The combined taxpayer cost of universal voucher programs now exceeds $10 billion annually across 18 states. Most of that money goes to families whose children already attend private school. In at least four states, actual costs have blown past projections by hundreds of millions of dollars.
$10 billion per year in taxpayer money across 18 states. Most goes to families whose children already attend private school.
State-by-state voucher programs
Per-student funding, total cost, and accountability requirements across all 18 universal or near-universal programs
| State | Per-Student | Total Annual Cost | Year Universal | Testing Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $7,000 | $940M+ | 2022 | None |
| Arkansas | $6,994 | $310M | 2023 | Norm-referenced |
| Florida | ~$8,000 | $3.5B+ | 2023 | Norm-referenced |
| Indiana | $5,500-$7,000 | $497M | 2026 | State test |
| Iowa | $7,598 | $314M | 2023 | State test |
| New Hampshire | $5,655 | $51.6M | 2025 | None |
| North Carolina | $7,468 | $560M+ | 2024 | Standardized |
| Ohio | $6,166-$8,408 | $1.09B | 2023 | State test |
| Texas | $10,474 | $1B | 2025 | Norm-referenced |
| Wisconsin | $10,877-$13,371 | $700M | 2025 | State test |
Table shows 10 of 18 states. Others: GA, ID, LA, OK, SC, TN, WV, WY.
Four states blew past their budgets
Arizona projected $65 million in Year 1. Actual spending reached $940 million, a 1,346% overshoot. Florida projected $646 million; independent estimates put actual costs near $3.5 billion.
Arkansas budgeted $46 million; costs reached $310 million within two years. Ohio exceeded estimates in Year 1, reaching $1.09 billion.
The pattern: programs launch with projections based on modest enrollment. Existing private school families claim funds. Costs balloon. Legislatures choose between cutting public schools or blowing through caps.
The accountability gap
Only six of 18 states require voucher students to take the same state test as public school students. Arizona, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Wyoming impose no academic accountability at all. That makes it impossible to determine whether students receiving vouchers are learning more, less, or the same.
See our full analysis in the voucher accountability brief.
What you can do
- Ask your state legislators whether voucher costs exceeded projections in your state. Name the program and the number.
- Ask your school board how voucher transfers affected local public school funding this year.
- Share this guide with parents considering vouchers. They should know what accountability exists before they give up IDEA protections and public school safeguards.
Sources
- FutureEd: Legislative tracker for 2026 state private school choice bills
- Raise Your Hand Texas: School vouchers 101 and who actually benefits
- Arizona Mirror: Audit finds Arizona voucher oversight is haphazard and riddled with gaps
- Arkansas Advocate: What is happening with the state’s $310 million voucher program
- WLRN: Florida voucher program costs surpass $3.5 billion
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: Private school voucher spending tops $497 million as enrollment slows