Center for Alaska Education Policy Research, University of Alaska Anchorage
Abstract
In 2019, ISER analyzed Alaska’s per-pupil spending compared to that of other U.S.
states, using 2017 figures. In this update, we use the same methods to contextualize
Alaska’s 2019 spending.
Alaska still ranks 6th highest in nominal per-pupil spending among states. However,
the 2019 figures show that per-pupil spending in raw dollars was 39% higher than the
U.S. average, compared to 46% higher in 2017. After adjusting for Alaska’s higher living
costs, and accounting for differing per-pupil spending costs across the state, the figures
show that Alaska’s 2019 per student spending was only 93% of the national average,
compared to 98% in 2017 (see table below)
