High school shapes the lives of millions of students in the US. How many people graduate from high school, and what percentage of high school graduates proceed to college? In this article, we’ll take a close and comprehensive look into the US high school landscape. We’ll cover:
- Number of high schools in the US
- High school enrollment rates and trends
- Demographic breakdown of high school students
- High school graduation rates per state
- High school dropout rates
- Statistics on teachers in high school
- Academic performance of high school students
- College and career readiness among high school students
- Impact of high school completion
Top high school statistics
- The overall high school graduation rate in the United States is 87.3%.
- 89% of girls graduate high school on time compared to 83% of boys.
- Virginia boasts the highest state graduation rate at 92.16%, while Alaska has the lowest at 78.09%.
- Asian/Pacific Islander students have the highest graduation rate at 93%, followed by white students at 90%.
- Hispanic students show a graduation rate of 83%, black students at 81%, and American Indian/Alaska Native students at 75%.
- The top three states with the highest graduation rates are Virginia (92.16%), South Carolina (92%), and Iowa (89.9%).
- The states with the lowest graduation rates are Alaska (78.09%), Arizona (76.6%), and New Mexico (76%).
- The high school dropout rate in the US is 5.2%.
- There are 20,469 high schools in the US.
High schools in the US: An overview
1. High school covers ninth through twelfth grades. There are different types of high schools in the US.
2. Traditional Public Schools: Traditional public schools comply with a standardized curriculum and accept students from their local area. They do not require tuition and are operated by local, state, and federal government funds.
3. Private School: Private schools receive funding from sources, such as tuition, other than the government. They may have different educational philosophies and can be religious or secular
4. Public Magnet Schools: These schools have specialized courses or curricula and typically have an excellent reputation. They are designed to attract students of different racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
5. Public Charter Schools: These are publicly funded high schools that are privately managed. They have more local authority, allowing them to choose their curriculum and set rules and regulations that work best for their student population.
Number of high schools in the US
6. 11,355 schools, less than 10% of private and public schools, cover all K-12 levels. (We Are Teachers).
7. There are 20,469 high schools in the US.
8. There are 1,262 career and technical schools in the US, which focus on providing hands-on learning experiences so students can jumpstart their careers after graduating from high school.
9. 416 of the schools in the US serve adult students.
10. Magnet schools, constituting 2.3% of public schools, total 2,073 in the US, with 691 of them primarily emphasizing STEM (MDR Education).
High school enrollment rates and trends
11. Since 1960, the rate of enrollment among high school graduates increased by 37% in total. (Education Data Initiative).
12. About 1.5 million students are enrolled in private high schools or similar institutions in the US. (Statista).
13. Public high school enrollment is 15.4 million.
14. 61.8% of high school (or equivalent) graduates go on to postsecondary study. (Education Data Initiative).
Demographic breakdown of high school students
15. US high schools are ethnically diverse.
Ethnicity of high school students
16. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), black students accounted for 14.9% of the public elementary and secondary student population.
17. Hispanic students constituted the largest group at 27%. American Indian/
Alaska Native students accounted for 1%.
18. Asians comprise 6% of the student body. The percentage of students who
were of Two or more races is 4%.
19. White students made up 45% of the public elementary and secondary student population. (NCES)
High school graduation rates
There are differences between the high school completion rates among ethnicities.
Ethnicity of high school graduates
20. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Asian/Pacific Islander students have the highest Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) at 93%.
21. White students followed have a graduation rate of 90%.
22. Hispanic students showed a graduation rate of 83%
23. Black students have a slightly lower graduation rate at 81%.
24. The graduation rate for American Indian/Alaska Native students is comparatively lower, standing at 75%.
Gender
25. According to the Brookings Institution, there is a 6 percentage-point gap between the graduation rates of boys and girls.
