For many, secondary school is the buffer between childhood and adulthood. During this time, high school students’ education grows to include adult responsibilities such as working a part-time job, paying taxes, or perhaps saving up for further education in university. With this in mind, what is the average age of the high school graduate? The
average age for students who graduate high school in the United States is 18. However, students can be older or younger depending on their academic skill level and external circumstances. The maximum age for high school graduation is 21, after which individuals would turn to a GED program. We will delve further into this data and the different factors affecting average graduation. In addition, we will address whether or not there is an age limit to graduating from high school
below. The American public school system divides students by age. Typically, students within each grade or year will be the same age depending on birth dates. However, some students who are just on
the cusp of the cutoff date (generally right before the commencement of fall classes) may have to wait to join until the following year, thus making them the older students in their grade as opposed to the youngest in the grade above. You can see the age breakdown by grade level by clicking Average Age by Grade Level (Easy-to-Read Table). Due to this sorting, the average age of graduating high school students is 17 or 18. Yet, there are always a few outliers within this statistic. For example, students who demonstrate higher or lower understanding of course material may either skip grades (in which they are bumped up to the next grade level a year early) or get held back (where they repeat a year to understand the material better). Students whose first language is not English may need to proceed more slowly
than others. Furthermore, students who transfer in from other states or countries may need to move down a grade to build up their level of knowledge before moving up to the next grade. Thus, it is not uncommon for high school graduates to be 19 years of age. Maximum Age Limit for High School GraduatesThe average age at which individuals can no longer enroll in the compulsory education system (maximum age limit) is 21. Though, some states have a higher or lower age limit than others. Typically, students who will be above the age limit by the end of the year but are still under age at the time of the cutoff date can still enroll. This policy can also vary from state to state. According to statistics provided by the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), most states only require school attendance of those between 6 and 17 years of age, even though education itself must remain available to any until the maximum age limit. Below, you will find a table of the states with the highest and lowest maximum age limits (source):
However, even for students who have passed the maximum age limit, a high school diploma is still attainable through night classes for a certain amount of time. Other secondary education certificate equivalents are discussed later on in this article. Data Trends in High School Graduation AgeThough there can be some stigma in graduating later, there is no shame in not graduating within the typical 4-year window. Students spend additional time in high school for various reasons, including:
In recent years, the high school graduation age data has shown that the typical 4-year window is not as prevalent as it once was.  The details of every student’s education may not be the same. The NCES calculates the percentage of high school students who complete their diploma requirements within four years of beginning 9th grade, called the adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR). The average ACGR for all 50 states in the US is 86%, with some variation between states individually (source). Based on that statistic, roughly 14% of graduating high schoolers are either over or under that norm. However, this statistic fails to account for students who do not complete their high school education. These students are accounted for in the status dropout rate, also recorded and tracked by the NCES. The status dropout rate represents “the percentage of 16- to 24-year-olds who are not enrolled in high school and who lack a high school credential (either a diploma or an alternative credential such as a GED certificate)” (source). As of 2020, the status dropout rate was at 5.3%, a decrease from 2010’s 7.4%. Within those students, there was also a significant decrease in dropouts among students of non-white ethnicity. These are good improvements by all accounts. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of high school students graduating after their 18th birthday, some as late as 24 in 2014 (source). The trend spiked again most recently in 2022 with the coronavirus pandemic (source). During this time, students had to complete a year or more of school remotely while anti-virus precautions were in place, a move that cost many students. Although male and female students have shown declines in on-time graduation, male students experienced a sharper decline than women. This trend is even more prevalent in minority groups and students from lower-income families. High School Diploma AlternativesNot every student initially enrolled in high school will graduate. While this in no way excludes them from the workforce in the future, it may severely limit their career options. Individuals who did not complete their high school education but have passed the age limit for re-enrollment may still obtain a secondary education. General Education Development (GED) TestRather than a high school diploma or certificate of completion, adult-aged students would seek to pass the General Education Development test (GED). A GED is a set of paid exams determining whether a candidate meets those requirements without attending an actual high school. A high school diploma signifies that a student has completed the requirements for secondary education in a traditional classroom setting. Conversely, a GED certifies that an individual has the same academic knowledge, except acquired outside a high school or secondary school. The four subjects that it tests knowledge on are:
