Rockford University
- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $54,794 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $22,436 D+
- 31% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 93% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 15.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $15.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $15.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,274,302.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 34% above the national college median.
-
Graduation of 43% — 25% below the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $15.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Rockford University Matters
Rockford University is a private university in Rockford, IL and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 972
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Rockford University
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
Accessible — admits about 93% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 850–1070. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $22,436 a year after grants and scholarships — 31% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $54,794 ten years after enrolling — 34% above the typical college, against $22,274 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 40% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.55 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Rockford University has an acceptance rate of 93%, making it accessible for a wide range of students. This figure reflects the institution's commitment to welcoming diverse applicants. With a small enrollment of 972, students can expect a more personalized educational experience.
After 10 years, graduates earn a median salary of $54,794. This earning potential is crucial for students considering their return on investment. The school serves a population where 48% are Pell Grant recipients, indicating a significant number of low-income students who seek upward mobility. While detailed mobility data is not available, the emphasis on education in critical fields may enhance career prospects.
The net price for attending Rockford University stands at $22,436, with median debt at $22,274. This financial landscape suggests that students can expect a manageable debt load relative to their earnings after graduation. Students who thrive here are often those pursuing degrees in business, education, health professions, social sciences, and biology, reflecting the university’s strengths in these disciplines.
Rankings
- #15 Best Education Colleges in Illinois
- #17 Best Online Education Programs in Illinois
- #19 Best Computer Science Colleges in Illinois
- #19 Best Data Science Colleges in Illinois
- #22 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Illinois
- #22 Best Online Business Programs in Illinois
- #23 Best MBA Programs in Illinois
- #24 Best Online Nursing Programs in Illinois
Can I Get In?
How selective Rockford University 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 Rockford University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Rockford, Illinois, Rockford University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 956. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 93%
- Retention Rate
- 65%
- SAT Average
- 956
- ACT Midpoint
- 21
- SAT Range
- 850–1070
- ACT Range
- 17–23
- Full-Time Faculty
- 46%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,658
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
- Applicants
- 2,779
- Admitted
- 1,526
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 Rockford University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rockford University is $37,780, 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 $22,436. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,877 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,274 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,780
- Out-of-State
- $37,780
- Avg Net Price
- $22,436
- Median Debt
- $22,274
- Pell Grant Rate
- 48%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 57%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $20,877
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $20,841
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $22,987
- Family Income $110K+
- $27,097
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Rockford University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Rockford University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rockford University earn a median of $54,794, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $45,847
- 8 Years
- $51,281
- 10 Years
- $54,794
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.41x
- Earning > $25K
- 71%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (45)
- 31%
- 100% (45)
- 31%
- 100% (45)
- 31%
- 100% (45)
- 31%
How Rockford 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 Rockford University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Rockford University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $22,436/year ($89,744 total). Graduates earn $54,794 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,364,046 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,274,302 (15.2× your investment). The median debt is $22,274, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $89,744
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,364,046
- Net Return
- $1,274,302
- ROI Multiple
- 15.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $22,436
- Median Debt
- $22,274
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
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 Rockford University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rockford University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.68%, well above the typical college. About 5.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.68%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 28.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $113,447
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,263,829
- Investment Income
- $-3,419,486
Top Programs
The fields Rockford University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 19% $52,040 early-career
- Education 15% $39,826 early-career
- Health Professions 13% $72,503 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 10%
- Social Sciences 9% $36,562 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 4% $40,390 early-career
- Psychology 2% $35,271 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Rockford University'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
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rockford University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Rockford, Illinois, Rockford University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 93%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 956. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rockford University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rockford University is $37,780, 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 $22,436. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,877 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,274 in federal student loans.
Is Rockford University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rockford University earn a median of $54,794, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Rockford University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rockford University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.68%, well above the typical college. About 5.8% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 28.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $83,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Rockford University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Rockford University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Rockford University.
- Concordia University-ChicagoRiver Forest, IL · Close peer41% grad $54,089 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- American International CollegeSpringfield, MA · Close peer44% grad $53,124 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Saint MaryLeavenworth, KS · Close peer46% grad $59,483 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Franklin Pierce UniversityRindge, NH · Close peer50% grad $53,353 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Marian UniversityFond Du Lac, WI · Close peer43% grad $53,501 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Simpson UniversityRedding, CA · Close peer45% grad $54,340 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Rockford University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Rockford University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.55, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note