Chicago Public Schools See High Graduation Rates, Low College Completion

Graduation rates among students from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have reached near record highs, yet a concerning trend persists regarding college completion. A recent report indicates that only half of the CPS graduates who enroll in college will earn their credentials within a decade. The study, conducted by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research in collaboration with the To&Through Project, reveals that the overall college completion rate for CPS alumni stands at 48%, which is significantly below the national average of 64%.

The report highlights a troubling statistic: if a cohort of 100 students begins ninth grade at CPS today, approximately 84 will graduate high school, 58 will enroll in college immediately, and only 30 will complete a college credential within ten years. These figures are nearly identical to those recorded last year. Alex Usher, director of data and research at the To&Through Project, remarked, “Getting students into college is a great first step, but starting college and not completing is not a good outcome, for the most part. There’s definitely work to be done ahead.”

Barriers to College Completion

Despite the encouraging graduation rates, challenges remain that hinder college completion for many CPS graduates. Experts have identified several barriers, including soaring tuition costs, complex program requirements, and insufficient support systems. The latest findings serve as a “starting place” for understanding these issues, with researchers optimistic that ongoing improvements within the district will yield better student outcomes over time. Usher described the attainment index as both a “rallying point” and a motivating factor for stakeholders, emphasizing that the education system can evolve and improve.

Disparities in college completion rates are stark across race and gender. In the graduating class of 2018, Asian and white women had the highest completion rates at 81%, while Black men faced the lowest rates at 27%. Black women and Latino men completed their degrees at rates of 40%. A separate study conducted in July found that students from the lowest-income families in Illinois are three times more likely to drop out compared to their wealthier peers.

Researchers have linked these outcomes to the types of postsecondary institutions that low-income students often attend. For-profit colleges, which tend to lead to higher debt, disproportionately recruit Black and Latino students. Additionally, these students are often overrepresented in community colleges, where they encounter complicated transfer processes. To address these issues, Usher stated that colleges and universities must enhance their support systems to better serve a changing student demographic.

Impact of the Pandemic on Education

The class of 2024, central to this report, began high school during the COVID-19 pandemic. The abrupt transition to remote learning exacerbated existing achievement gaps and contributed to elevated rates of chronic absenteeism across the district. The report suggests that the lingering effects of the pandemic may be reflected in these students’ college outcomes. Additionally, a delayed release of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) last year resulted in corresponding delays in financial aid packages. This cohort also faced unique challenges as they were the first to apply to college following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action, potentially affecting their sense of belonging in higher education.

Despite these challenges, there are positive indicators within the data. Among the CPS class of 2024, 66% enrolled in a two-year or four-year college in the summer or fall immediately after graduation, surpassing the national average of 61%. A record 7,368 students from the class of 2018 graduated with degrees or certificates this year, reflecting progress in college enrollment efforts and support from the district. Usher noted, “I think it’s just such a testament to the work that the district, and the wider ecosystem in Chicago, has been doing around college enrollment.”

The past decade has seen significant growth for CPS, with metrics showing marked improvements. A decade ago, researchers estimated that only 73% of ninth graders would graduate, and just 40% would enroll in a four-year college; those figures now stand at 84% and 43%, respectively. Although graduation rates are slightly down, they remain above the post-COVID low of 82% recorded in 2021.

Usher concluded by emphasizing that many Chicagoans may not fully appreciate the progress made over the past two decades, particularly in the last ten years. The ongoing challenges call for continued collaboration between schools, colleges, and community resources to foster an environment where students can thrive academically and complete their postsecondary education.