Metro Creative

LANSING – Michigan in the last decade has ranked ninth among states in increasing student participation in Advanced Placement courses and 13th in improving scores that are high enough for students to possibly qualify for college credits, according to data for students in the Class of 2025 being released today by the College Board.

“Michigan’s Advanced Placement program continued its strong upward trajectory in 2025, with meaningful gains in student participation, performance, equity, and college credit savings,” said State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko. “College Board data confirms that Michigan is expanding access to rigorous coursework and delivering results for students across the state, aligned with Goal 4 of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to expand secondary learning opportunities for all learners. This progress reflects the dedication of our students, educators, and school leaders, and they should be proud of what they have achieved.”

“Our historic investments in students, educators, and schools are helping more young Michiganders succeed,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Michigan’s statewide growth in AP engagement will help more families lower the cost of higher education and envision a bright future for their kids. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made connecting students and classrooms with the latest tech, investing in teachers, raising per-student funding to over $10,000, and delivering free breakfast and lunch to all 1.4 million public school students. Let’s keep working hard to put Michigan in the lead and help our students thrive.”

Michigan demonstrated notable statewide growth in AP participation for the Class of 2025

33.9% of Michigan graduates took an AP exam, an increase of 2.4 percentage points from the previous year. That ranks Michigan ninth among states over the last decade in the percentage increase in participation.

Over the last 10 years, the number of Michigan students scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam during high school grew from 18.8% in 2015 to 23.7% in 2025. That ranks Michigan 13th in the nation for the percentage point increase of graduates scoring a 3, 4 or 5, the highest scores possible. Scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam may qualify high school students to receive college credit while in high school.

Michigan continued its decade-long growth in AP success, with 23.7% of graduates scoring a 3 or higher, up from 18.8% in 2015. Importantly, Michigan saw growth in all demographic groups, signaling improved equity in access and success.

Participation Growth Among Historically Underrepresented Students Michigan’s equity-focused AP expansion is showing strong results, with major participation gains for the Class of 2025 in student groups historically underrepresented in advanced coursework:

AP participation by Black/African American students has increased by 8.4 percentage points to 19.5% since 2015, putting Michigan 10th in growth nationally.

AP participation by Hispanic/Latino students in the state has increased by 13.1 percentage points to 34.8% since 2015, putting Michigan fourth in growth nationally.

Strengthening AP Pathways and Early Access

This winter, the Michigan Department of Education, for the fourth consecutive time, sent its AP potential letter to parents and guardians of more than 80,000 students who were identified using the College Board’s AP Potential Tool as likely to score a 3 or higher on an AP exam. These students were identified based on their performance on the spring 2025 Preliminary SAT (PSAT) 8/9 test or PSAT 10 for students in grades 8-10. These letters, sent directly to families by the state, have been one way to diversify AP course enrollment. Michigan is one of two states that send the letters.

Michigan is seeing growing participation in AP precalculus, AP Computer Science Principles and AP Seminar, which helps to diversify participation and provide earlier access to rigorous coursework.

Impact on College Cost Savings

AP success directly translates into significant cost savings for Michigan students and families. The figures below reflect students in both public and private schools:

Michigan public and nonpublic students from all grades who took at least one AP exam in 2025 earned 99,306 qualifying AP scores, representing 297,918 potential college credits.

These credits resulted in nearly $166 million in potential savings, easing college costs for thousands of families statewide.

Michigan’s National Recognition: 2025 AP School Honor Roll

Michigan continues to be a national leader in the AP School Honor Roll. One-hundred-seventy-one Michigan schools earned AP School Honor Roll distinction, meaning 33% of all eligible schools in the state earned the distinction.

Dozens of schools were either newly recognized or moved up a tier, reflecting growing quality and access across districts. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that expand AP access, support student success on AP exams and help students take a mix of AP classes spread out over their high school years so they aren’t overwhelmed and have the best chance to succeed.