Illinois Board of Higher Education

What Illinois Board of Higher Education does

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) is a state government coordinating body established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1961, headquartered in Springfield, Illinois. IBHE oversees and coordinates Illinois' higher education ecosystem, which comprises nine public universities on 12 campuses, 39 community colleges on 48 campuses, 104 independent not-for-profit colleges and universities, 15 independent for-profit institutions, 26 out-of-state institutions, and 213 private business and vocational schools with 79 extension campuses. Its statutory functions include master planning, budget recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly, program approval and denial for new instructional and research programs, institutional authorization and review, administration of state and federal grant programs, and operation of a comprehensive statewide data information system. The agency is governed by a 16-member board and is led by Executive Director Ginger Ostro and Board Chair Pranav G. Kothari.

The agency's core product surface is an integrated ecosystem of web-based data and service platforms serving both institutions and students. These include the Illinois Transfer Dashboards, Enrollments & Degrees System, Institutional Profiles, College2Career System, Program Inventory Search, Faculty Salary Database, Equity Maps, the Student Complaint System, and the One Click College Admit direct admissions program. Student-facing service programs include HOUSE Liaisons (housing insecurity), Benefits Navigators, Undocumented Student Liaisons, and Veteran Coordinators. Workforce alignment tools such as the Workforce Insights dashboards and the State Attainment Working Group link educational attainment to in-demand occupations and credential definitions across nine Illinois workforce regions. Communication is delivered through the ibhe.org website, press releases, public board meetings, regional stakeholder sessions, and the Student Advisory Committee.

IBHE does not operate a commercial revenue model. The agency is funded through Illinois General Assembly state appropriations and federal grant pass-throughs, and it does not charge for its coordination, regulatory, or information services. Its customer base consists of Illinois higher education institutions, students and families, and state government partners — with statutory authority serving as the structural mechanism for service delivery rather than sales or pricing. The agency operates under a statewide strategic plan titled "A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth."

Name

Illinois Board of Higher Education

Legal name

Illinois Board of Higher Education

Website

https://ibhe.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Illinois Board of Higher Education is a state government coordinating body established in 1961 that plans, regulates, and coordinates Illinois' higher education ecosystem for over 180 institutions, the state legislature, and Illinois students through program approval, budget recommendations, grant administration, and statewide data systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Coordination and Regulatory Services

NAICS

Administration of Education Programs (923110), Administration of Education Programs (92311)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Higher Education Regulators & Tertiary Education Commissions (EDADAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scholarships, Grants & Education Benefits Administration (Financing-adjacent) (FSAKAEAM), Enrollment Management & Admissions Administration (EDADAKAD)

Keywords

• Higher education coordination
• State education policy
• Institutional program approval
• Education data systems
• Grants administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Springfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. State Appropriations: IBHE receives annual state appropriations from the Illinois General Assembly for operations, grants, and capital improvements for higher education institutions and agencies.
2. Federal Grant Administration: IBHE administers federal higher education grant programs as a pass-through entity, distributing funds to eligible Illinois institutions and students.
3. State Grant Programs: IBHE administers various state-funded grant programs including Nursing School Grants, Nurse Educator Fellowship, Diversifying Higher Education Faculty grants, Independent Colleges Capital Investment Grant Program, Grow Your Own Teacher Education, Cooperative Work Study Program, Mental Health Early Action on Campus (MHEAC), and the End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) Grant.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Illinois Board of Higher Education plans, coordinates, and provides regulatory oversight for Illinois' higher education system, including nine public universities, 39 community colleges, 104 independent not-for-profit institutions, and 213 private business and vocational schools. Its core offerings include statewide strategic planning, budget recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly, program approval and institutional authorization, administration of state and federal grant programs, and a comprehensive data information system providing statewide data on enrollment, degrees, transfers, faculty salaries, workforce outcomes, and institutional profiles.

