Utah School Spending 2025: Key Findings
The Utah Taxpayers Association has released its 2025 School Spending Report, this year’s report offers a detailed look at how public education dollars are collected and spent across the state. The findings show both encouraging investment in students and important questions about how resources are allocated.
Education’s Share of Taxpayer Dollars
Public education remains one of the largest beneficiaries of Utah’s tax system as nearly 29% of all state funding is directed to public schools. Property taxes play a central role: 59% of property tax collections support schools, dwarfing what goes to cities and counties.
Revenue and Spending Trends
In fiscal year 2024, Utah’s school districts and charter schools received $9.9 billion in revenues but spent more than $10.3 billion. Per-student spending rose sharply—up more than $1,700 per student compared to the previous year.
Enrollment Changes
Statewide K-12 enrollment is down about 8,000 students, continuing a multi-year trend. Only 8 of Utah’s 41 districts gained students, with Nebo, Iron, and Garfield growing the most. By contrast, Tooele, Granite, and Davis posted significant declines. Charter schools, however, gained more than 3,000 students.
Teacher Pay and Administrative Costs
Average teacher salaries increased in 2024, but administrator salaries are also rising—growing as a percentage relative to teacher pay. This raises ongoing questions about prioritization of resources between classroom instruction and administrative overhead.
Funding Sources
Utah’s K-12 system draws from three primary sources:
- Local property taxes, which yielded $2.02 billion in 2024, with multiple levy types funding operations, capital, and debt service.
- Statewide property tax, generating $745 million under a uniform basic rate.
- Income taxes, which remain the backbone of education funding, contribute $6.2 billion in individual income tax and $883 million in corporate tax revenues.
Looking Ahead
With taxable property values up and tax rates slightly lower, Utah’s strong economy continues to sustain school funding. Yet, the divergence between revenue and spending, enrollment declines in many districts, and growth in administrative costs underscore the need for careful stewardship. ThIs report reminds policymakers, educators, and taxpayers alike that every education dollar must be aligned with the goal of preparing Utah’s children for success.
You can download the full report here.