83.3 Percent of Minnesota's Class of 2023 Graduated in Four Years (3/28/24)

MINNEAPOLIS – Today the Minnesota Department of Education released the class of 2023’s graduation rate data. The 2023 graduation rate was 83.3% or 58,293 graduates, which represents a 0.3 percentage point decrease in the four-year graduation rate compared to the class of 2022.

In 2023, 3,874 students from earlier classes also earned their diplomas, graduating five, six or seven years after beginning high school.

“I am proud of the students in the Class of 2023,” said MDE Commissioner Willie Jett. “Every student has a unique story, and their effort and commitment deserve celebration. I am also grateful for the hard work our educators, families, and communities invest into supporting our students.”

The small decrease in the total graduation rate is driven, in part, by a 0.4 percentage point increase in the unknown rate, which tracks students who were either incorrectly reported or were not reported as enrolled elsewhere. This re-emphasizes the need for schools to keep track of – and report – every single student during their high school career.

The graduation data shows decreases in graduation rates for Black, Asian, Latino and English learner student groups. The data also show some bright spots. While graduation rates for Black students declined from a large increase in 2022, the five-year trend for the student group is still trending upward from 69.9% in 2019 to 72.1% today. Graduation rates increased for students in the two or more races and white student groups. Graduation rates for students who are American Indian and students who receive special education services remained flat with both student groups retaining increases seen in 2022.

“High school graduation is a crucial milestone for every student in our schools; it's essential for individual success and the well-being of our communities,” Jett said. “Over the past year, we've begun implementing key initiatives such as structured literacy, Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS), and increased mental health supports. I am confident these tools will change outcomes for students, including increased graduation rates, and we are committed to continuous improvement in our schools and at MDE.”

The Minnesota Department of Education is focused on supporting schools to implement a host of transformational investments passed as part of the One Minnesota Budget during the 2023 legislative session. Among a variety of key efforts, this includes nation-leading literacy legislation, policies and funding to ensure safe and nurturing learning environments, investments in the educator workforce, and greater access to opportunities in high school.

 

Student Group Data: Four-year Graduation Rate Trends

Student Demographic Group	2022 Graduation Rate (percent)	2023 Graduation Rate (percent)	Change from 2022 to 2023 (percentage points)
All students	83.6	83.3	-0.3
American Indian (state definition)	61.3	61.3	No change
Asian	87.2	85.4	-1.9
Black	73.5	72.1	-1.4
Hispanic or Latino	69.3	69.2	-0.1
Two or more races	79.2	80.3	+1.1
White	88.4	88.7	+0.3
Students receiving special education services	65.5	65.6	+0.1
English learners	65.0	63.4	-1.6
Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals	71.1	71.9	+0.8

 

More About the Data

Find graduation data on the Minnesota Report Card, presented in an easy-to-read, mobile-friendly layout that includes charts and graphs illustrating trends and results for all student groups.

View the complete statewide, district, school and county graduation rates in an Excel spreadsheet by visiting our Data Reports and Analytics' Student webpage. In the Category field, select Graduation Rate to access graduation indicator files for each year. In the Year, Subcategory and Level fields, select the desired data, if needed. Click List files to view the spreadsheet.

View data on enrollment in developmental education in Minnesota colleges and universities on the Minnesota Statewide Longitudinal Education Data System (SLEDS).

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