Product overview

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) operates as a coordinating body for the state's higher education systems, overseeing nine public universities on 12 campuses, 39 community colleges on 48 campuses, 104 independent not-for-profit colleges and universities, 15 independent for-profit institutions, 26 out-of-state institutions, 213 private business and vocational schools, and 79 extension campuses. IBHE's product portfolio consists of a unified platform of interconnected tools and systems organized around student success, institutional oversight, and data transparency. The core offerings include One Click College Admit (direct admissions program), Illinois Transfer Dashboards, IBHE Enrollments & Degrees System, Faculty Salary Database, Student Complaint System, College2Career System, IBHE Program Inventory, and Institutional Profiles. Supporting student-facing services include HOUSE Liaisons (homeless student support), Benefits Navigator, Undocumented Student Liaisons, Veteran Coordinators, and Student Advisory Committee (SAC). Additional tools encompass Equity Analysis and Planning, Workforce Insights dashboards, State Attainment Working Group initiatives, Task Force on Campus Sexual Misconduct Climate Surveys, and comprehensive Annual Reports. These products function as an integrated ecosystem designed to support equitable access, institutional accountability, and data-driven decision-making across Illinois higher education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• One Click College Admit: Illinois direct admissions program that expedites and simplifies the college admission process for all Illinois students
• HOUSE (Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students' Excellence)
• Benefits Navigators

Products and services

• One Click College Admit Illinois direct admissions program that expedites and simplifies the college admission process for all Illinois students.
• Illinois Transfer Dashboards Data dashboard providing transfer information across Illinois higher education institutions, allowing tracking of student transfers across Illinois higher education institutions.
• IBHE Enrollments & Degrees System Resource providing long-term fall enrollment and annual degree completion information by institution, sector, degree level, year, race and gender, and programs of study.
• Faculty Salary Database Searchable database providing salary and benefit information for full-time and part-time administrators and instructional staff at Illinois public universities.
• Student Complaint System Online tool allowing individuals to register formal complaints against institutions with IBHE after exhausting resolution attempts with the institution.
• College2Career System Tool providing students and parents information on Illinois institutions and career outcomes of graduates from specific academic areas at post-secondary institutions.
• IBHE Program Inventory Searchable inventory of active degree and certificate programs by sector and primary home region.
• Institutional Profiles Tool encompassing all Illinois degree-granting institutions including program inventory, success measures, financial information, top programs based on enrollment and degrees, and institutional comparisons.
• HOUSE Liaisons Program Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students' Excellence (HOUSE) program requiring each institution to designate staff to serve as liaisons to homeless students, with annual training and data collection requirements.
• Benefits Navigator Program requiring each public institution to designate a Benefits Navigator to help students determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campuswide and community resource support.
• Equity Analysis and Planning Framework supporting institutions in advancing inclusive practices that foster student success through campus-based approaches aligned with state equity goals.
• Workforce Insights Dashboard and reporting tool providing workforce insights and data-driven tools highlighting workforce initiatives and trends aligned with A Thriving Illinois strategic plan.
• Veteran Coordinators Program requiring each public college and university to designate a Veteran Coordinator as ombudsperson serving student veterans and military personnel needs.
• Undocumented Student Liaisons Program requiring public institutions to designate employees to assist undocumented students and students from mixed status families with financial aid access and academic support.
• Student Advisory Committee (SAC) Committee representing all higher education students in Illinois on state-level issues concerning higher education, providing input to the Board of Higher Education.
• State Attainment Working Group Working group established to develop a new statewide goal for postsecondary attainment by 2040, reviewing workforce needs and defining degrees and credentials of value.
• Task Force on Campus Sexual Misconduct Climate Surveys Task force developing and recommending base survey for distribution to higher education institutions regarding campus sexual misconduct climate, with periodic updates to legislative requirements.
• IBHE Annual Reports Annual reports highlighting progress across Illinois higher education, guided by the statewide strategic plan A Thriving Illinois.

