SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A report by the Census Bureau ranks New Mexico as 34th in the nation for its public education spending.
The Santa Fe New Mexico reports the Census Bureau released their findings last week. The report took from nationwide data from the 2014-15. According to the Census Bureau, New Mexico spent $9,752 per student during those years, 14 percent less than the national average for that period.
In comparison, Utah spent around $6,500 per student, while New York invested a hefty $21,206.
Experts found that despite those amounts, the state's proficiency scores and graduation rates are behind New York's by less than 10 percent while Utah's graduation rate exceeds New Mexico.
The bureau's data shows that New Mexico has slowly been increasing the money it puts toward students since 2012.