Mississippi Sees Graduation Rate Rise to 90.8% in 2024-25

Dropout rate declines to 7% as state continues education improvement efforts

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced that the state's 2024-25 school year graduation rate reached 90.8%, up 1.6 percentage points from the previous year. The dropout rate also declined to 7%, a 1.5 percentage point decrease. Among students with disabilities, the graduation rate increased by 5.6 percentage points to 71.1%, while the dropout rate decreased by 5.4 percentage points to 14.6%.

Why it matters

Mississippi's improved graduation and dropout rates reflect the state's ongoing efforts to strengthen its education system and better prepare students for college and careers. These results demonstrate the positive impact of quality instructional support, increased graduation requirement options, and growth in Career and Technical Education (CTE) program completion.

The details

The latest graduation and dropout rates are based on students who entered ninth grade for the first time during the 2021-22 school year. Factors contributing to the improved rates include dedicated teachers, expanded graduation requirement options, and an increase in students completing CTE programs. In 2023-24, school districts reported that 6,720 students earned industry certifications through CTE programs, and CTE completers had the state's highest average graduation rate of 99.5% for the 2022-23 accountability year.

  • The 2024-25 graduation rate and dropout rate data was announced on February 19, 2026.

The players

Mississippi Department of Education (MDE)

The state agency responsible for overseeing and supporting public education in Mississippi.

Dr. Lance Evans

The state superintendent of education in Mississippi.

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What they’re saying

“These results reflect the hard work of teachers, administrators, parents, and, of course, students.”

— Dr. Lance Evans, State Superintendent of Education (WLOX)

What’s next

The Mississippi Department of Education will continue to support students and educators with innovative programs and professional learning opportunities to drive further progress in the state's education system.

The takeaway

Mississippi's improving graduation and dropout rates demonstrate the state's commitment to strengthening its public education system and better preparing students for success in college and careers. These results highlight the positive impact of targeted investments in instructional support, graduation pathways, and career-focused education programs.