United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland vs United States of America: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
43,434 millions
in 2021
United States of America
362,265 millions
in 2021
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
4th
United States of America rank
1st

Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ over time

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  • United States of America
0100.0k200.0k300.0k400.0k197119962021

How they compare

United States of America currently reports 362,265 millions against 43,434 millions in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a difference of 318,831 millions.

That makes United States of America's figure about 8.3 times United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's.

Across all 7 years both countries report, United States of America has been ahead every year.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 4th and United States of America ranks 1st of 164 countries.

United States of America has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland United States of America Difference Ahead
2010s 39,735 millions 252,185 millions 212,451 millions United States of America
2020s 43,218 millions 374,102 millions 330,883 millions United States of America

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher government expenditure on tertiary education, us$, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or United States of America?
United States of America, at 362,265 millions against 43,434 millions in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as of 2021.
What is the difference in government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ between United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America?
318,831 millions, with United States of America ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America?
7 years are reported by both, from 2015 to 2021.
How do United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America rank globally for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 4th and United States of America ranks 1st of 164 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland vs United States of America: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/government-expenditure-on-tertiary-education-us-millions-2/united-kingdom/united-states/

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About this data

Indicator
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ (millions)
Unit
millions
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
164 places, 3,651 data points, 1970–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release