Nebraska Schools & Education
School quality and education data for all 93 counties.
Avg Graduation Rate
86.9%
Avg Per-Pupil Spending
$10,521
Avg School Score
64/100
Total Schools
1,092
271 districts
State Overview
About Schools in Nebraska
Nebraska Delivers National Results on a Lean Budget
Nebraska maintains a graduation rate of 86.9%, placing it just 0.1% shy of the national average. Despite this parity, the state spends only $10,521 per pupil, which is significantly lower than the $13,000 national benchmark. These efficient results help Nebraska achieve an average school score of 59.1, well above the national median of 50.0.
Diverse Performance Across 91 Reporting Counties
The state features a vast educational landscape where graduation rates swing from 96.3% in Washington County to 58.4% in Dawes County. Funding levels vary just as widely, with per-pupil spending ranging from a low of $7,010 to nearly $19,500. This data covers 91 of the state's 93 counties, revealing a system with high regional variation in both resources and results.
High Efficiency Defines Nebraska’s Educational ROI
Nebraska secures a competitive 86.9% graduation rate while spending nearly $2,500 less per student than the national average. While the state average spending is lean, the data suggests a correlation between heavy investment and peak performance in specific districts. This fiscal strategy provides strong outcomes for taxpayers, though localized spending spikes are often required to hit the highest quality scores.
Top Performance Concentrated in High-Investment Counties
Wheeler, Sioux, and McPherson counties lead the state with school scores all exceeding 70.0. These top-tier districts stand out by investing over $18,400 per pupil, nearly double the state average. Although their graduation rates sit at 75.0%, their intensive funding levels drive the highest overall quality ratings in Nebraska.
A Strong Choice for Education-Minded Families
Nebraska is a high-performing state that beats the national median school score with remarkable budget efficiency. Families should target Washington County for the highest graduation rates or look to Wheeler County for the best overall school scores. While Dawes County lags in outcomes, most of the state offers a stable and effective public school system.
Top Performing School Counties
All Nebraska Counties
— = data pending from NCES pipeline.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.