Carroll County Surges in College Completion, Leads Region in Three-Year Graduation

Carroll County is demonstrating strong progress in college completion according to the 2025 tnAchieves Annual Report, which was released in late May. With 253 Tennessee Promise graduates, the county shows notable performance, particularly in short-term graduation outcomes.

Statewide Progress

Across Tennessee, the Promise program has supported 53,168 college graduates. The statewide three-year graduation rate rose to 42% for the Class of 2021 – a five-point gain over the previous year. These improvements are attributed to support models such as COMPLETE coaching and emergency grants that help students persist and graduate.

The report also notes that students who received support through tnAchieves were significantly more likely to graduate across all demographic categories, compared to students who did not participate in the program.

Carroll County Highlights

Carroll County has produced 253 graduates through Tennessee Promise.

Class of 2020: Three-year graduation rate of 44%

Class of 2021: Three-year graduation rate of 69%, significantly above the state average

Class of 2018: Six-year graduation rate of 52%

The Class of 2021’s three-year rate is among the highest in the state and demonstrates a major increase over previous cohorts.

Regional Comparisons

Compared to surrounding counties:

Henry County: 158 graduates; 58% three-year, 68% six-year

Weakley County: 115 graduates; 36% three-year, 69% six-year

Gibson County: 237 graduates; 42% three-year, 71% six-year

Carroll County leads the region in the most recent three-year graduation rate. Although its six-year graduation rate of 52% is slightly lower than some nearby counties, the county's Class of 2021 figures suggest improvement in short-term degree completion.

Conclusion

Carroll County’s results in the latest tnAchieves Annual Report underscore its contribution to the growing number of college graduates across Tennessee. With continued support from statewide initiatives and steady local participation, the county is helping more students access and complete higher education on a faster timeline.