26. In the states with available data, about 89% of girls graduated on time compared to 83% of boys.
High school graduation rates per state
Top 10 states with the highest high school graduation rates
28. According to respective state departments of education and the US News and World Report, here are the 10 states with the highest high school graduation rates:
| State | High school graduation rate |
| Virginia | 92.16% |
| South Carolina | 92% |
| Iowa | 89.9% |
| Tennessee | 89.8% |
| Missouri | 89.97% |
| Nebraska | 87.1% |
| Ohio | 87.3% |
| Indiana | 86.61% |
| Delaware | 87.89% |
| Arkansas | 88.67% |
Top 10 states with the lowest high school graduation rates
29. Here are the 10 states with the lowest high school graduation rates:
| State | High school graduation rate |
| Alaska | 78.09% |
| Arizona | 76.6% |
| New Mexico | 76% |
| D.C. | 74.9% |
| Oregon | 81.3% |
| Idaho | 79.9% |
| Nevada | 81.7% |
| California | 87% |
| Washington | 82.3% |
| Colorado | 82.3% |
High school graduation rates per state
30. The following are the complete high school graduation rates for each state:
| State | High School Graduation Rate |
| Alabama | 88.2% |
| Alaska | 78.09% |
| Arizona | 76.6% |
| Arkansas | 88.67% |
| California | 87% |
| Colorado | 82.3% |
| Connecticut | 82.4% |
| D.C. | 74.9% |
| Delaware | 87.89% |
| Florida | 87.3% |
| Georgia | 84.4% |
| Hawaii | 85% |
| Idaho | 79.9% |
| Illinois | 87.3% |
| Indiana | 86.61% |
| Iowa | 89.9% |
| Kansas | 89.3% |
| Kentucky | 90.1% |
| Louisiana | 82.7% |
| Maine | 86.1% |
| Maryland | 86.3% |
| Massachusetts | 90.1% |
| Michigan | 81.01% |
| Minnesota | 83.6% |
| Mississippi | 88.9% |
| Missouri | 89.97% |
| Montana | 85.78% |
| Nebraska | 87.1% |
| Nevada | 81.7% |
| New Hampshire | 87.16% |
| New Jersey | 90.6% |
| New Mexico | 76% |
| New York | 86.1% |
| North Carolina | 86.4% |
| North Dakota | 84% |
| Ohio | 87.3% |
| Oklahoma | 86.4% |
| Oregon | 81.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 87.03% |
| Rhode Island | 83.7% |
| South Carolina | 92% |
| South Dakota | 82% |
| Tennessee | 89.8% |
| Texas | 89.7% |
| Utah | 88.2% |
| Vermont | 82.8% |
| Virginia | 92.16% |
| Washington | 82.3% |
| West Virginia | 91.2% |
| Wisconsin | 90.3% |
| Wyoming | 81.8% |
Alabama
31. Alabama has an 88.2% high school graduation rate. (Alabama Department of Education).
32. This is the first time since 2017 that Alabama had a high school completion rate below 90%.
33. The high school dropout rate in Alabama is 4.3%. (Annie E. Casey Foundation).
34. Female high school students in Alabama have a 91% completion rate.
35. Male high school students in Alabama have an 85.6% high school graduation rate.
Alaska
36. Alaska has among the lowest high school graduation rates in the US.
37. In Alaska, the high school completion rate is 78.09%.
38. The high school dropout rate in Alaska is 3.11%.
Arizona
39. Arizona has the lowest graduation rate among high school students in the country at 76.6% (US News and World Report).
40. A decade prior, Arizona’s high school graduation rate was 78% according to NCES.
41. Despite lower graduation rates, 12 out of 15 counties in Arizona have high school graduation rates higher than the state average, such as Greenlee County (95%), and Cochise, Graham, and Lapaz (80% and above). (ABC 15).
