Four-year high school graduation rates vary widely across the United States, ranging from 93.60% in Kentucky to 79.87% in Alaska—a gap of 13.73 percentage points. The rate is one measure of educational progress, but differences in state graduation requirements, coursework and testing mean the figures are not directly comparable without context.
Kentucky tops the ranking; Alaska has the lowest rate
The ranking compiles the latest available data from state education agencies and public-data platforms. Most figures cover the 2024–2025 school year; Oklahoma’s data are for 2023–2024. It also lists public-school spending per pupil and median household income in each state, providing economic context alongside the education figures.
Among the states near the bottom, Alaska recorded a four-year graduation rate of 79.87%, per-pupil spending of $21,004 and median household income of $95,665. Arizona posted an 80.00% rate, with spending of $12,003 per pupil and median household income of $81,486. New Mexico’s rate was 80.63%, alongside spending of $17,664 and median household income of $67,816. Vermont and Oklahoma recorded rates of 82.00% and 82.20%, respectively.
Among the states shown in the middle of the ranking, New York and Rhode Island tied for 34th at 85.50%. Hawaii and South Dakota tied for 31st at 86.00%. California and North Carolina each recorded 87.50%, tying for 26th, while Ohio and Iowa tied for 22nd at 88.80%.
Most states use an adjusted four-year cohort measure
The commonly used four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate tracks the share of students who first entered ninth grade and earned a regular high school diploma within four years. The cohort is adjusted for student movement: students who transfer in are added, while those who transfer out, move abroad or die are removed.
The measure is not a complete assessment of school quality across states. Graduation requirements differ, including the courses students must complete and the exams they must pass. Rates therefore need to be read in light of each state’s rules.
High school completion is linked to earnings
A high school diploma is also associated with labor-market income. National averages reported in US Census Bureau data show that people aged 25 and older with a high school diploma earn $8,216 more per year, on average, than those without a high school education. That national difference should not be taken as an estimate for any individual state or person.
Among the higher-ranked states listed, Texas and Connecticut tied for 12th at 91.20%. Delaware recorded 91.39%, Kansas 90.50% and Arkansas 90.16%. The available ranking ends at the Missouri entry and does not provide its graduation rate, per-pupil spending or median household income, so no further ranking details are available.