# Kentucky tops US high school graduation rates at 93.60%

> Kentucky leads all states with a 93.60% four-year high school graduation rate, while Alaska lags at 79.87%. Graduation rates vary widely and matter: high school graduates earn $8,216 more annually than those without diplomas.
- Title: Kentucky tops US high school graduation rates at 93.60%
- Summary: Kentucky leads all states with a 93.60% four-year high school graduation rate, while Alaska lags at 79.87%.
- Keywords: high school graduation rates, kentucky, alaska, us states, four-year graduation rate, educational achievement, earnings, diploma, Business Insider
- Source: Business Insider — https://businessinsider.com/most-educated-us-states-ranked-by-high-school-graduation-rates
- Author: Kristine Villarroel
- Published: 2026-11-05T19:49:10.47+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: high school graduation rates, kentucky, alaska, education, us states, four-year graduation rate, educational achievement, earnings, diploma, business, technology
## Kentucky leads the nation
Kentucky has the highest four-year high school graduation rate in the US at 93.60%. Alaska has the lowest at 79.87%, a gap of nearly fourteen percentage points.
## Graduation rates vary by state
Students' chances of graduating on time vary widely depending on which US state they attend high school in. Diploma requirements and course and testing requirements differ from state to state.
## Why graduation rates matter
Higher levels of education are almost always associated with higher earnings. US adults aged twenty five or over with a high school degree earn eight thousand two hundred sixteen dollars more a year than those…
## How the data was gathered
Business Insider compiled the most up to date high school graduation rates from state education agencies and public data portals across all fifty states.
## The four-year adjusted cohort formula
Most states follow the four year adjusted cohort graduation rate formula, which measures the share of first time ninth graders who earn a regular high school diploma within four years.
## Alaska ranks lowest
Alaska has the lowest four year high school graduation rate at seventy nine point eight seven percent.
## Bottom five states
Arizona ranks forty nine with eighty percent graduation rate.New Mexico is forty eight at eighty point six three percent.Vermont is forty seven at eighty two percent.Oklahoma is forty six at eighty two point two percent.
## Mid-range performers
States in the middle of the ranking include Nevada at eighty five point four percent, Colorado at eighty five point six percent, and Hawaii and South Dakota tied at eighty six percent.
## Top performers below Kentucky
West Virginia ranks second at ninety two point eight percent graduation rate.Alabama is third at ninety two point seven seven percent.Virginia is fourth at ninety two point seven percent.
## High performers in top ten
Florida ranks sixth at ninety two point two percent.Wisconsin is seventh at ninety two percent.Indiana is eighth at ninety one point eight three percent.New Jersey is ninth at ninety one point eight percent.
## Spending and income context
The ranking includes each state's public school spending per pupil and median household income.New York spends the most at thirty one thousand nine hundred eighteen dollars per pupil.Spending does not always correlate with graduation rates.
## Kentucky's profile
Kentucky leads with ninety three point six zero percent graduation rate.Per pupil education spending is fourteen thousand five hundred ninety six dollars and median household income is sixty four thousand five hundred twenty six dollars.
## Key takeaway

Kentucky has the highest four-year high school graduation rate at 93.60%, while Alaska has the lowest at 79.87%. High school graduates earn $8,216 more annually than those without diplomas.