Arkansas
42. The high school completion rate in Arkansas in public schools is 88%. (Public School Review).
43. The overall high school completion rate in Arkansas is 88.67%. (Wise Voter).
44. In Arkansas, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 11.33% (Wise Voter).
California
45. The overall high school completion rate in California is 87%. (US News and World Report).
46. Public schools in California have an average graduation rate of 85%. (Public School Review).
47. In California, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 15.55% (Wise Voter).
Colorado
48. Colorado has an overall high school completion rate of 82.3%. (Colorado Department of Education)
49. The dropout rate in Colorado high schools is 2.2% (Colorado Sun).
50. Public schools in Colorado have an average high school graduation rate of 81%. (Public School Review).
51. In Colorado, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 7.57% (Wise Voter).
Connecticut
52. Connecticut has an 82.4% high school graduation rate. (Connecticut Insider).
53. Public schools in Connecticut have an average high school graduation rate of 92%. (Public School Review).
54. In Connecticut, 8.89% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
D.C.
55. The District of Columbia has an overall high school completion rate of 74.9%. (Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
56. The average high school completion rate among public schools in D.C. is 75%. (Public School Review).
57. In DC, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 7.21% (Wise Voter).
Delaware
58. The overall high school graduation rate in Delaware is 87.89%. (US News and World Report).
59. Public schools in Delaware have an average high school graduation rate of 82%. (Public School Review).
60. In Delaware, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 8.64% (Wise Voter).
61. The high school dropout rate in Delaware is 2.5%. (Delaware Department of Education)
62. 58.8% of high school dropouts were male and 41.2% were female.
63. Economic and employment reasons were cited as primary reasons for high school dropouts. (Delaware Department of Education).
Florida
64. Florida has an 87.3% high school graduation rate. (Florida Department of Education).
65. Public schools in Florida have an average high school graduation rate of 90%. (Public School Review).
66. In Florida, 10.21% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
67. Florida has a high school dropout rate of 3.2%. (Florida Department of Education).
Georgia
68. Georgia has an overall high school completion rate of 84.4% in 2022, an all-time high, and a 0.3 increase in percentage points from 2022. (AP News, Georgia Department of Education).
69. The average high school completion rate among public schools in Georgia is 85%. (Public School Review).
70. In Georgia, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 11.03% (Wise Voter).
Hawaii
71. The overall high school graduation rate in Hawaii is 85%.
72. Public schools in Hawaii achieve an average graduation rate of 86%. (Public School Review).
73. In Hawaii, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 7.07% (Wise Voter).
Idaho
74. Idaho has a 79.9% four-year graduation rate among high school students. (Idaho Department of Education).
75. Public schools in Idaho achieve an average graduation rate of 79%. (Public School Review).
76. The five-year graduation rate in Idaho is 82.3%.
77. In Idaho, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 8.74% (Wise Voter).
Illinois
78. Illinois has an 87.3% high school graduation rate. (Illinois Policy).
79. Public schools in Illinois have an average high school graduation rate of 88%. (Public School Review).
80. Illinois has a high school dropout rate of 2.6%. (News Channel 20).
Indiana
81. The overall high school graduation rate in Indiana is 86.61% (Indiana Department of Education).
82. Public schools in Indiana have an average high school graduation rate of 88%. (Public School Review).
83. In Indiana, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 9.36% (Wise Voter).
84. The high school dropout rate in Indiana is 13%, which is above the national average.
Iowa
85. Iowa has an 89.9% high school graduation rate. (Iowa Department of Education).
86. The latest five-year graduation rate in Iowa is 92.5%.
87. Public schools in Iowa have an average high school graduation rate of 89%. (Public School Review).
88. In Iowa, 6.68% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
89. Iowa has a high school dropout rate of 3%. (Iowa Department of Education).
Kansas
90. The overall high school graduation rate in Kansas is 89.3%
91. Public schools in Kansas have an average high school graduation rate of 86%. (Public School Review).
92. In Kansas, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 8.11% (Wise Voter).
Kentucky
93. Kentucky has an overall high school completion rate of 90.1%. (US News and World Report).
94. In Kentucky, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 12.01% (Wise Voter).
95. The average high school completion rate among public schools in Kentucky is 91%. (Public School Review).
Louisiana
96. The overall high school graduation rate in Louisiana is 82.7% (US News and World Report).
97. Public schools in Louisiana have an average high school graduation rate of 83%. (Public School Review).
98. In Louisiana, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 13.32% (Wise Voter).
Maine
99. Maine has an 86.1% high school graduation rate. (Annie E. Casey Foundation).
100. Public schools in Maine have an average high school graduation rate of 85%. (Public School Review).
101. In Maine, 5.47% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
102. Maine has a high school dropout rate of 4% for male students while female students have a 3% dropout rate. (News Center Maine).
