CPS college enrollment beats national average
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Chicago Public School students are enrolling in college at rates higher than the national average, according to a new report by UChicago's To&Through Project and Consortium for School Research.
Why it matters: Higher college enrollment rates can translate into higher earnings for CPS students, 71.8% of whom face economic disadvantages.
The big picture: With so much focus on turmoil at CPS, the data offers a moment to celebrate a district that, unbeknownst to many, is seen as a national leader in some areas.
What they're saying: "We hear so often about what's not working. But we need to create space for good news," report author Alexandra Usher tells Axios.
- "I was just at a conference at Harvard, and people on multiple panels were pointing to Chicago as a leader in educational improvements, including college advising and enrollment support."
By the numbers: 66% of CPS grads in the class of 2024 enrolled in college, compared to 61% of students nationally.
- This progress builds on record-high CPS graduation rates (85%) reported in a different UChicago analysis last year.
What's more: These kids managed to enroll in college despite daunting challenges during their high school years, including COVID, FAFSA redesign delays and new rules around the role of race in admissions.
Reality check: When it comes to completing college, CPS alums didn't do nearly as well, checking with a dismal 48% college completion rate, well below the national average of 64%, the report says.
- Yes, but: That still represented a record-high number of recent CPS alumni graduating from college with a degree or certificate: 7,368 students from the class of 2018 (the most recent cohort for which authors have six years of post-secondary data).
The other side: "Although they are enrolling at high rates, [CPS] graduates are not always prepared to succeed in higher education - and that can cost them long term," Illinois Policy Institute analyst Hannah Schmid tells Axios, noting that 43% of CPS grads had to take remedial classes in community college, according to recent data
The intrigue: Improving the completion rates will require addressing factors outside of K-12 education, Usher says.
- "Students also need a lot of support from their higher ed institutions for things like housing and basic needs for them and their families," she tells Axios. "And they need financial support."
- Usher notes that CPS's largely low-income, Black and brown population will enter college with bigger financial challenges than the average student.
Go deeper: Find more detailed graduation, enrollment and completion data here with info on specific schools and neighborhoods.
- You can also register to join a webinar breaking down the data at noon Tuesday.