvantaged students, 73.0% for students with disabilities and 68.0% for English learners (U.S.: 81.3%, 71.4%, 72.1% respectively).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copyWhat is the graduation rate by race in New Hampshire?
By race and ethnicity, the 2021-22 graduation rate in New Hampshire was 79.0% for Black, 76.0% for Hispanic and 88.6% for White students (U.S.: 81.0%, 82.8%, 89.8%).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copyHow do students in New Hampshire score in grade 4 reading?
Public school students in New Hampshire averaged 221 in fourth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 4th 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 33% below Basic.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copyHow do students in New Hampshire score in grade 8 reading?
Public school students in New Hampshire averaged 264 in eighth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 4th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 268 in 2019 (national public: 257, 262 in 2019). 34% scored at or above Proficient and 26% below Basic.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copyHow do students in New Hampshire score in grade 4 math?
Public school students in New Hampshire averaged 242 in fourth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 4th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 245 in 2019 (national public: 237, 240 in 2019). 43% scored at or above Proficient and 19% below Basic.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copyHow do students in New Hampshire score in grade 8 math?
Public school students in New Hampshire 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 287 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 copyHow much does New Hampshire spend per student?
Public school systems in New Hampshire spent $22,978 per pupil on current operations in fiscal year 2024, 8th 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 copyIs school spending per pupil in New Hampshire going up?
Current spending per pupil in New Hampshire rose from $17,462 in fiscal 2019 to $22,978 in fiscal 2024, up 31.6% before inflation (U.S.: up 33.6%); the change on fiscal 2023 was up 5.7%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat does New Hampshire spend school money on?
Of the $22,978 spent per pupil in New Hampshire in fiscal 2024, $13,888 went on instruction and $8,541 on support services; salaries and wages came to $11,391 per pupil and employee benefits $5,822.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhere does school funding in New Hampshire come from?
Public school systems in New Hampshire received $4.0 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024: 8.3% from the federal government, 28.3% from the state and 63.4% from local sources such as property taxes (U.S.: 11.6%, 45.2% and 43.2%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does New Hampshire spend on public schools in total?
Total spending by public school systems in New Hampshire was $3.9 billion in fiscal 2024, of which $3.6 billion was current spending and $282.26 million capital outlay on buildings and equipment; the systems owed $793.41 million in debt at the end of the year.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many students are in public schools in New Hampshire?
166,594 pupils were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in New Hampshire in fall 2023, down 6.1% on fall 2019 (177,351) and down 10.6% on fall 2013; nationally enrollment was down 2.5% since 2019.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copyWhat is the student-teacher ratio in New Hampshire?
Public schools in New Hampshire had 14,731 full-time-equivalent teachers in fall 2022, about 11.5 pupils per teacher, 4th fewest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 15.4; New Hampshire in fall 2019: 12.1).
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) · saved copyWhat percentage of people in New Hampshire have a college degree?
41.5% of adults aged 25 and over in New Hampshire, about 431,000 people, held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2024; 9th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 36.8%). That is up 1.3 percentage points on 2021 (40.2%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in New Hampshire have a graduate degree?
In 2024, 16.6% of adults 25 and over in New Hampshire had a graduate or professional degree and 9.7% an associate degree as their highest qualification (U.S.: 14.7% and 8.8%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many adults in New Hampshire did not finish high school?
