Chicago Public Schools is celebrating a new milestone in student achievement, reporting an 83.4% four-year graduation rate for the Class of 2026 as graduating seniors earned nearly $3 billion in college scholarships.
The results, announced October 21, reflect continued progress for one of the nation’s largest school districts. The graduation rate increased from approximately 82.5% in 2025, extending a long-term improvement in student outcomes.
District officials reported that graduates secured approximately $2.97 billion in scholarship offers, creating opportunities for thousands of students to pursue higher education.
CPS Chief Executive Officer Macquline King highlighted the results during a celebration at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center High School, crediting sustained investments in academic support, college preparation and career readiness.
The latest figures represent a dramatic improvement from 2001, when fewer than half of CPS students graduated within four years.
Beyond graduation rates, the district reported that 57.2% of graduating seniors earned at least one Early College and Career Credential. These credentials include college credits, industry certifications and other qualifications designed to help students transition into higher education or employment.
That percentage has increased by more than 10 points over the past four years, reflecting the district’s expanding focus on preparing students for life after high school.
CPS also reported a 70.7% college enrollment rate for the Class of 2025, the most recent graduating class with available enrollment data.
Despite the progress, questions remain about whether improvements are reaching students equally across Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Black students have historically experienced disparities in graduation rates, school resources and access to advanced academic opportunities. Districtwide results alone do not establish whether those gaps narrowed among 2026 graduates.
The issue carries particular importance for families on Chicago’s South and West sides, where education advocates have consistently called for equitable investments and stronger academic support.
Chronic absenteeism also remains a significant challenge, even as the district reports improvements in graduation and college readiness.
Still, the latest numbers represent meaningful progress for a school system that has navigated financial pressures, enrollment declines and debates over educational equity.
For Chicago families, the achievement reflects students completing an important academic milestone and gaining access to opportunities that can shape their futures.
The challenge ahead is sustaining that momentum while ensuring students in every neighborhood benefit from the district’s progress.
