North Carolina Education Statistics 2026: Schools, Enrollment & Spending
North Carolina funded 1,533,889 public school students in 2025-26. The state budget report counted 2,694 schools on its standard reporting basis, while Census finance data placed current public school spending at $12,995 per pupil in fiscal year 2024.
State Education Snapshot
Each measure retains the reporting period and definition used by its source.
Current Spending Per Pupil
Fiscal year 2024 public elementary-secondary current spending in nominal dollars.
North Carolina was $1,158 below the South weighted average and $4,624 below the national average. Census current spending excludes capital outlay, debt service and non-K-12 programs.
Data analysis
- North Carolina's FY 2024 amount was 8.2% below the South weighted average.
- The state amount was 26.2% below the national average.
- The comparison is not adjusted for inflation or regional price differences.
- Current spending is narrower than total expenditure because it excludes capital and debt costs.
North Carolina Education Data Table
The table separates school-year membership and budget measures from fiscal-year Census finance measures.
| Indicator | Value | Period | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funded student membership | 1,533,889 | 2025-26 | Funded average daily membership |
| Prior funded membership | 1,538,563 | 2024-25 | Funded average daily membership |
| Annual membership change | -4,674 (-0.3%) | 2024-25 to 2025-26 | Calculated from NCDPI funded ADM |
| Schools | 2,694 | 2025-26 | NCDPI count using 214 charter organizations |
| Public school units | 336 | 2025-26 | LEAs, charters, lab schools and regional school |
| Teachers | 100,169 | 2025-26 | LEA and independent public school teachers |
| State public school requirements | $12,754,704,541 | 2025-26 | Requirements before receipts |
| State appropriations | $12,002,551,952 | 2025-26 | Requirements after designated receipts |
| Federal funding | $1.1 billion | 2025-26 | Excludes child nutrition |
| Current spending per pupil | $12,995 | FY 2024 | Census current operational spending |
| South spending average | $14,153 | FY 2024 | Census regional weighted average |
| U.S. spending average | $17,619 | FY 2024 | Census national average |
Data analysis
- Funded ADM declined by 4,674 students between the two budget reports.
- Funded ADM is a finance measure and can differ from fall enrollment, final ADM and headcount.
- The state appropriation figure is not comparable with Census current spending because the measures cover different funding sources and accounting categories.
Public School Structure
NCDPI distinguishes governing units, charter organizations and individual school sites.
| School type | Units | School sites | Reporting treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local education agencies | 115 | 2,473 | Included in PSU and school counts |
| Charter schools | 214 | 222 | Eight charters operated remote academies |
| Lab schools | 6 | 6 | Included in PSU count |
| Regional school | 1 | 1 | Included in PSU count |
| Residential schools | 3 | 3 | Separately appropriated; excluded from PSU total |
| Public school units | 336 | 2,702* | *Site total uses 222 charter campuses and excludes residential schools |
Data analysis
- NCDPI's 2,694 quick-count uses 214 charter organizations rather than 222 charter sites.
- The 336 PSU total equals 115 LEAs, 214 charters, six lab schools and one regional school.
- Residential schools receive direct appropriations and are excluded from the PSU total.
2025-26 State Funding Requirements
Major components of the $12.75 billion North Carolina public school fund requirement.
| Budget component | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional personnel and services | $7,647,689,176 | 59.96% |
| Weighted categorical programs | $3,968,273,180 | 31.11% |
| Noninstructional support personnel | $515,273,243 | 4.04% |
| Other public school appropriations | $326,217,947 | 2.56% |
| Central office administration | $111,844,999 | 0.88% |
| ADM contingency reserve | $97,818,500 | 0.77% |
| Grants and school-level programs | $87,587,496 | 0.69% |
| Total fund requirements | $12,754,704,541 | 100.00% |
| State appropriations after receipts | $12,002,551,952 | 94.10% |
Data analysis
- Instructional personnel and weighted programs together represent 91.07% of fund requirements.
- Weighted programs include exceptional children, transportation, career and technical education, low-wealth funding and other targeted allotments.
- Designated receipts reduce the amount supplied through state appropriations by $752.2 million.
Interpreting the 2026 Statistics
The measures describe different parts of the public education system and should not be merged into a single rate.
Funded ADM determines state allocations. It is not a fall enrollment headcount and may include statutory funding protections when actual membership declines.
The reported total changes depending on whether charter organizations, remote academies, residential schools or individual sites are counted.
The $12.75 billion requirement covers state-funded public school programs. Local and federal revenue are not fully represented in that amount.
The $12,995 per-pupil measure covers current operating expenditure from federal, state and local sources. Capital outlay and debt service are excluded.
Source and Methodology
NCDPI, Highlights of the North Carolina Public School Budget, March 2026
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Public Elementary-Secondary Education Finance Data
2025-26 school year and state budget
Fiscal year 2024
North Carolina public elementary and secondary education
Students, schools, public school units, teachers and nominal dollars
Percent changes and spending gaps were calculated from the published source values. Dollar figures are not adjusted for inflation or geographic cost differences. Values shown in billions are rounded for display; tables retain published dollar amounts where available.
School-year enrollment, state budget requirements and fiscal-year Census expenditure are separate measures. Per-pupil spending does not describe school quality or student outcomes by itself. Cross-state comparisons should also account for labor costs, student needs, district structure, capital accounting and regional prices.