Maryland
103. Maryland has an 86.3% high school graduation rate. (Maryland Department of Education).
104. Maryland’s five-year graduation rate is 88.3%.
Public schools in Maryland have an average high school graduation rate of 87%. (Public School Review).
105. In Maryland, 8.91% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
106. Maryland has a high school dropout rate of 7.4%.
Massachusetts
107. Massachusetts has a 90.1% high school graduation rate. (US News and World Report).
108. Public schools in Massachusetts have an average high school graduation rate of 91%. (Public School Review).
109. In Massachusetts, only 3.9% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
Michigan
110. The overall high school graduation rate in Michigan is 81.01%. (Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget).
111. Public schools in Michigan have an average high school graduation rate of 84%. (Public School Review).
112. In Michigan, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 15.55% (Wise Voter).
113. The high school dropout rate in Michigan is 8.19%. (Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget).
Minnesota
114. Minnesota has an overall high school completion rate of 83.6%. (Minnesota Department of Education).
115. In Minnesota, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 5.87% (Wise Voter).
116. The average high school completion rate among public schools in Minnesota is 83%. (Public School Review).
117. In Minnesota, White students (92%) and Asian students (93%) have the highest high school graduation rates of any other racial/ethnic group. (Minnesota Office of Higher Education).
Mississippi
118. Mississippi has an 88.9% high school graduation rate. (Mississippi Department of Education).
119. Public schools in Mississippi have an average high school graduation rate of 88%. (Public School Review).
120. In Mississippi, 13.51% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
121. Mississippi has a high school dropout rate of 9%. (Mississippi Department of Education).
Missouri
122. The overall high school graduation rate in Missouri is 89.97%. (US News and World Report).
123. Public schools in Missouri have an average high school graduation rate of 89%. (Public School Review).
124. In Missouri, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 8.41% (Wise Voter).
Montana
125. Montana has an overall high school completion rate of 85.78%.
126. In Montana, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 5.65% (Wise Voter).
127. The average high school completion rate among public schools in Montana is 83%. (Public School Review).
128. The dropout rate in Montana high schools is 3.75%. (State of Montana Newsroom).
Nebraska
129. The overall high school graduation rate in Nebraska is 87.1%
130. Public schools in Nebraska have an average high school graduation rate of 84%. (Public School Review).
131. In Nebraska, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 7.84% (Wise Voter).
Nevada
132. Nevada has an 81.7% high school graduation rate. (US News and World Report).
133. Public schools in Nevada have an average high school graduation rate of 81%. (Public School Review).
134. In Nevada, 12.84% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
New Hampshire
135. The overall high school graduation rate in New Hampshire is 87.16% (US News and World Report).
136. Public schools in New Hampshire have an average high school graduation rate of 87%. (Public School Review).
137. In New Hampshire, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 5.56% (Wise Voter).
New Jersey
138. New Jersey has an overall high school completion rate of 90.6%.
139. In New Jersey, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 9.02% (Wise Voter).
140. The average high school completion rate among public schools in New Jersey is 89%. (Public School Review).
New Mexico
141. The overall high school graduation rate in New Mexico is 76%. (US News and World Report).
142. Public schools in New Mexico have an average high school graduation rate of 66%. (Public School Review).
143. In New Mexico, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 12.52% (Wise Voter).
144. The high school dropout rate in New Mexico is 6.8%. (Annie E. Casey Foundation).
New York
145. New York has a 86.1% high school graduation rate. (K-12 Dive).
146. Public schools in New York have an average high school graduation rate of 87%. (Public School Review).
147. In New York, 11.97% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
148. New York has a high school dropout rate of 4.2% (The City).
North Carolina
149. The overall high school graduation rate in North Carolina is 86.4%. (Annie E. Casey Foundation).
