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

In 2024, 29% of eighth graders in North Dakota public schools were at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics (joint 20th highest among the 50 states and DC) and 25% in reading, compared with 37% and 32% in 2019 (national public 2024: 27% and 29%).

Education in North Dakota, United States: official figures

85.1% of public high school students in North Dakota graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 18th lowest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).

High school graduation rate (4-year ACGR)

85.1%

2021-22

NAEP fourth-grade reading score

216

2024

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics score

280

2024

Current spending per pupil, public schools

$17,102

FY2024

Public school enrollment

119,033

Fall 2023

Adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

34.0%

2024

Is the graduation rate in North Dakota rising?

The four-year graduation rate in North Dakota was 85.1% in 2021-22, compared with 87% in 2011-12 and 88.3% 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 Dakota?

In 2021-22 the four-year graduation rate in North Dakota was 69.0% for economically disadvantaged students, 66.0% for students with disabilities and 73.0% 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 North Dakota?

By race and ethnicity, the 2021-22 graduation rate in North Dakota was 72.0% for Black, 74.0% for Hispanic and 89.7% 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 Dakota score in grade 4 reading?

Public school students in North Dakota averaged 216 in fourth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 13th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 221 in 2019 (national public: 214, 219 in 2019). 29% scored at or above Proficient and 38% below Basic.

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

How do students in North Dakota score in grade 8 reading?

Public school students in North Dakota averaged 257 in eighth-grade reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 24th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 263 in 2019 (national public: 257, 262 in 2019). 25% scored at or above Proficient and 32% below Basic.

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

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

Public school students in North Dakota averaged 241 in fourth-grade mathematics on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), joint 6th highest among the 50 states and DC, down from 243 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 copy

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

Public school students in North Dakota 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 286 in 2019 (national public: 272, 281 in 2019). 29% scored at or above Proficient and 29% below Basic.

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

How much does North Dakota spend per student?

Public school systems in North Dakota spent $17,102 per pupil on current operations in fiscal year 2024, 24th 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 North Dakota going up?

Current spending per pupil in North Dakota rose from $14,004 in fiscal 2019 to $17,102 in fiscal 2024, up 22.1% before inflation (U.S.: up 33.6%); the change on fiscal 2023 was up 6.1%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

What does North Dakota spend school money on?

Of the $17,102 spent per pupil in North Dakota in fiscal 2024, $10,118 went on instruction and $5,614 on support services; salaries and wages came to $9,853 per pupil and employee benefits $3,756.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Where does school funding in North Dakota come from?

Public school systems in North Dakota received $2.5 billion in revenue in fiscal 2024: 15.4% from the federal government, 46.2% from the state and 38.4% 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 Dakota spend on public schools in total?

Total spending by public school systems in North Dakota was $2.5 billion in fiscal 2024, of which $2.1 billion was current spending and $400.40 million capital outlay on buildings and equipment; the systems owed $970.75 million in debt at the end of the year.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many students are in public schools in North Dakota?

119,033 pupils were enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in North Dakota in fall 2023, up 2.5% on fall 2019 (116,185) and up 14.5% 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 Dakota?

Public schools in North Dakota had 9,581 full-time-equivalent teachers in fall 2022, about 12.4 pupils per teacher, 9th fewest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 15.4; North Dakota in fall 2019: 12.5).

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

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

34.0% of adults aged 25 and over in North Dakota, about 180,000 people, held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2024; 20th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 36.8%). That is up 2.3 percentage points on 2021 (31.7%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in North Dakota have a graduate degree?

In 2024, 10.5% of adults 25 and over in North Dakota had a graduate or professional degree and 14.2% 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 Dakota did not finish high school?

