Mississippi Schools & Education
School quality and education data for all 82 counties.
Avg Graduation Rate
87.1%
Avg Per-Pupil Spending
$5,954
Avg School Score
27/100
Total Schools
1,038
152 districts
State Overview
About Schools in Mississippi
Mississippi Matches National Graduation Rates on Lean Budgets
Mississippi achieves an 87.1% average graduation rate, slightly exceeding the national average of 87.0%. Despite this parity in outcomes, the state spends only $5,954 per pupil, which is less than half of the $13,000 national benchmark.
Education Quality Varies Across 81 Mississippi Counties
Performance ranges significantly from a high graduation rate of 97.0% in Holmes County to a low of 75.0% in Leflore County. With school scores spanning from 42.1 to 56.6, the state exhibits a notable 14.5-point gap between its top and bottom performing districts.
High Efficiency in Educational Return on Investment
Mississippi maintains an average school score of 49.8, nearly reaching the national median of 50.0 despite the massive funding gap. While Choctaw County invests a state-high $8,216 per student, Noxubee County operates with just $4,885 per pupil.
Quitman, Sharkey, and Montgomery Lead the State
Quitman County tops the rankings with a 56.6 school score and a 97.0% graduation rate on a $6,728 budget. Sharkey and Montgomery counties follow closely, both maintaining school scores above 55.0 and graduation rates at or above 95.0%.
Strong Outcomes for Families Despite Limited Resources
Mississippi is a resilient state for education, offering graduation rates that mirror national levels at a fraction of the typical cost. Families seeking the best academic results should prioritize districts like Quitman and Sharkey where graduation rates approach 100%.
Top Performing School Counties
All Mississippi Counties
— = data pending from NCES pipeline.
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Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.