Illinois is #41 on List of Best States for Community College

Illinois ranks near the bottom in a new national review of community college affordability and outcomes. Lesson Maker Pro placed Illinois 41st among the 48 contiguous states, measuring factors including living costs compared with median earnings, tuition, graduation rates, and state support. Florida took the top spot, followed by Connecticut and Nevada. In the Midwest, Wisconsin performed best, ranking 10th overall. The report gave the most weight to annual living expenses, suggesting that even lower tuition may not be enough if students struggle with housing, food, transportation, and other basic costs while pursuing a degree.