North Carolina Schools & Education
School quality and education data for all 100 counties.
Avg Graduation Rate
88.0%
Avg Per-Pupil Spending
$6,969
Avg School Score
40/100
Total Schools
2,715
333 districts
State Overview
About Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina Outpaces Benchmarks on a Budget
North Carolina reports an 88.0% graduation rate, edging out the 87.0% national average despite spending significantly less per student. At just $6,969 per pupil, the state operates well below the $13,000 national spending median while maintaining a school score of 52.4.
A Wide Performance Gap Across 100 Districts
The state's 100 counties show a massive 21-point swing in graduation rates, from a 97.0% high in Jones County to a 76.0% low in Cherokee County. School scores also vary significantly, with the top-tier districts outperforming the lowest-ranked county by nearly 17 points.
High Efficiency in Educational ROI
North Carolina demonstrates strong return on investment by achieving a graduation rate above the national average with only $6,969 in per-pupil spending. This lean funding model still yields an average school score of 52.4, which sits above the national median of 50.0.
Hyde, Tyrrell, and Jones Lead the State
Hyde County takes the top spot with a 63.4 school score, supported by the state's highest per-pupil investment of $10,356. Tyrrell and Jones counties follow closely, both boasting 95.0% or higher graduation rates and scores that lead the state's academic rankings.
Lean Funding with Solid Results
North Carolina is a strong choice for families seeking efficient districts that over-perform relative to their spending levels. For the highest academic quality and graduation assurance, coastal counties like Hyde and Jones offer the state's best educational outcomes.
Top Performing School Counties
All North Carolina 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.