APPLE VALLEY, Minn. (FOX 9) - Minnesota's class of 2025 saw the state's highest-ever high school graduation rate, with a record of 84.9% of students finishing in four years.
The state's high school graduation rates for 2024 also hit record highs, with 84.2% of high school seniors earning their diplomas within four years.
Minnesota 2025 high school graduation rates
By the numbers:
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) shared data points breaking down student demographics and the shift in graduation rates.
The class of 2025’s overall graduation rate was 84.9%, a 0.7 percentage point increase from 2024’s graduation rate of 84.2%.
According to state data, the graduation rates in 2025 increased for almost every race and student group. The groups that saw slight decreases in graduation rates were migrant students, English learners and students in foster care.
MDE shared the following data on student graduation rates:
- American Indian: Graduated at a rate of 67.6% in 2025, up from 62.9% in 2024 (4.8 percentage point increase)
- Asian: Graduated at a rate of 90.1% in 2025, up from 88% in 2024 (2 percentage point increase)
- Black: Graduated at a rate of 76.4% in 2025, up from 73.9% in 2024 (2.4 percentage point increase)
- Hispanic or Latino: Graduated at a rate of 72.4% in 2025, up from 71.7% in 2024 (0.7 percentage point increase)
- Two or more races: Graduated at a rate of 80.6% in 2025, up from 80.1% in 2024 (0.5 percentage point increase)
- White: Graduated at a rate of 89.9% in 2025, up from 89.3% in 2024 (0.6 percentage point increase)
- Students receiving special education services: Graduated at a rate of 68.8%, up from 67.4% in 2024 (1.2 percentage point increase)
- English learners: Graduated at a rate of 67.1% in 2025, a slight decrease from 67.1% in 2024 (Less than 0.1 percentage point decrease, but state data rounds to the nearest tenth of a percentage)
- Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals: Graduated at a rate of 76%, up from 74.4% in 2024 (1.6 percentage point increase)
- Homeless: Graduated at a rate of 54%, up from 53% in 2024 (1 percentage point increase)
- Migrant: Graduated at a rate of 52.1%, down from 53.2% in 2025 (1.1 percentage point decrease)
- Ever in foster care: Graduated at a rate of 55.6% in 2025, up from 53.3% in 2024 (2.3 percentage point increase)
- Foster care in high school: Graduated at a rate of 48.7% in 2025, down from 50.1% in 2024 (1.4 percentage point decrease)
More information on schools and graduation rates can be found on the Minnesota Report Card website here.
What they're saying:
"Not only did we see this record percentage of students graduate, but we also saw gaps shrink," Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett said. "Graduation rates for Asian, Black, and American Indian students, students receiving special education services and students eligible for free and reduced-price meals increased more than they increased for all students.
The commissioner continued by addressing ways that the state can better serve disadvantaged students.
"But this year's graduation rates also show a worrying reversal for students who were in foster care in high school and English language learners. Graduation rates for both of these student groups fell in 2025, with gaps widening, although the five-year trend remains positive. We are also closely tracking graduation rates for all groups to ensure that all students are leaving high school prepared for career or college success. This year we're also piloting the release of course-taking data that looks at the entirety of a student's K-12 school career."
Walz responds to graduation rates
Dig deeper:
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was a teacher, released the following statement on Minnesota's 2025 graduation rates:
"This is a moment worth celebrating," said Walz. "Decades in the classroom have helped inform many of the goals I’ve set and the policies we’ve passed over the last seven years to support our students, teachers, and parents. Every student who receives that diploma is better equipped to navigate the challenges of landing a job, pursuing higher education, and building a future they feel excited about. Congratulations to an incredible class of students."
The Source: This story uses information shared by the Minnesota Department of Education.