illinois - College Changes Everything

A STRONGER
NATION THROUGH HIGHER
EDUCATION
ILLINOIS
A policy brief from Lumina Foundation
A stronger nation through higher education
— and Illinois’ role in that effort
I
n Illinois, 41.3 percent of the state’s 6.8 million
Clearly, Illinois’ economic future depends on producing
working-age adults (25-64 years old) hold at least
more college graduates.
a two-year degree, according to 2010 Census data.
Illinois can produce a lot more graduates by helping
Attainment rates in Illinois are essentially stable. The
its residents who have gone to college but haven’t yet
degree-attainment rate of young adults — 25-34 years earned a credential. In 2010, 1.5 million Illinois adults
old — is 44.4 percent, higher than that of the adult
had gone to college but did not have either a two- or
population as a whole.
four-year college degree. They represent 22 percent of
In 2010, the percentage of Americans between the the state’s adult population. Encouraging and helping
ages of 25 and 64 — working-age adults — who held
these adults to complete degrees would go a long way
a two- or four-year college degree was 38.3 percent.
to helping Illinois reach the 60 percent goal.
The rate is going up slowly but
To increase higher
steadily. In 2009, the rate was 38.1
education attainment, states
Tracking the trend
percent, and in 2008 it was 37.9
must work systematically to
Percentage
of
the
state’s
working-age
population
percent. For young adults, the best
close achievement gaps. To help
(25-64) with at least an associate degree
leading indicator of future higher
Illinois develop and implement
education attainment, the rate is
these strategies, this document
41.4% 41.3%
39.3 percent — a full percentage
features a detailed breakdown
40.8%
point higher than for all workingof the attainment rate in each
age adults.
county. The data show that,
In both Illinois and the U.S.
while increasing attainment is a
as a whole, attainment rates must
statewide need, it is a particular
increase more rapidly to reach the
challenge in rural counties.
Big Goal of 60 percent attainment
Assuring that all Illinois
by 2025. If the current rate of
communities have access to
degree production continues,
high-quality higher education is
about 49 percent of Illinois’ adult
essential.
2008
2009
2010
population — nearly 3.3 million
Finally, to reach the Big
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, more description to come later for this.
people — will hold a college
Goal, Illinois must increase
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey
degree in 2025. To reach 60
college success among the fastpercent, Illinois will need to add
growing groups that will account
slightly more than 710,000 degrees to that total. That’s for a growing proportion of the state’s population,
a tall order, but it is far from impossible.
including working adults, low-income and firstHelp Wanted, a report by the Georgetown
generation students, and students of color. Meeting the
University Center on Education and the Workforce,
educational needs of these 21st century students will
explains why increasing higher education attainment
help build Illinois’ economy and ensure a bright future
is so important. According to the Center’s analysis of
for the state.
occupation data and workforce trends, 64 percent of
More detailed data on higher education attainment
Illinois’ jobs will require postsecondary education by
for the nation and all 50 states — as well as information
2018. Between now and 2018, Illinois will need to fill
on effective strategies to increase the number of college
2 million vacancies resulting from job creation, worker graduates — is available on Lumina Foundation’s
retirements and other factors. Of these job vacancies,
website (www.luminafoundation.org).
1.3 million will require postsecondary credentials.
Lumina Foundation
I
A stronger nation through higher education
Levels of education for Illinois residents, ages 25-64
4.41%
12.16%
6.82%
21.11%
25.46%
8.04%
22.01%
Less than ninth grade
301,928
4.41%
Ninth to 12th grade, no diploma
467,136
6.82%
High school graduate (including equivalency)
1,744,545
25.46%
Some college, no degree
1,507,642
22.01%
Associate degree
550,984
8.04%
Bachelor’s degree
1,445,933
21.11%
Graduate or professional degree
832,772
12.16%
TOTAL
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey
6,850,940100%
Degree-attainment rates among Illinois adults (ages 25-64), by population group
White
46.88%
Black
27.87%
Hispanic
17.83%
Asian
71.86%
Native American
0%
10%
35.08%
20%
30%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008-10
American Community Survey PUMS File
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
The path to 60% degree attainment in Illinois
Annual benchmarks (targets) for a straight-line trajectory to reach 60% attainment by 2025
60%
50%
48.8%
51.3%
53.8%
56.3%
46.3%
41.3%
40%
60%
Expected percentages of degee holders among 25- to 64-year-olds at the current rate
41.3%
43.8%
42.4%
43.4%
2012 2014 44.5%
46.6%
45.6%
58.8%
3,981,667
graduates
47.7%
48.7%
2022 2024
49.3%
3,271,603
graduates
30%
20%
2010 2016 2018 2020
2026
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census and 2010 American Community Survey
Lumina Foundation
I
A stronger nation through higher education
Percentage of Illinois adults (ages 25-64) with at least an associate degree, by county
Adams33.45
Cumberland28.12
Hardin22.86
Lee28.18
Morgan29.69
Scott28.18
Alexander21.17
DeKalb40.06
Henderson26.55
Livingston23.61
Moultrie28.08
Shelby29.49
Bond37.02
De Witt
24.79
Henry34.51
Logan25.96
Ogle29.75
Stark30.31
Boone30.23
Douglas24.16
Iroquois25.31
McDonough45.21
Peoria40.39
Stephenson29.80
Brown20.37
DuPage56.16
Jackson46.17
McHenry42.51
Perry27.07
Tazewell37.56
Bureau27.08
Edgar28.43
Jasper31.73
McLean50.89
Piatt37.82
Union29.71
Calhoun28.66
Edwards37.28
Jefferson25.98
Macon30.53
Pike23.80
Vermilion25.35
Carroll26.74
Effingham38.32
Jersey29.48
Macoupin26.77
Pope20.41
Wabash35.87
Cass18.64
Fayette26.77
Jo Daviess
34.14
Madison35.04
Pulaski26.37
Warren30.25
Champaign53.15
Ford29.28
Johnson23.77
Marion27.75
Putnam30.59
Washington34.38
Christian22.22
Franklin27.26
Kane41.07
Marshall29.79
Randolph21.18
Wayne30.82
Clark32.72
Fulton26.78
Kankakee29.19
Mason27.47
Richland38.71
White31.21
Clay29.17
Gallatin20.73
Kendall43.26
Massac27.90
Rock Island
33.76
Whiteside28.85
Clinton35.09
Greene23.39
Knox28.66
Menard36.79
St. Clair
36.98
Will41.63
Coles35.89
Grundy29.98
Lake49.82
Mercer29.65
Saline29.78
Williamson34.63
Cook42.71
Hamilton28.79
LaSalle28.82
Monroe40.20
Sangamon43.30
Winnebago31.47
Crawford31.74
Hancock30.57
Lawrence28.66
Montgomery24.02
Schuyler25.26
Woodford42.08
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Lumina Foundation, an Indianapolis-based private foundation, is committed to enrolling and graduating more students
from college — especially 21st century students: low-income students, students of color, first-generation students and adult
learners. Lumina’s goal is to increase the proportion of Americans who hold high-quality degrees and credentials to 60
percent by 2025. Lumina pursues this goal in three ways: by identifying and supporting effective practice, through public
policy advocacy, and by using our communications and convening power to build public will for change.
www.luminafoundation.org
© Lumina Foundation for Education, Inc.
March 2012