Rock Valley College
#10 Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois- Graduation Rate
- 38% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $39,158 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $5,242 A
- 69% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 4,359
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 42.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $42.8 over 20 years. Ranked #10 in Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois.
Every $1 spent returns $42.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $877,501.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 38% — 33% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $42.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Rock Valley College Matters
Rock Valley College is a public community college in Rockford, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 4,359
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Precision Production
Why students choose Rock Valley College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $5,242 a year after grants and scholarships — 69% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $39,158 ten years after enrolling — 4% below the typical college, against $8,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 90% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.02 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Rock Valley College has a net price of just $5,242, making it an affordable option for many students. This low cost allows students to focus on their education without a heavy financial burden. With an enrollment of 4,359, the college serves a diverse student body looking for accessible pathways to their careers.
The 10-year earnings for Rock Valley graduates average $39,158. While the graduation rate sits at 38%, the college supports students from various backgrounds. The 28% of students receiving Pell Grants indicates a commitment to helping those with financial need, which can factor into long-term success and mobility.
Graduates face a median debt of $8,500, a manageable amount compared to many other institutions. Students in top programs such as Humanities, Health Professions, and Engineering often thrive here, leveraging hands-on experience and community connections. This makes Rock Valley a solid choice for those seeking practical education at an affordable price.
Rankings
- #10 Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois
- #12 Best Nursing Colleges in Illinois
- #14 Most Affordable Colleges in Illinois
- #18 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Illinois
- #22 Best Online Nursing Programs in Illinois
- #28 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois
- #29 Best Trade Schools
- #30 Best Colleges in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Rock Valley College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rock Valley College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Rockford, Illinois, Rock Valley College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 38%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,815
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.65
- First-Gen Students
- 50%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rock Valley College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rock Valley College is $7,379, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $5,242. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,409 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,334
- Out-of-State
- $7,379
- Avg Net Price
- $5,242
- Median Debt
- $8,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 4%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $3,409
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,228
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $6,756
- Family Income $110K+
- $11,568
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Rock Valley College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rock Valley College report median earnings of $39,158, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,774
- 8 Years
- $37,290
- 10 Years
- $39,158
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.22x
- Earning > $25K
- 48%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (95)
- 14%
- 100% (95)
- 14%
- 100% (95)
- 14%
- 100% (95)
- 14%
How Rock Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Rock Valley College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Rock Valley College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $5,242/year ($20,968 total). Graduates earn $39,158 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $898,469 in total earnings — a net gain of $877,501 (42.8× your investment). The median debt is $8,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 38% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $20,968
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $898,469
- Net Return
- $877,501
- ROI Multiple
- 42.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $5,242
- Median Debt
- $8,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 38%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Rock Valley College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rock Valley College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.76%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 8.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.76%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $81,800
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $7,353,228
- Investment Income
- $-1,130
Top Programs
The fields Rock Valley College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 32%
- Health Professions 24%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 13%
- Precision Production 4%
- Engineering 4%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Business & Marketing 2%
- Construction Trades 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Rock Valley College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rock Valley College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Rockford, Illinois, Rock Valley College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 38%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rock Valley College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rock Valley College is $7,379, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $5,242. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,409 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,500 in federal student loans.
Is Rock Valley College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rock Valley College report median earnings of $39,158, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Rock Valley College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rock Valley College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.76%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 8.4% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $81,800, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Rock Valley College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Rock Valley College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.02, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Rock Valley College.
- Leeward Community CollegePearl City, HI · Close peer33% grad $39,899 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeChicago, IL · Close peer32% grad $41,625 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Brightpoint Community CollegeChester, VA · Close peer39% grad $41,223 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Berkeley City CollegeBerkeley, CA · Close peer39% grad $41,217 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- CUNY Hostos Community CollegeBronx, NY · Close peer17% grad $40,485 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Columbia State Community CollegeColumbia, TN · Close peer30% grad $40,256 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Rock Valley College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Rock Valley College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.02, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note