150. Public schools in North Carolina have an average high school graduation rate of 86%. (Public School Review).
151. In North Carolina, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 10.3% (Wise Voter).
North Dakota
152. North Dakota has an overall high school completion rate of 84%. (US News and World Report).
153. In North Dakota, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 6.38% (Wise Voter).
154. The average high school completion rate among public schools in North Dakota is 82%. (Public School Review).
Ohio
155. The overall high school graduation rate in Ohio is 87.3%. (US News and World Report).
156. Public schools in Ohio have an average high school graduation rate of 86%. (Public School Review).
157. In Ohio, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 8.26% (Wise Voter).
Oklahoma
158. Oklahoma has an 86.4% high school graduation rate. (Open Data Network).
159. Public schools in Oklahoma have an average high school graduation rate of 79%. (Public School Review).
160. In Oklahoma, 11.29% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
Oregon
161. Oregon has an overall high school completion rate of 81.3%. (Oregon Capital Chronicle).
162. In Oregon, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 8.13% (Wise Voter).
163. The average high school completion rate among public schools in Oklahoma is 82%. (Public School Review).
Pennsylvania
164. The overall high school graduation rate in Pennsylvania is 87.03% (US News and World Report).
165. Public schools in Pennsylvania have an average high school graduation rate of 88%. (Public School Review).
166. In Pennsylvania, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 4.11% (Wise Voter).
Rhode Island
167. The overall high school graduation rate in Rhode Island is 83.7%. (US News and World Report).
168. Public schools in Rhode Island have an average high school graduation rate of 86%. (Public School Review).
169. In Rhode Island, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 10.86% (Wise Voter).
South Carolina
170. South Carolina has an overall high school completion rate of 92%. (US News and World Report).
171. In South Carolina, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 10.39% (Wise Voter).
172. The average high school completion rate among public schools in South Carolina is 84%. (Public School Review).
173. The dropout rate in state high schools is 2.2%.
South Dakota
174. The overall high school graduation rate in South Dakota is 82%. (US News and World Report).
175. Public schools in South Dakota have an average high school graduation rate of 80%. (Public School Review).
176. In South Dakota, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 6.95% (Wise Voter).
177. The high school dropout rate in South Dakota is 2.2%.
Tennessee
178. The overall high school graduation rate in Tennessee is 89.8%. (US News and World Report).
179. Public schools in Tennessee have an average high school graduation rate of 89%. (Public School Review).
180. In Tennessee, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 10.26% (Wise Voter).
Texas
181. The overall high school graduation rate in Texas is 89.7%. (US News and World Report).
182. Public schools in Texas have an average high school graduation rate of 90%. (Public School Review).
183. In Texas, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 14.61% (Wise Voter).
184. The high school dropout rate in Texas is 2.4%. (The Texas Tribune).
Utah
185. Utah has an overall high school completion rate of 88.2%. (US News and World Report).
186. In Utah, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 6.83% (Wise Voter).
187. The average high school completion rate among public schools in Utah is 88%. (Public School Review).
Vermont
188. Vermont has an 82.8% high school graduation rate. (US News and World Report).
189. Public schools in Vermont have an average high school graduation rate of 83%. (Public School Review).
190. In Vermont, 5.45% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
Virginia
191. Virginia has a 92.16% high school graduation rate. (US News and World Report).
192. Public schools in Virginia have an average high school graduation rate of 90%. (Public School Review).
193. In Virginia, 8.62% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
Washington
194. Washington has an overall high school completion rate of 82.3%. (US News and World Report).
195. In Washington, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 7.65% (Wise Voter).
196. The average high school completion rate among public schools in Washington is 81%. (Public School Review).
West Virginia