While you may take some GED courses online, you must take GED finals in person at an approved testing facility or via an online proctor. The benefit of online testing is that you can do it remotely at any time. Unfortunately, in-person testing frequently has limited seating and might not fit easily into your schedule. Getting a GED at any age will bring many benefits to the recipient. For example, those who have their GED can apply for better-paying jobs, get into college, apply for scholarships for college or technical training, further advance in their current field of employment, and join the armed services. All of these are just the monetary benefits. Additionally, acquiring a GED equips the learner with practical study skills and test-taking strategies, provides an opportunity to set healthier habits, and sets an excellent example to those around them. In short, a GED is an easy example of hard work and study resulting in a tangible positive result. The requirements for taking the GED vary depending on the state. For example, while some states demand that candidates be at least 16 years of age, others list their minimum as 17 years of age (source). Thankfully, the GED website has a tool that provides information on price and application rules by state. GED-seeking adults may find it challenging to manage their other responsibilities with a GED program. However, while working or parenting and pursuing an education at the same time may be daunting, it is doable! There are many programs available for obtaining a GED. Online programs (such as GED+, a paid program, USAHello, or a free program) allow users to log in and participate in classes anytime. Established programs also offer a personal advisor, who can provide additional guidance to stay focused and organized. Other programs may be locally sourced and in-person. When searching for a GED program, look at what study tools they use, whether or not they offer practice tests, what class attendance might look like, and any reviews from former students. Not all courses are free, so check pricing and refund policies before making a final decision. Certificate of CompletionAnother graduation alternative is a Certificate of Completion. These certificates are used for students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) who have not met state graduation requirements but still want to participate in graduation ceremonies with their cohort. The certificate is not a valid academic credential. It merely certifies attendance in high school. Thus, they cannot act as a prerequisite for admission to college or universities or like programs that would require a high school degree or GED. That said, there is nothing within receiving a Certificate of Completion that would prevent the student from returning to receive a full diploma later (within the accepted age range) or receiving a high school equivalency degree. Exceptions to the RuleNot all graduates will fit into the typical age category because of home situations, health, skill level, or other reasons. Some students—like those child prodigies from television—graduate very early. Jeremy Shuler is one such student. Believe it or not, he received his GED (a high school diploma equivalent) at age 12 (source). Other students may take advantage of the available education until the maximum enrollment age. In Texas, you can stay enrolled up to the age of 26. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) holds schools accountable for providing all students with equal opportunities for successful education (source). This act, which replaced the No Child Left Behind Act, considers students in poverty, minorities, those with special education requirements, and students with limited experience with the English language. In addition, it provides for Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which offers flexible learning and resources to all students (source). Students affected by learning disabilities, illness, language barriers, or other handicaps may require more time than others to complete their secondary education. The IDEA requires schools to provide all students with a free and adequate education within the best environment. For some students, this may mean they attend regular classes in addition to a resource or study room for extra help. For others, it may mean they have an aide or translator in classes. Students with disabilities recognized under the law are eligible for an IEP. As a quick reference, an IEP “is a plan or program developed to ensure that [a student with disabilities] receives specialized instruction and related services.” Disabilities that are eligible for an IEP include (source):
It is worth noting that this list is not exhaustive. If you think you may qualify for an IEP, speak with an academic advisor to determine a plan. Even students who do not have disabilities under IDEA can receive aid or tutoring through their school. The intended goal for all of these plans and acts is for every individual to have an opportunity to graduate high school or receive an equivalent education. Source: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 |
What age do you graduate high school USA
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