Iowa Tops The State By State Graduation List

Back in November, the United States Department of Education released its first ever list detailing state by state four year high school graduation rates for the 2010-2011 academic year. The state of Iowa took the top spot with 88% of its students graduating. Wisconsin and Vermont tied for second with 87%. Washington, D.C. had the lowest rate with only 59% of the students there receiving a diploma. The state of Illinois came in 10th with 84% of its students graduating and Missouri finished 22nd on the list with a graduation rate of 81%.

Overall, 26 states showed a lower rate than in previous years and 24 states remained either unchanged or increased their rate from previous years.

The ethnic statistics showed 79% of Asian students graduated, 76% of White students did so as well. The Black graduation rate nationally was 60% with Latinos at 58%.