Michigan 2023 Graduation Rates Higher than Pre-Pandemic Rates in Most Categories

Note: Michigan’s 2023 graduation rates were reported by the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) earlier today. The Michigan Department of Education is resharing this significant news and highlighting some additional noteworthy points.

Michigan 2023 Graduation Rate is Second Highest Ever

LANSING- Michigan’s 2023 four-year graduation rates increased in all 17 categories, according to data released today by the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI). In 13 of the 17 categories, the 2023 rates are higher than pre-pandemic 2019 graduation rates.

Yearly graduation and dropout rates are tracked using seventeen different categories:

1) Gender - Female; 2) Gender - Male; 3) Race/Ethnicity - Asian; 4) Race/Ethnicity - Black/African American; 5) Race/Ethnicity - Hispanic or Latino; 6) Race/Ethnicity -  Native American or Alaska Native; 7) Race/Ethnicity - Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; 8) Race/Ethnicity - Two or More Races; 9) Race/Ethnicity - White; 10) Economically Disadvantaged Students; 11) English Learners; 12) Youth Experiencing Homelessness; 13) Migrant Students; 14) Students with Disabilities; 15) Early Middle College; 16) Youth in Foster Care; and 17) Military-Connected Youth.

“Rising four-year graduation rates in all categories, above pre-pandemic levels in almost all cases, are a welcome sign that student achievement is rebounding and a tribute to the hard work of Michigan students, educators, support staff, and communities,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice.

Migrant and militarily connected students had the largest one-year increases of 10.41 and 4.89 percentage points, respectively.  Of the ethnic groups, Hispanic, Asian, and African American increased over the last year by 2.49, 1.18, and 1.14 percentage points, respectively. 

Dr. Rice added, “While our progress has been significant over the last two years, we have more work to do to address graduation rate gaps. Local school districts and the department will continue focusing efforts to support students and staff in this regard.”

Below is the statewide five-year trend for four-year graduation and dropout rates:

The statewide four-year graduation rate is up 0.76 of a percentage point, from 81.01% in 2022 to 81.77% in 2023. This is the second-highest graduation rate in the state’s history, behind only 2020, when graduation requirements were temporarily relaxed due to the advent of the pandemic.

The five-year rate also increased from 83.85% to 84.14%, while the six-year rate fell slightly from 85.21% to 84.64%.

“Increasing graduation rates is goal 5 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, which the State Board of Education approved in August 2020,” stated State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh. “It is exciting to see the growth in this area. The news is encouraging, especially as we seek to reduce gaps in graduation rates among different groups.”

Graduation and dropout rates can be found on CEPI’s MI School Data website (www.mischooldata.org). Under the site’s K-12 Grade Students section, visitors can select a school or district or compare one district to another. A bureau within the State Budget Office, CEPI facilitates collecting, managing, and reporting public education data required by state and federal law. CEPI’s MI School Data website is Michigan's official education data portal to help residents, educators, and policymakers make informed decisions that can lead to improved success for our students.

See the table below for statewide 4-year graduation rates by categories.

Michigan 2023 Graduation Rates
Higher than Pre-Pandemic Rates in Most Categories
Data Source:  MI School Data

Statewide 4-Year Graduation Rates by Categories

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