197. West Virginia has a 91.2% high school graduation rate. (US News and World Report).
198. Public schools in West Virginia have an average high school graduation rate of 91%. (Public School Review).
199. In West Virginia, 11.18% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
Wisconsin
200. Wisconsin has an overall high school completion rate of 90.3%. (US News and World Report).
201. In Wisconsin, the percentage of people aged 25 and above with no high school diploma is 6.67% (Wise Voter).
202. The average high school completion rate among public schools in Wisconsin is 88%. (Public School Review).
Wyoming
203. Wyoming has an 81.8% high school graduation rate.(US News and World Report).
204. Public schools in Wyoming have an average high school graduation rate of 80%. (Public School Review).
205. In Wyoming, 6.41% of people who are 25 years old and above have no high school diploma. (Wise Voter)
206. Wyoming has a high school dropout rate of 6.41%.
Statistics on teachers in high school
207. 1.9 million teachers teach at the secondary level (middle school, junior high, and high school).
208. Schools that cover all grades K-12 employ 291,724 teachers.
209. About a quarter of all teachers in the US work in high schools (24.7%).
210. There are 992, 386 senior high school teachers.
211. 60% of teachers in secondary/high school are female.
212. According to NCES, among junior or high school teachers in private schools:
- 1.9% have less than a bachelor’s degree
- 32.2% have a bachelor’s degree
- 53.5% have a master’s degree
- 12.5% have higher than a master’s degree
213. Employment of high school teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032. (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics).
Academic performance of high school students
214. The average high school GPA is 3.11, or a B+.
215. Average GPAs have been increasing steadily for the past 30 years, and the overall average GPA increased by 0.43 points from 1990 to 2019. (NCES).
216. The average GPA of female high school graduates is 3.23 and 3.0 for males.
217. The median GPA in more affluent schools is 3.0, while it can be as low as 2.59 in less affluent schools.
218. Academic courses (English, Literature, Math, and Sciences) have an average GPA of 2.98. (NCRS)
219. Non-academic and non-technical subjects like physical education have the highest average GPA of 3.56. (NCRS)
220. South Carolina had the highest average GPA among high school students.
221. The minimum requirement GPA for many college scholarships is 3.0, though a GPA of 3.5 or higher gives a stronger advantage. (Best colleges)
222. Asians and Pacific Islanders have the highest GPAs among ethnic groups at 3.39.
223. Average High School GPAs by Race
| Race | Average High School GPA |
| White | 3.23 |
| Black | 2.83 |
| Hispanic | 2.95 |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 3.39 |
College and career readiness among high school students
224. Only 1.3% of high school student-athletes are offered athletic scholarships according to The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
225. Only 54.9% of male high school graduates in 2021 immediately enrolled in college. (Education Data Initiative).
226. 69.5% of female high school graduates in the same year immediately enrolled in college. (Education Data Initiative).
227. Female students were 26.5% more likely to immediately enroll in college than male students. (Education Data Initiative).
228. 2021 female high school graduates were 42.1% more likely to immediately enroll in 4-year institutions than graduating males. (Education Data Initiative).
Impact of high school completion
229. Obtaining a high school diploma dramatically increases a student’s future educational and workplace opportunities. (Idaho State Department of Education).
230. Based on a study published in the Eastern Economic Journal, there may be a link between high school GPA and long-term income.
231. According to data from 10,000 males and females collected from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, high school performance affects the average income for both men and women ten years after high school graduation.
232. A one-point increase in GPA leads to a 12% increase in earnings for men. (University of Miami).
233. For women, a one-point increase in average GPA can increase incomes by 14%.
High school dropout rates
234. The high school dropout rate has shown a decrease over the years.
235. In 2021, there were 2.0 million status dropouts between the ages of 16 and 24.
236. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the status dropout rate in 2021 was 5.2%, down from 8.3% in 2010.
