City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College vs. Rock Valley College

Comparable Facts

Compare City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College in Chicago, IL with Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College is larger than Rock Valley College based on total student enrollment (6,121 students vs. 5,978 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Rock Valley College is in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting).
• City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Rock Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College 20:1; Rock Valley College 19:1.

City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College vs. Rock Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College or Rock Valley College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rock Valley College than City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College ($5,445 vs. $8,156).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College are 24.8% lower than at Rock Valley College ($8,128 vs. $10,808).
• City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College is 63.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rock Valley College (about $4,711 more per year; $12,090.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.3% higher at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College than at Rock Valley College (about $7,771 more per year; $15,150.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College than at Rock Valley College (79% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Rock Valley College students ($6,431 vs. $6,288).

City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College vs. Rock Valley College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College or Rock Valley College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Rock Valley College and City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College - Open admission; Rock Valley College - Open admission.

City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College vs. Rock Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College and Rock Valley College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Rock Valley College earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,400 vs. $29,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College graduates have a $292 lower median loan debt than Rock Valley College graduates ($6,000 vs. $6,292).
• Among borrowers, City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rock Valley College graduates ($62 vs. $65).
• More Rock Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 23%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.