At $7,325/yr net price, Rock Valley College graduates earn $39,158/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,158/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,325 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,158/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,158/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,555/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,220/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,691/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,798/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $59,846 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $56,415 | $8,968 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $52,107 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $50,231 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $49,527 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,188 | |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $27,681 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $23,649 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,000 | $6,900 |
The Risk Factor
39.5% of students at Rock Valley College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Rock Valley College keeps your costs low and your debt lower. Median debt sits at $8,500, and you can pay it off with room to spare on the $39,158 median earnings ten years out. That's the core deal here: cheap to attend, modest but real payoff, no debt trap.
Nursing is where the money is. The associate degree in registered nursing pays $56,415, and graduates carry about $8,968 in debt against it, one of the cleanest returns on this campus. If health care isn't your path, the vehicle maintenance and repair certificate hits $52,107, and dental support programs land around $50,000 at both the certificate and associate levels. These are all sub-bachelor credentials, so the value comes from finishing fast and getting into a Rockford-area job.
The risk is the graduation rate. Under 40% of students finish, so the strong nursing and dental numbers only apply if you're in the group that completes. Start a program, drop out, and you've paid tuition for a credential you never got. The technical programs here reward you for picking a specific trade and sticking with it. general enrollment without a plan is where the money leaks.
Net price barely moves with income, and that's the part worth watching. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $5,555. Above $75k, you pay $10,798, nearly double, but still low in absolute terms. For lower-income families this is one of the more affordable ways into a nursing or dental career.
This school fits you if you want a nursing, auto, or dental credential and can commit to finishing. If you want a four-year degree or a field not listed above, there's no bachelor-level data here to promise a payoff, so plan to transfer and treat Rock Valley as a cheap first two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rock Valley College worth the cost?
Rock Valley College offers good value with a low net price of $7,325 per year and manageable debt levels around $8,500. However, the 39.5% graduation rate is concerning and may indicate completion challenges for many students.
What are the best paying programs at Rock Valley College?
Nursing programs at Rock Valley College lead to the highest earnings, with graduates earning around $56,000-$59,000 annually. Vehicle maintenance and dental support programs also offer solid returns with salaries above $49,000.
How much debt do Rock Valley College graduates have?
Rock Valley College graduates typically leave with $8,500 in debt, which is relatively low for higher education. This manageable debt load helps improve the overall return on investment for students who complete their programs.
Do Rock Valley College graduates earn good salaries?
Rock Valley College graduates earn a median of $39,158 ten years after enrollment, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost and debt levels. Career outcomes vary significantly by program, with healthcare fields offering the strongest earning potential.