University of Illinois' Financial Ineptitude on Full Display

SPRINGFIELD – Last week, I was chatting with a mother and father about their daughter’s college plans.

Their high schooler is visiting college campuses, and they are encouraging her to consider attending a college out of state.

I was surprised.

Both parents are such loyal University of Illinois graduates that I thought one must bleed Orange and the other Blue.

And their daughter is whip-smart, a National Honor Society member and a shoo-in to be admitted to Illinois’ flagship university.

“I hate to say it, but with the financial aid being offered, she can attend Iowa State as an out-of-stater for a lot less than the University of Illinois as an in-state student,” her mother told me.

It’s a common refrain being heard across the Land of Lincoln.

In fact, most kids who are admitted to the University of Illinois choose not to attend.

According to university data, back in 2006 58 percent of Illinois students offered admission to the U of I attended. In 2013, that number dropped to 45 percent...

You can read the rest of this editorial at Reboot Illinois-->