Maine
Ranked in U.S.
#6
Last updated November 24, 2024
Navigating the critical pathway from adolescence to adulthood is marked by many milestones, among which high school graduation is undoubtedly a pivotal event. It signifies a launchpad for future opportunities, opening gateways to higher education and empowering personal and professional development. However, not all young adults in the United States reach this landmark due to a potpourri of reasons ranging from familial responsibilities to economic hardship, trailing a wake of lost potential.
Leading the pack, Montana displays a high school completion rate of 94.0%, edging out other states to secure the number one position.
Closely following Montana in this respect, Wyoming, with a completion rate of 93.6%, Vermont, with 93.5%, Minnesota, with 93.4%, and New Hampshire, with 93.3%, complete the top five states in the list.
Further down the list but still amongst the high performers in high school completion are Maine (93.2%), Alaska (93.1%), North Dakota (93.1%), Utah (93.0%), and wrapping up the top ten is Wisconsin at 92.6%.
States with the Highest High School Graduation Rates:
Topping the list, with the lowest graduation rate in the country, is California - the state reports a high school completion rate of only 83.9%. Following closely is Texas, the state known for its extensive public school system provides diplomas to 84.4% of its students. Mississippi, with an 85.3% graduation rate, occupies the third position in this list - its education challenges underscoring the broader struggles faced by southern states in this regard.
Louisiana, another southern state, has the fourth-lowest high school graduation rate at 85.9%. Faring marginally better is New Mexico at 86.5%, just shy of Nevada's completion rate of 86.9%. Alabama too has a graduation rate of 86.9%, reflecting the similar education-related challenges these states grapple with.
Even some states with prominent universities and colleges struggle with ensuring high school graduation. A case in point being New York, with a graduation rate of 87.2%. Matching this figure are Kentucky and Arkansas, again accentuating the challenges faced by some parts of the south in ensuring high school completion.
States with Lowest High School Graduation Rates:
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#44
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#7
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#38
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#41
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#50
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#14
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#23
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#25
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#34
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#39
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#11
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#18
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#30
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#31
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#12
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#17
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#42
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#47
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#6
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#26
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#20
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#19
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#4
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#48
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#27
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#1
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#16
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#45
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#5
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#28
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#46
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#43
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#35
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#8
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#24
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#33
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#21
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#22
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#32
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#36
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#13
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#37
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#49
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#9
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#3
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#29
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#15
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#40
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#10
Ranked in U.S.
#2
Region ↕ | High School Completion Rate↕ |
---|---|
86.9% | |
93.1% | |
87.9% | |
87.2% | |
83.9% | |
92.1% | |
90.9% | |
90.6% | |
88.5% | |
87.9% | |
92.5% | |
91.3% | |
89.7% | |
89.3% | |
92.5% | |
91.4% | |
87.2% | |
85.9% | |
93.2% | |
90.6% | |
91.1% | |
91.3% | |
93.4% | |
85.3% | |
90.6% | |
94.0% | |
91.6% | |
86.9% | |
93.3% | |
90.3% | |
86.5% | |
87.2% | |
88.5% | |
93.1% | |
90.8% | |
88.6% | |
91.1% | |
91.0% | |
89.2% | |
88.3% | |
92.2% | |
88.2% | |
84.4% | |
93.0% | |
93.5% | |
90.3% | |
91.7% | |
87.6% | |
92.6% | |
93.6% |