Support Us Button Widget

Education by the numbers in South Carolina

Screen Shot 2021-01-28 at 3.49.56 PM

Image via Pexels

One thing doesn’t changeeducation is always a hot topic in South Carolina. The sentiment shared amongst most is that teachers don’t get paid enough for all that they do. We count on educators to mold the future generation with the skills they need for tomorrow.

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to teach South Carolina students these important tools? There is a helpful dashboard for that, thanks to Palmetto Promise. Today, we’re breaking down the numbers of what a public education (K-12) costs in South Carolina.

💰How much do we spend?

Education spending represents approx. 40% of South Carolina’s general fund. State K-12 education spending, which comes from the Department of Education, totaled $4.8 billion in 2019-2020. This is the first time the budget reached this amount in state history. Add in local + federal spending to this sum and the annual education budget climbs to $10.4 billion (not including coronavirus federal emergency funds).

💰Where does the money go?

This one-of-a-kind dashboard compares data for each district, including per student revenue, percent spent on instruction, graduation rate, college readiness, and average teacher salary.

Let’s take a closer look and make cents of these numbers.

Screen Shot 2021-01-28 at 3.49.39 PM

Education stats for South Carolina | Image via Palmetto Promise Dashboard

South Carolina public education by the numbers for 2020-2021:

758,752 Number of students in South Carolina

52,733 Number of teachers in South Carolina

81 – Number of public school districts

683 – Number of primary schools

335 Number of middle schools

248 Number of high schools

81% – State graduation rate

49.7% – State average for SC Ready 3rd grade English Language Arts

36.6% – State average for SC Ready 8th grade Math

41.7% – State average for college readiness

72.5% – State average for career readiness

$14,801 – State average revenue per student

$9,497 – State average public school spending per student

$49,737 State average teacher salary

Wondering what these numbers look like in your district? Check out the dashboard below.

Dig into the local data.

More from GVLtoday
Discover Greenville’s late-night dining spots, from bagels and pizza to pub fare and desserts, perfect for post-11 p.m. cravings.
Whether your neighborhood is sweet or savory, cheesy or carby, we put together a list of Greenville suburbs as Thanksgiving sides to liven up your family dinner.
The Picklr is coming to the North Hills Shopping Center in early 2025 and will feature a pro shop, event space, and grab-and-go food and drinks.
We’re a short drive from some of the best trees in the US, and we’ve rounded up 10+ Christmas tree farms where you can pick your perfect pine.
The annual toilet trophy contest winners have been announced, and here are Off the Grid Greenville’s picks for the 2024 Flushie Award winners.
Duke Energy launched an online street + light repair form on its website so you can apply to get your light fixed in a jiffy.
Each year, the Gratefull GVL event brings together thousands of Greenvillians for a communal meal during the week of Thanksgiving.
Check out some of the coolest, most unique Airbnb and Vrbo rentals around Greenville, South Carolina and plan for your next adventure or staycation.
From mushroom brews to mushroom bites, here’s what you can expect at Greenville’s inaugural mushroom festival.
Historical markers are physical signs, plaques, and statues that commemorate a significant place or event. Where would you like to see a historical marker around Greenville?