On January 15, 2025, the New Hampshire Department of Education issued a press release on statewide enrollment trends and education costs per student by municipality. For the first time, the average cost per student in New Hampshire exceeded $20,000 at $21,545 and statewide student enrollment is down 10% from 2015. New Hampshire has the 7th highest expenditure per student in the United States. Nationwide, the average cost per student is $15,591.00. (FY 2022) See links below.
New Hampshire’s cost per pupil continues upward trend | Department of Education
fall-enrollment-trends-2015-2025.pdf
Portsmouth’s 2024 per student cost is $25,488.00 and Portsmouth’s student enrollment has decreased 9% since 2015. The cost per student in Portsmouth’s peer cities is as follows:
Berlin – $24,138.0
Claremont – $23,665.00
Concord – $23,159.00
Dover – $18,618.00 (has tax cap protection)
Franklin – $21,464.00 (has tax cap protection)
Keene- $19,378.00
Laconia – $22,815.00 (has tax cap protection)
Lebanon – $26,624.00
Manchester – $17,734.00 (has tax cap protection)
Nashua – $18,270.00
Rochester – $19,582.00 (has tax cap protection)
Somersworth – $21,031.00 (has tax cap protection)
U.S. News and World Report ranks New Hampshire #4 in Pre-K through 12 education and # 9 in education overall.