94.1% of adults 25 and over in North Dakota had at least a high school diploma or equivalent in 2024, leaving 5.9% without one; that share is 7th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 10.1%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How North Dakota compares with other states

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

North Dakota ranks 32 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)
29	Hawaii	86.0%
30	Montana	85.8%
31	New Jersey	85.2%
32	North Dakota	85.1%
33	Georgia	84.1%
34	South Carolina	83.8%
35	Washington	83.6%

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

Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students (2021-22)

North Dakota ranks 45 of 48, highest first. Adjusted cohort graduation rate

Rank	Region	Graduation rate of economically disadvantaged students
42	Alaska	70.2%
43	Michigan	69.6%
44	Idaho	69.6%
45	North Dakota	69.0%
46	Wyoming	68.0%
47	District of Columbia	65.0%
48	South Dakota	60.0%

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

NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score (2024)

North Dakota ranks 21 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade reading, average score
18	Idaho	216
19	Hawaii	216
20	Rhode Island	216
21	North Dakota	216
22	New York	215
23	Tennessee	215
24	Wisconsin	215

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

NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score (2024)

North Dakota ranks 27 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade reading, average score
24	New York	257
25	Louisiana	257
26	Hawaii	257
27	North Dakota	257
28	Vermont	257
29	Virginia	256
30	Nebraska	256

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

NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

North Dakota ranks 8 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP fourth-grade mathematics, average score
5	New Hampshire	242
6	Texas	241
7	Minnesota	241
8	North Dakota	241
9	New Jersey	240
10	Tennessee	240
11	Indiana	240

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

NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score (2024)

North Dakota ranks 9 of 51, highest first. Public school students; scale 0-500

Rank	Region	NAEP eighth-grade mathematics, average score
6	South Dakota	281
7	Nebraska	280
8	New Hampshire	280
9	North Dakota	280
10	Ohio	279
11	Montana	279
12	Indiana	278

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

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

North Dakota ranks 21 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Eighth graders at or above NAEP Proficient in mathematics
18	Tennessee	30.5%
19	Wyoming	30.0%
20	Washington	29.5%
21	North Dakota	29.5%
22	Virginia	28.5%
23	Vermont	28.5%
24	Iowa	27.2%

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

Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading (2024)

North Dakota ranks 37 of 51, highest first. Public school students

Rank	Region	Fourth graders below NAEP Basic in reading
34	Tennessee	38.9%
35	Wisconsin	38.8%
36	Idaho	38.6%
37	North Dakota	38.4%
38	Ohio	38.2%
39	Pennsylvania	37.8%
40	Montana	37.8%

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

Current spending per pupil, public schools (FY2024)

North Dakota ranks 24 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau Annual Survey of School System Finances

Rank	Region	Current spending per pupil, public schools
21	New Mexico	$17,664
22	Ohio	$17,257
23	Virginia	$17,104
24	North Dakota	$17,102
25	Minnesota	$17,098
26	Nebraska	$16,147
27	Wisconsin	$15,952

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

North Dakota ranks 48 of 51, highest first. Current dollars, not adjusted for inflation

Rank	Region	Change in current spending per pupil since FY2019
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%
51	Montana	+13.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Share of public school revenue from local sources (FY2024)

North Dakota ranks 29 of 51, highest first. Census Bureau

Rank	Region	Share of public school revenue from local sources
26	Iowa	39.9%
27	Tennessee	39.8%
28	Wyoming	39.1%
29	North Dakota	38.4%
30	Oregon	37.7%
31	Kentucky	37.0%
32	Wisconsin	36.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Pupils per teacher, public schools (Fall 2022)

North Dakota ranks 43 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Pupils per teacher, public schools
40	Arkansas	12.7
41	Rhode Island	12.7
42	Wyoming	12.6
43	North Dakota	12.4
44	Massachusetts	12.0
45	New Jersey	11.8
46	New York	11.7

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)

North Dakota ranks 2 of 51, highest first. Common Core of Data

Rank	Region	Change in public school enrollment, fall 2019 to fall 2023
1	District of Columbia	+3.2%
2	North Dakota	+2.5%
3	Idaho	+1.7%
4	Delaware	+1.4%
5	South Dakota	+1.1%
6	South Carolina	+0.9%
7	Utah	+0.8%

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 Dakota ranks 32 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over with a bachelor's degree or higher
29	Arizona	34.7%
30	Wisconsin	34.6%
31	South Dakota	34.2%
32	North Dakota	34.0%
33	Missouri	33.5%
34	Michigan	33.3%
35	South Carolina	33.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

North Dakota ranks 45 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey 1-year estimates

Rank	Region	Adults 25 and over without a high school diploma or equivalent
42	Wisconsin	6.3%
43	Hawaii	6.3%
44	South Dakota	6.0%
45	North Dakota	5.9%
46	Minnesota	5.8%
47	Wyoming	5.6%
48	Montana	5.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

More on North Dakota: 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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