ALBANY, NY (May 16, 2025) — New York school districts are set to spend an average of $35,404 per student for the 2025-26 school year, a 4.9 percent increase from the current year, according to new state data released by the Empire Center for Public Policy.
The proposed budgets, which voters will decide on Tuesday, May 20, outpace the state’s projected inflation rate of 2.9 percent. If approved, the spending would mark a significant rise from the current school year’s average of $33,404 per student.
“New York’s school spending continues to lead the nation, with budgets growing faster than inflation,” said Tim Hoefer, executive director of the Empire Center. “Districts are proposing significant increases despite steady enrollment and record-high state aid.”
Statewide enrollment in New York public schools for the 2024-25 school year remained stable at 2.24 million students, according to the Empire Center’s analysis. The proposed budgets come as districts receive substantial state aid, which Hoefer noted has reached unprecedented levels.
The Empire Center’s report highlights that the average per-pupil expenditure in New York is the highest in the United States. The proposed 4.9 percent increase would bring the total spending to more than $35,000 per student, a figure that includes operational costs, teacher salaries, and other expenses.
Voters across the state will cast ballots on May 20 to approve or reject the proposed budgets. The Empire Center emphasized that the budgets reflect a trend of spending growth that has outpaced inflation for several years.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.