Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United States

Dropping out of high school is related to a number of negative outcomes: for example, a lower median income of persons ages 18 through 67, a loss of income over a person's lifetime, poor health conditions, higher percentages of the nation's institutionalized population, an effect on the economy due to lower tax contributions, higher reliance on Medicaid and Medicare, higher rates of criminal activity, and higher reliance on welfare. This report examines the characteristics and effects of high school dropout versus completion rates. It presents estimates of rates in 2013, provides data on long-term trends in dropout and completion rates, and examines the characteristics of high school dropouts and completers.