High school dropout rate by ethnicity
237. Among Asians, the dropout rate is at 2.1%.
238. White students have a dropout rate of 4.1%.
239. Those of two or more races category experience a dropout rate of 4.9%.
240. Black students face a slightly higher dropout rate at 5.9%.
241. Hispanic students have a dropout rate of 7.8%.
242. American Indian/Alaska Native students encounter the highest dropout rate among the groups mentioned, standing at 10.2%.
Frequently asked questions
The high school graduation rate in the United States is 87.3%.
The high school dropout rate is 5.2%.
Virginia has the highest high school graduation rate at 92.16%, while Alaska has the lowest at 78.09%.
See our other statistics posts
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “High School Teachers: Occupational Outlook Handbook.”
- Institute of Education Sciences. “Characteristics of 2020–21 Public and Private K–12 School Teachers in the United States.” [PDF]
- National Center for Education Statistics. COE – Public High School Graduation Rates.
- National Clearinghouse Student Research Center. 2019 National Assessment for Educational Progress High School Transcript Study (HSTS) Results
- K-12 Dive. 10-year study: GPAs, course rigor rising for high school grads | K-12 Dive
- National Bureau of Economic Research. Long-Term Effects of a Student's High School Experience | NBER
- Brookings Institution. Racial disparities in the high school graduation gender gap | Brookings
- Best Colleges. What Is a Good GPA in College? In High School? | BestColleges
- We Are Teachers. “How Many Teachers Are in the U.S.?”
- Jackie Cohen – Who’s Smartest? States with the Highest GPAs
- Your high school GPA could affect your income | ScienceDaily
- DATA: Arizona's 75% graduation rate by school district
- Annie E. Casey Foundation. High school dropout rate | KIDS COUNT Data Center
- Advance Local. Alabama graduation rates slide below 90%, number of student dropouts increases – al.com.
- Colorado Sun. Colorado's graduation rate increased in 2022. So did dropouts.
- Connecticut Insider. Connecticut's high school graduation rate has dropped for the first time in recent memory
- OSSE Announces 2022 Graduation Rates
- Delaware Department of Education. Delaware Dropout Summary
- Florida Department of Education. Florida’s High School Cohort 2021-22 Graduation Rate
- Georgia Department of Education. Press Release – Georgia students record another all-time-high graduation rate
- AP News. Georgia's rising public high school graduation rate hits record in 2023 | AP News
- Honolulu Civil Beat. First Semester DOE Data Shows Graduation Rate On Downward Slope – Honolulu Civil Beat
- News Channel 20. Statewide dropout rates leveling out after pandemic increases | WICS
- Illinois Policy. Illinois high school students struggle, yet graduation rate hits 10-year high
- Indiana Department of Education. DOE: Indiana Department of Education Announces 2022 Graduation Rate
- Iowa Department of Education. Iowa’s high school graduation rate holds steady | Iowa Department of Education.
- Maine News Center. Maine girls have lower dropout rate than boys
- Maryland State Board of Education. Cohort Graduation and Dropout Rates
- Maryland Department of Education. State High School Graduation Rate Demonstrates Slight Increase in 2020-21 School Year; High School Dropout Rate Decreases in the Aggregate
- Michigan Graduation Rate Up From 2020-21. (Michigan Department of Technology, Management, and Budget).
- Mississippi Department of Education. Mississippi’s graduation rate reaches all-time high of 88.9%.
- State of Montana Newsroom. Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Announces Graduation Rates and Dropout Rates with Proposed Solutions.
- K-12 Dive. Higher NY high school graduation rate attributed to relaxed standards during pandemic | K-12 Dive
- 2023 Nebraska Higher Education Progress Report
- NJ.com State releases performance data on N.J. schools. See how your district fared.
- The Texas Tribune. State of Texas.
- Statista. High school enrollment in the U.S. 2031 | Statista.
Gail holds a degree in International Development and has a strong background in research and writing. Her work focuses on exploring topics related to development, including education.