Kentucky Leads Nation in High School Graduation Rates While Alaska Ranks Last
High school graduation rates across the United States vary sharply by state, revealing a wide educational gap between the highest and lowest performers, Business Insider reported. Kentucky claimed the highest four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate in the country at 93.60%. At the other end of the spectrum, Alaska recorded the lowest rate at 79.87%.
State education agencies and public data portals across all 50 states provided the metrics for the nationwide ranking, which primarily reflects the 2024-2025 school year. Oklahoma serves as an exception, with its most recent figures drawing from the 2023-2024 school year. Most states utilize the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate formula. This metric tracks the share of first-time ninth graders who earn a regular diploma within four years, adjusting the cohort for student transfers in and out, emigration, and death.
State Graduation Rates and Financial Context
New York allocates $31,918 per pupil for public school education and maintains an 85.50% graduation rate alongside a median household income of $85,820. Conversely, Kentucky achieves the nation’s top graduation rate of 93.60% with per-pupil spending of $14,596 and a median household income of $64,526. States cluster closely across the middle tiers of the ranking. Texas and Connecticut share a 91.20% graduation rate, while California and North Carolina tie at 87.50%. Per-pupil spending varies significantly among these peers, with Texas spending $12,895 per student compared to Connecticut’s $26,316.
| State | Four-Year Graduation Rate | Per-Pupil Spending | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 93.60% | $14,596 | $64,526 |
| West Virginia | 92.80% | $15,640 | $60,798 |
| Alabama | 92.77% | $13,627 | $66,659 |
| New York | 85.50% | $31,918 | $85,820 |
| Alaska | 79.87% | $21,004 | $95,665 |
Economic Impact of High School Diplomas
Earning a high school diploma carries concrete financial consequences for US adults. Census data shows that US adults aged 25 or older with a high school degree earn $8,216 more per year on average than individuals without one. Local and state governments track these graduation rates to monitor academic achievement, even as diploma definitions and course requirements vary by state.
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