What share of students in North Carolina are proficient in math?

In 2024, 31% of eighth graders in North Carolina public schools were at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (14th highest among the 50 states and DC) and 27% in reading, compared with 37% and 33% in 2019 (national public 2024: 27% and 29%).

Education in North Carolina, United States: official figures

86.4% of public high school students in North Carolina graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 25th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).

High school graduation rate (4-year ACGR)

86.4%

2021-22

NAEP fourth-grade reading score

213

2024

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics score

276

2024

Current spending per pupil, public schools

$12,995

FY2024

Public school enrollment

1,544,289

Fall 2023

Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

37.1%

2024

Is the graduation rate in North Carolina rising?

The four-year graduation rate in North Carolina was 86.4% in 2021-22, compared with 80% in 2011-12 and 86.5% 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 North Carolina?

In 2021-22 the four-year graduation rate in North Carolina was 79.5% for economically disadvantaged students, 71.0% for students with disabilities and 66.9% 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 North Carolina?

By race and ethnicity, the 2021-22 graduation rate in North Carolina was 83.4% for Black, 80.2% for Hispanic and 89.9% 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 North Carolina score in grade 4 reading?

Public school students in North Carolina averaged 213 in fourth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 20th lowest among the 50 states and DC, down from 221 in 2019 (national public: 214, 219 in 2019). 30% 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 North Carolina score in grade 8 reading?

Public school students in North Carolina averaged 255 in eighth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 21st lowest among the 50 states and DC, down from 263 in 2019 (national public: 257, 262 in 2019). 27% scored at or above Proficient and 35% below Basic.

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

How do students in North Carolina score in grade 4 math?

Public school students in North Carolina 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 241 in 2019 (national public: 237, 240 in 2019). 41% scored at or above Proficient and 23% below Basic.

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

How do students in North Carolina score in grade 8 math?

Public school students in North Carolina averaged 276 in eighth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 18th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 284 in 2019 (national public: 272, 281 in 2019). 31% scored at or above Proficient and 38% below Basic.

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

How much does North Carolina spend per student?

Public school systems in North Carolina spent $12,995 per pupil on current operations in fiscal year 2024, 10th lowest 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 North Carolina going up?

Current spending per pupil in North Carolina rose from $9,857 in fiscal 2019 to $12,995 in fiscal 2024, up 31.8% before inflation (U.S.: up 33.6%); the change on fiscal 2023 was up 4.0%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

What does North Carolina spend school money on?

Of the $12,995 spent per pupil in North Carolina in fiscal 2024, $8,017 went on instruction and $4,330 on support services; salaries and wages came to $7,532 per pupil and employee benefits $3,155.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Where does school funding in North Carolina come from?

Public school systems in North Carolina received $19.9 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024: 17.4% from the federal government, 57.1% from the state and 25.5% 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 North Carolina spend on public schools in total?

Total spending by public school systems in North Carolina was $20.9 billion in fiscal 2024, of which $18.2 billion was current spending and $2.4 billion capital outlay on buildings and equipment; the systems owed $8.6 billion in debt at the end of the year.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many students are in public schools in North Carolina?

1,544,289 pupils were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in North Carolina in fall 2023, down 1.0% on fall 2019 (1,560,350) and up 0.9% 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 North Carolina?

Public schools in North Carolina had 99,980 full-time-equivalent teachers in fall 2022, about 15.4 pupils per teacher, 18th most among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 15.4; North Carolina in fall 2019: 15.5).

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

What percentage of people in North Carolina have a college degree?

37.1% of adults aged 25 and over in North Carolina, about 2,840,000 people, held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2024; joint 19th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 36.8%). That is up 2.2 percentage points on 2021 (34.9%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in North Carolina have a graduate degree?

In 2024, 14.5% of adults 25 and over in North Carolina had a graduate or professional degree and 10.2% 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 North Carolina did not finish high school?

