How can Illinois stop brain drain? Try fixing higher ed.

If you ask Illinois public university leaders why so many top high schoolers bolt for out-of-state colleges, you’ll hear a chorus of excuses … er, reasons. Many boil down to: We want more money. Few of those leaders acknowledge reality: Illinois’ public colleges are selling a product that progressively fewer students want to buy.

The alarming statistics: Since 2000, the number of Illinois residents enrolled as freshmen outside the state in public or private colleges has increased by 73 percent — to 35,445 from 20,507. Almost half of Illinois high school grads going to four-year colleges now abandon Illinois for out-of-state. Ten of Illinois’ 12 public universities suffered shriveling enrollment in 2017, some taking percentage hits in double digits.

Source: How can Illinois stop brain drain? Try fixing higher ed. – Chicago Tribune