High schoolers nationwide graduated at nearly the same rate in the 2022-23 school year as prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data released Thursday by the National Center for Education Statistics.
The average four-year high school graduation rate reached 87.4% in 2022-23 — a tiny uptick from 87.3% in 2018-19, NCES found. Still, the rates eclipse the 73.7% graduation rate of three decades ago in 1990-91.
The split was roughly equal for states that increased or didn't increase graduation rates. Twenty-three states and the District of Columbia saw higher graduation rates between 2018-19 and 2022-23, NCES found.
High school graduation rates remain steady post-COVID
While graduation rates have improved over time, gaps were found by race and ethnicity.
In 2022-23, students who were Asian, White, or two or more races graduated at rates above the national average. But rates fell below the national average for Hispanic, Pacific Islander, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native students, the NCES data showed.
The NCES data also revealed a gender gap: Women graduated at higher rates than men, 89.9% versus 84.9%.
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