According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the Class of 2024 in Illinois achieved success in Advanced Placement (AP) participation and performance, setting new records and outpacing national averages.
Performance Highlights
Illinois has made significant strides in AP exam performance over the past decade:
- The percentage of Illinois graduates scoring 3 or higher on an AP exam increased from 21.6% in 2014 to 28.3% in 2024, a 6.7 percentage point increase.
- This performance surpasses the national average of 22.6%.
- Illinois ranks third in the nation for the 10-year increase in the percentage of graduates scoring 3 or higher on an AP exam during high school.
- The state moved up to fifth place nationally for the percentage of the Class of 2024 scoring 3 or higher on an AP exam during high school, improving from sixth place last year.
“Over the years, we’ve seen that when we provide our students with the right opportunities, they rise to the occasion,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
“Our efforts are opening doors, breaking down financial barriers, and helping more students save thousands on tuition later on.”
Participation and Equity
Illinois has made significant progress in expanding AP access across diverse student groups:
- The state ranks fourth nationally for the percentage of Black/African American graduates taking an AP exam during high school, up from 11th place last year.
- Illinois maintains its fifth-place ranking for the percentage of Hispanic/Latino graduates taking an AP exam.
- For Asian graduates, Illinois ranks third in the nation for AP exam participation.
- Overall, Illinois is fifth in the nation for the percentage of graduates taking an AP exam during high school.
State Support and Initiatives
The success of Illinois’ AP program can be attributed to several key initiatives:
- Governor JB Pritzker’s fiscal year 2025 budget invested $3 million in AP, including $500,000 for the AP Course Implementation Grant and $2.5 million for AP Exam fee waivers.
- Public Act 101-0654, enacted in 2021, requires automatic enrollment of qualifying students in advanced coursework, including AP.
- Illinois law mandates that a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam qualifies for free college credit at all public colleges and universities in the state.
Impact and Future Outlook
The success of Illinois’ AP program has far-reaching benefits:
- In 2024, 57,089 Illinois graduates had taken an AP exam during high school, with 37,513 scoring 3 or higher1
- This represents a potential cost savings of $264 million for students and families.
- Research indicates that students who succeed in AP courses are more likely to graduate college on time, reducing student debt and increasing lifetime earnings.
