The quality of education in Illinois varies depending on the level (K-12 or higher education) and specific metrics you’re interested in, like funding, student outcomes, or teacher qualifications. For K-12, Illinois has a mix of high-performing and struggling schools. The state ranks decently nationally—around the middle of the pack—based on standardized test scores and graduation rates.
In 2023, the high school graduation rate was about 87%, slightly above the national average. However, there’s a big gap between districts. Wealthier areas like Naperville or Evanston have top-tier public schools with strong resources, while underfunded districts, especially in parts of Chicago and rural southern Illinois, face challenges like outdated facilities and teacher shortages.
Funding’s a key issue. Illinois relies heavily on local property taxes, which creates inequality. The state overhauled its funding formula in 2017 with the Evidence-Based Funding model, aiming to boost support for poorer districts, but progress is slow—many schools are still below “adequate” funding levels as of 2025. Teacher pay is above the national average (around $70,000 annually), but shortages persist, especially in special ed and STEM.
For higher education, Illinois has standouts like the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a global leader in engineering and tech research, and the University of Chicago, a Nobel factory. Community colleges are solid too, with affordable options like College of DuPage serving as pipelines to four-year degrees or trades.
But affordability’s a problem—tuition at public universities has climbed faster than inflation, and student debt’s a growing burden.
Overall, Illinois education’s quality is uneven. It’s got strengths in its top institutions and urban centers, but systemic issues like funding disparities and access hold it back. (Per Grok)
Public Education Funding
In IL, the primary source of funds for education is property taxes. Some additional funds are available from the state of IL and federal programs.
Are taxpayers getting real value for the cost? Per survey noted, 58% of taxpayers say the value of services and benefits are not worth the amount of spending.
Public Education Performance
The core results of public education in Illinois should be unacceptable for parents/taxpayers.