90.9% of adults 25 and over in North Carolina had at least a high school diploma or equivalent in 2024, leaving 9.1% without one; that share is 21st highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 10.1%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How North Carolina compares with other states

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

North Carolina ranks 25 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)
22	California	87.0%
23	Pennsylvania	87.0%
24	New York	86.7%
25	North Carolina	86.4%
26	Maryland	86.3%
27	Ohio	86.2%
28	Maine	86.1%

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

Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students (2021-22)

North Carolina ranks 24 of 48, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate

Rank	Region	Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students
21	Oregon	80.7%
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%

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

NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score (2024)

North Carolina ranks 32 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score
29	Virginia	214
30	Minnesota	214
31	South Dakota	214
32	North Carolina	213
33	Alabama	213
34	Nevada	213
35	Kansas	213

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

NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score (2024)

North Carolina ranks 31 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

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

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

NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

North Carolina ranks 14 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score
11	Indiana	240
12	South Dakota	240
13	Ohio	239
14	North Carolina	239
15	Colorado	239
16	Wisconsin	239
17	Connecticut	239

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

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

North Carolina ranks 19 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score
16	Illinois	277
17	Connecticut	277
18	Pennsylvania	276
19	North Carolina	276
20	Tennessee	276
21	Vermont	276
22	Virginia	275

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

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

North Carolina ranks 14 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics
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%
17	Indiana	30.8%

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

Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading (2024)

North Carolina ranks 18 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading
15	Nebraska	42.2%
16	Missouri	42.1%
17	Vermont	41.8%
18	North Carolina	41.7%
19	Virginia	41.5%
20	Nevada	41.4%
21	Maryland	40.8%

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

Current spending per pupil, public schools (FY2024)

North Carolina ranks 42 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau Annual Survey of School System Finances

Rank	Region	Current spending per pupil, public schools
39	Montana	$13,656
40	Alabama	$13,627
41	Indiana	$13,622
42	North Carolina	$12,995
43	Texas	$12,895
44	Tennessee	$12,882
45	South Dakota	$12,828

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

North Carolina ranks 27 of 51, highest first. Current dollars, not adjusted for inflation

Rank	Region	Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019
24	Mississippi	+32.7%
25	Louisiana	+32.5%
26	Rhode Island	+32.0%
27	North Carolina	+31.8%
28	Florida	+31.6%
29	New Hampshire	+31.6%
30	Texas	+31.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Share of public school revenue from local sources (FY2024)

North Carolina ranks 44 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau

Rank	Region	Share of public school revenue from local sources
41	Minnesota	30.2%
42	Kansas	26.5%
43	Washington	26.1%
44	North Carolina	25.5%
45	Alaska	23.8%
46	Idaho	20.9%
47	New Mexico	16.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Pupils per teacher, public schools (Fall 2022)

North Carolina ranks 18 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Pupils per teacher, public schools
15	Colorado	16.3
16	Indiana	15.8
17	Minnesota	15.5
18	North Carolina	15.4
19	Tennessee	15.3
20	Kentucky	15.3
21	Texas	14.8

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)

North Carolina ranks 17 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023
14	Alaska	-0.6%
15	Oklahoma	-0.7%
16	Ohio	-0.9%
17	North Carolina	-1.0%
18	Tennessee	-1.0%
19	Georgia	-1.1%
20	New Jersey	-1.4%

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)

North Carolina ranks 19 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher
16	California	38.1%
17	Oregon	37.8%
18	Hawaii	37.8%
19	North Carolina	37.1%
20	Maine	37.1%
21	Pennsylvania	36.4%
22	Georgia	36.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

North Carolina ranks 21 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent
18	Tennessee	9.4%
19	Indiana	9.4%
20	Illinois	9.3%
21	North Carolina	9.1%
22	South Carolina	9.0%
23	Massachusetts	8.6%
24	Maryland	8.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

More on North Carolina: 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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