How it works
US students typically graduate high school at the end of 12th grade, four years after entering 9th grade: graduation year = current school-year start + (5 − current grade number) where Freshman=1…Senior=4. College adds four years on top (five for some programs).
From birth date
Kindergarten entry is controlled by state cutoff dates (most states: child must turn 5 by Sep 1). The calculator estimates entry year from the cutoff, then walks forward: K + 13 years to high school graduation. School districts vary — treat it as an estimate and check your district's calendar.
Notes
- Mid-year: the grade answer assumes the current school year; graduation is the spring of the computed year.
- College: 4-year programs graduate in start + 4; 5-year (architecture, some engineering) + 5.
- Redshirting/retention shifts everything +1 year; early entry shifts −1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I find my high school or college graduation year?
Enter your current grade or the year you started school. A typical US high school education lasts 4 years (9th to 12th grade), while standard undergraduate bachelor's degrees take 4 years of continuous study.
Q: What graduation year is a child born in 2018?
A child born in 2018 typically starts Kindergarten in 2023 or 2024 (age 5-6), finishes high school in 2036, and completes a standard 4-year college degree in 2040.
Q: What grade is class of 2028, 2029, or 2030?
Class of 2028 graduates high school in spring 2028 (freshmen in 2024-2025). Class of 2029 graduates in 2029 (8th graders in 2024-2025), and Class of 2030 graduates in 2030 (7th graders in 2024-2025).