It all depends what you want to measure. If you're choosing a state to live in to give the best public education for your children, then the per-student expens

It all depends what you want to measure. If you're choosing a state to live in to give the best public education for your children, then the per-student expense really isn't important as you aren't directly paying. If you're a politician to rate states based on the efficiency of education spend, then their ranking is more relevant.