Richland Community College vs. Rock Valley College

Comparable Facts

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

Rock Valley College is larger than Richland Community College based on total student enrollment (5,978 students vs. 2,388 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Richland Community College is located in Decatur, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Rock Valley College is in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting).
• Richland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Rock Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Richland Community College 15:1; Rock Valley College 19:1.

Richland Community College vs. Rock Valley College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Richland Community 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 Richland Community College than Rock Valley College ($4,527 vs. $5,445).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rock Valley College are 10.1% lower than at Richland Community College ($10,808 vs. $12,020).
• Richland Community College is 46.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rock Valley College (about $3,421 more per year; $10,800.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.3% higher at Richland Community College than at Rock Valley College (about $9,691 more per year; $17,070.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Richland Community College than at Rock Valley College (81% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Richland Community College students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Rock Valley College students ($6,527 vs. $6,288).

Richland Community College vs. Rock Valley College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Richland Community 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 Richland Community College.

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

Richland Community College vs. Rock Valley College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Richland Community 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 $4,400 more per year than Richland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,400 vs. $30,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rock Valley College graduates have a $470 lower median loan debt than Richland Community College graduates ($6,292 vs. $6,762).
• Among borrowers, Rock Valley College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Richland Community College graduates ($65 vs. $69).
• More Rock Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Richland Community College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 34%)

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.