Chicago Public Schools Class of 2025 Saves More Than $10 Million in College Tuition Through Early College Credits

Chicago Public Schools Class of 2025 Saves More Than $10 Million in College Tuition Through Early College Credits

Record-breaking 211 students earn associate degrees alongside their high school diplomas

CHICAGO – This spring, as thousands of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) seniors cross graduation stages across the city, many will be taking more than a diploma with them —they will be stepping into their future with a head start on college, a stronger sense of purpose, and meaningful financial savings for their families.

“We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2025 for making history in our early college programs,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “These graduates are not just walking away with high school diplomas—they’re leaving our schools with college credits, real momentum toward their degrees, and thousands of dollars in tuition savings for their families. This is what it looks like when we invest in students and help them thrive beyond graduation.”

This year, 211 seniors have earned both a high school diploma and an associate degree, while more than 1,000 graduates have completed 15 or more transferable college credits. In total, more than 6,600 CPS students from the Class of 2025 earned more than 66,000 early college credits, —the highest achievement in CPS history - representing an estimated $10 million in tuition savings for CPS families.

“This remarkable number of CPS students isn’t just finishing high school — they’re accelerating toward their college and career ambitions,” said Chief Education Officer Chkoumbova. “This is what we mean when we talk about high-quality, rigorous public education. These students embody the academic excellence and determination we work to cultivate every single day.”

These milestones underscore CPS’s commitment to expanding access to rigorous, college-level coursework and ensuring every student graduates prepared for college, career, and life.

To honor these accomplishments, CPS Office of College and Career Success leaders joined City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Chancellor Juan Salgado and DeVry University Dean of Teaching and Learning Dr. Brian Niro – along with school leaders and families - to celebrate scholars from 84 high schools who are getting a powerful head start on postsecondary success. The celebration took place Tuesday, May 20, at UIC’s Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum.

The Power of Partnership: The Chicago Roadmap

These outcomes are made possible through the Chicago Roadmap, a strategic partnership first established between CPS and CCC, which ensures CPS students can access college-level courses, free of charge, during high school. The initiative expands equitable access to:

Dual credit courses taught by qualified CPS teachers at high schools

Dual enrollment courses taught by CCC faculty at college campuses or online

High-quality advising, career exploration, and transition supports

In addition to CCC, CPS students also earned credits through partners that include DeVry University, Chicago State University, Illinois Tech, Loyola University, Northeastern Illinois University, National Louis University, University of Chicago, and University of Illinois Chicago.

“Through the Chicago Roadmap, we’re opening more doors for high school students to take free college courses—helping them save time and money on their path to a degree,” said Chancellor Salgado of CCC. “In partnership with CPS and our communities, we’re creating clear, seamless pathways to higher education and in-demand careers for Chicago’s young people.”

Record-Breaking Achievements for the Class for 2025

The Class of 2025 set new records across every Early College milestone:

More than 1,000 students earned 15 or more college credits, the equivalent of one semester in college, which represents a 21.4 percent increase from 2024

A total of 320 students earned 30 credits or more, equivalent to one full year of college, which marks a 47.5 percent increase from 2024

211 graduating seniors earned an associate degree while still in high school, a 46.5 increase from the prior year.

80 schools earned milestone recognition for early college achievement, representing a 21.3 percent increase from 2024.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.