Joliet Junior College vs. Rock Valley College

Comparable Facts

Compare Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL with Rock Valley College in Rockford, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Joliet Junior College is larger than Rock Valley College based on total student enrollment (14,414 students vs. 5,978 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Joliet Junior College is located in Joliet, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Rock Valley College is in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Joliet Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Rock Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Joliet Junior College 20:1; Rock Valley College 19:1.

Joliet Junior College vs. Rock Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Joliet Junior 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 Joliet Junior College than Rock Valley College ($3,090 vs. $5,445).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Joliet Junior College are 7.8% lower than at Rock Valley College ($9,970 vs. $10,808).
• Joliet Junior College is 72.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rock Valley College (about $5,371 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87% higher at Joliet Junior College than at Rock Valley College (about $6,421 more per year; $13,800.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Joliet Junior College than at Rock Valley College (58% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Joliet Junior College students is 0.4% larger than aid received by Rock Valley College students ($6,311 vs. $6,288).

Joliet Junior College vs. Rock Valley College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Joliet Junior 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 Joliet Junior College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Joliet Junior College - Open admission; Rock Valley College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Joliet Junior College Aug 16, 2027.

Joliet Junior College vs. Rock Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Joliet Junior 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 $300 more per year than Joliet Junior College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,400 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rock Valley College graduates have a $1,708 lower median loan debt than Joliet Junior College graduates ($6,292 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Rock Valley College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Joliet Junior College graduates ($65 vs. $82).
• More Rock Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Joliet Junior College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 36%)

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.