This map tracks the share of state spending on education (both K–12 and Higher Ed) from total state expenditures as sourced by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) from State Fiscal Year 2023.

In fact, ranks 3–8 are all Southern states, led by Mississippi and Alabama, tying at 56%.

By actual dollar amounts, both these states are quite low (between $7–13 billion in 2023).

However it is important to see what states can do, and what they prioritize, with the budgets they have. Because, by pure numbers, the richest states still spend the most dollars on education.

Ranked first, California ($86 billion) spends as much as New York ($43 billion) and Texas ($42 billion) combined. Unsurprisingly California is also home to several top-ranked universities and schools.

Nevertheless, putting both metrics together can lead to conflicting deductions. Even though Illinois spends the least proportionately, its total expenditure nears $13 billion, making it top 20 by dollar amount. The opposite is true for Nevada.