Oakton College vs. Rock Valley College

Comparable Facts

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

Oakton College is larger than Rock Valley College based on total student enrollment (8,329 students vs. 5,978 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Oakton College is located in Des Plaines, IL (Small City setting); Rock Valley College is in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Oakton College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Rock Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Oakton College 14:1; Rock Valley College 19:1.

Oakton College vs. Rock Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Oakton 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 Oakton College than Rock Valley College ($5,401 vs. $5,445).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Oakton College are 16.8% lower than at Rock Valley College ($8,994 vs. $10,808).
• Oakton College is 41.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rock Valley College (about $3,067 more per year; $10,446.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.9% higher at Oakton College than at Rock Valley College (about $5,083 more per year; $12,462.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oakton College than at Rock Valley College (62% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rock Valley College students is 3.3% larger than aid received by Oakton College students ($6,288 vs. $6,085).

Oakton College vs. Rock Valley College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Oakton 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 Oakton College.

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

Oakton College vs. Rock Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Oakton 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 Oakton College earn a median of about $7,700 more per year than Rock Valley College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $34,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oakton College graduates have a $425 lower median loan debt than Rock Valley College graduates ($5,867 vs. $6,292).
• Among borrowers, Oakton College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rock Valley College graduates ($60 vs. $65).
• More Oakton College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rock Valley College students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 41%)

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.