The Illinois higher education system is considered one of the nation’s elite, according to Measure Up 2002, a national report card released this month by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

“Illinois continues to make a strong commitment and wise investments in higher education, and those decisions keep paying off,” Gov. George Ryan said recently in a press release.

States receive grades biannually based on their performance in five areas involving their higher education system: preparation, participation, affordability, degree completion and benefits.

Illinois received one A and four B’s, bringing the state’s average to 86.4.

“We are delighted to again rank among the premier higher education systems in the nation,” said Steven Lesnik, chairman of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

NIU students seem to feel the grading is justified. However, some expressed concern about affordability.

James Wagner, a junior communication major, said the main reason higher education is affordable is because of financial aid, not tuition prices.

“Illinois schools are affordable thanks to outside sources,” he said.

Senior history major Mark Townsend said families have begun to realize that saving early is necessary to get an in-state education.

“They know for a fact school is not getting cheaper, so saving for an education is a top priority for families,” he said.

Other students would like to see Illinois’ higher education system improve in some “teaching skills” training for instructors. Illinois universities and colleges do not require instructors to obtain teaching certifications.

“There are many fine instructors here at NIU, but I would like to see more receive some kind of teaching training,” said Steve Dondelinger, a junior communication major.