Quantifiable outcome

• By 2031, more than 70% of jobs will require education or training beyond high school
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2007MOU partnership among Office of the Governor, Illinois State Board of Education, and Gates Foundation to develop and support state policies and programs ensuring Illinois students are prepared for college and work.
• Illinois Community College Board (ICCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey coordination partner for community college oversight. The chairman of ICCB serves as an ex officio member of the IBHE Board. Joint initiatives include Equity Analysis and Planning, Behavioral Health Workforce Center, and Dual Credit programs.
• Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey coordination partner for student financial aid. The chairman of ISAC serves as an ex officio member of the IBHE Board. Joint initiatives include AIM HIGH Grant Program and financial aid information systems.
• Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on P-20 education pipeline initiatives, college readiness strategies, transitional math programs, and teacher preparation. ISBE State Superintendent serves on the State Attainment Working Group.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Benefits Navigator program, housing assistance, food security programs, and support services for students in need. IDHS Secretary serves on State Attainment Working Group.
• Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce data and employment information collaboration. IDES Director serves on State Attainment Working Group focusing on workforce alignment.
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development coordination and economic opportunity initiatives. DCEO Director serves on State Attainment Working Group.
• Illinois P-20 CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatutory body (105 ILCS 5/22-45) requiring continuum of quality education from preschool through graduate school. IBHE participates as a key education sector partner.
• Illinois Mathematics and Science AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard meeting host location and collaboration on STEM education initiatives.
• Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development coordination. IWIB representative serves on State Attainment Working Group for alignment of education and workforce needs.
• Public University Governing BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination with governing boards of nine public universities. One board member of a public university governing board is appointed to IBHE Board.
• Private College and University BoardscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordination with private institution boards. One member of a private college or university board of trustees is appointed to IBHE Board.
• Illinois Higher Education InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing coordination with 184+ institutions across Illinois including public universities, community colleges, independent institutions, and private business schools through program approval, budget coordination, and grant administration.
• Illinois Department of Human Services (Benefits Navigator)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDHS provides program overview and resources for Benefits Navigators at public institutions to help students determine eligibility for benefit programs. Regular Communities of Practice sessions coordinated.
• Office of the First Lady (MK Pritzker)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenior Advisor from Office of the First Lady serves in advisory role on State Attainment Working Group focusing on equity and educational access.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: Texas's state coordinating body for higher education, performing program approval, budget recommendations, data coordination, and grant administration across Texas public universities and community colleges. Directly comparable to IBHE in statutory role, scale, and functional responsibilities.
• Indiana Commission for Higher Education: Indiana's state higher education coordinating agency with strategic planning, program approval, and data dashboard capabilities. Smaller in scope than IBHE but analogous in statutory coordination and oversight role.
• Ohio Department of Higher Education: Ohio's state higher education agency coordinating campuses, course transfer, and policy guidance. Functionally similar to IBHE in data systems, transfer dashboards, and program/institutional approvals.
• Minnesota Office of Higher Education: Minnesota's state higher education office responsible for statewide planning, financial aid programs, and institutional authorization. Operates similar dashboards and data portals to IBHE.
• New York State Education Department (Office of Higher Education): New York's higher education arm within the state education department, performing program registration, institutional authorization, and data reporting comparable to IBHE's oversight function.
• Florida Board of Governors: Florida's governing body for the State University System of Florida, with statutory authority over program approval, budget, and strategic planning. Closely aligned with IBHE's regulatory and data coordination role.
• Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board: Wisconsin's state agency administering student financial aid and providing statewide higher education data. Overlapping with IBHE's grant administration and student financial aid functions.
• Illinois Community College Board (ICCB): Illinois's coordinating body for community colleges, with overlapping jurisdiction and shared board representation with IBHE. Cooperates with IBHE on joint initiatives (Equity Analysis, Dual Credit, Behavioral Health Workforce Center).
• Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC): Illinois's state student financial aid agency, administering AIM HIGH and other state grant programs. IBHE and ISAC share an ex officio board member and co-administer financial aid policy.

Others

• Education Commission of the States: Interstate compact that tracks state higher education policy across all U.S. states. Not a direct competitor but a coordinating and benchmarking body comparable in policy research and interagency coordination function to IBHE.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IllinoisBoardofHigherEducation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-board-of-higher-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Illinois Board of Higher Education