Equitable Funding = Economic Success
Quality Workforce
Prioritizing funding for public universities will result in 15,000 more students graduating in Illinois each year.
Strengthens Tax Base
New graduates will generate $692 million in new state tax revenue every year contributing $5.3 billion to local economies each year, creating a ripple effect that benefits local businesses, provides opportunities for home ownership and supports community organizations.
Top-Notch Educators
Stable funding is critical to recruiting and retaining quality educators and support staff.
Student Resources
Enhanced funding will allow universities to provide wraparound services to ensure student success along with academic counseling, health and wellness services, career development, and mental health programs lead to better attendance, retention and graduation rates.
Improves Outcomes for Underserved Students
Equitable funding ensures institutions have the resources to prevent underserved students, including minority, rural, low-income, and first-generation students from falling between the gaps. While 70% of White students at Illinois public universities graduate within six years, only 38% of Black students and 53% of Latino students graduate in six years. For low-income students who receive Pell grants, 50% graduate in four years compared to 73% of non-Pell students.
Higher Incomes
An individual with a bachelor’s degree attains median lifetime earnings of over $3 million – 41 percent more than the median lifetime earnings for those with just a high school diploma.