95.0% of adults 25 and over in New Hampshire had at least a high school diploma or equivalent in 2024, leaving 5.0% without one; that share is the lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 10.1%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow New Hampshire compares with other states
Public high school 4-year graduation rate (ACGR) (2021-22)
New Hampshire ranks 18 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Arkansas | 88.2% |
| 16 | Delaware | 87.8% |
| 17 | Indiana | 87.7% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 87.7% |
| 19 | Florida | 87.3% |
| 20 | Illinois | 87.3% |
| 21 | Nebraska | 87.1% |
Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students (2021-22)
New Hampshire ranks 39 of 48, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate
| Rank | Region | Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Rhode Island | 75.7% |
| 37 | Vermont | 75.0% |
| 38 | Arizona | 73.3% |
| 39 | New Hampshire | 73.3% |
| 40 | Colorado | 71.9% |
| 41 | Minnesota | 71.1% |
| 42 | Alaska | 70.2% |
NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score (2024)
New Hampshire ranks 5 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500
| Rank | Region | NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | New Jersey | 222 |
| 3 | Wyoming | 222 |
| 4 | Colorado | 221 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 221 |
| 6 | Indiana | 220 |
| 7 | Connecticut | 219 |
| 8 | Utah | 219 |
NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score (2024)
New Hampshire ranks 4 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500
| Rank | Region | NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 268 |
| 2 | New Jersey | 266 |
| 3 | Colorado | 265 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 264 |
| 5 | Connecticut | 263 |
| 6 | Illinois | 262 |
| 7 | Indiana | 262 |
NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)
New Hampshire ranks 5 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500
| Rank | Region | NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Florida | 243 |
| 3 | Wyoming | 243 |
| 4 | Utah | 242 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 242 |
| 6 | Texas | 241 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 241 |
| 8 | North Dakota | 241 |
NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)
New Hampshire ranks 8 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500
| Rank | Region | NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Utah | 282 |
| 6 | South Dakota | 281 |
| 7 | Nebraska | 280 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 280 |
| 9 | North Dakota | 280 |
| 10 | Ohio | 279 |
| 11 | Montana | 279 |
Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (2024)
New Hampshire ranks 12 of 51, highest first. Public school students
| Rank | Region | Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Illinois | 32.3% |
| 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% |
Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading (2024)
New Hampshire ranks 49 of 51, highest first. Public school students
| Rank | Region | Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Mississippi | 35.4% |
| 46 | Colorado | 35.1% |
| 47 | Indiana | 34.7% |
| 48 | New Jersey | 33.7% |
| 49 | New Hampshire | 33.3% |
| 50 | Wyoming | 32.2% |
| 51 | Massachusetts | 31.7% |
Current spending per pupil, public schools (FY2024)
New Hampshire ranks 8 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau Annual Survey of School System Finances
| Rank | Region | Current spending per pupil, public schools |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Connecticut | $26,316 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $24,429 |
| 7 | Hawaii | $23,878 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $22,978 |
| 9 | Delaware | $22,201 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $22,110 |
| 11 | Illinois | $21,776 |
Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019 (FY2019-FY2024)
New Hampshire ranks 29 of 51, highest first. Current dollars, not adjusted for inflation
| Rank | Region | Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Rhode Island | +32.0% |
| 27 | North Carolina | +31.8% |
| 28 | Florida | +31.6% |
| 29 | New Hampshire | +31.6% |
| 30 | Texas | +31.2% |
| 31 | Indiana | +31.0% |
| 32 | Washington | +30.5% |
Share of public school revenue from local sources (FY2024)
New Hampshire ranks 2 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% |
Pupils per teacher, public schools (Fall 2022)
New Hampshire ranks 48 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data
| Rank | Region | Pupils per teacher, public schools |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 51 | Vermont | 10.5 |
Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023 (2019-2023)
New Hampshire ranks 47 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data
| Rank | Region | Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Rhode Island | -5.2% |
| 45 | New York | -5.9% |
| 46 | New Mexico | -5.9% |
| 47 | New Hampshire | -6.1% |
| 48 | Oregon | -6.2% |
| 49 | Mississippi | -6.3% |
| 50 | West Virginia | -6.3% |
Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher (2024)
New Hampshire ranks 9 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates
| Rank | Region | Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 40.0% |
Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent (2024)
New Hampshire ranks 51 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates
| Rank | Region | Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | North Dakota | 5.9% |
| 46 | Minnesota | 5.8% |
| 47 | Wyoming | 5.6% |
| 48 | Montana | 5.4% |
| 49 | Vermont | 5.3% |
| 50 | Maine | 5.2% |
| 51 | New Hampshire | 5.0% |
More on New Hampshire: 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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