Rock Valley College vs. Heartland Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Rock Valley College is larger than Heartland Community College based on total student enrollment (5,978 students vs. 4,855 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rock Valley College is located in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting); Heartland Community College is in Normal, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rock Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Heartland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rock Valley College 19:1; Heartland Community College 18:1.

Rock Valley College vs. Heartland Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rock Valley College or Heartland Community 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 Heartland Community College ($5,445 vs. $11,165).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rock Valley College are 6.4% lower than at Heartland Community College ($10,808 vs. $11,550).
• Heartland Community College is 43.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rock Valley College (about $3,211 more per year; $10,590.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.7% higher at Heartland Community College than at Rock Valley College (about $5,731 more per year; $13,110.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Heartland Community College than at Rock Valley College (67% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Heartland Community College students is 5% larger than aid received by Rock Valley College students ($6,601 vs. $6,288).

Rock Valley College vs. Heartland Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rock Valley College or Heartland Community 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 Heartland Community College and Rock Valley College.

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

Rock Valley College vs. Heartland Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rock Valley College and Heartland Community 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 $3,900 more per year than Heartland Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,400 vs. $30,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rock Valley College graduates have a $458 lower median loan debt than Heartland Community College graduates ($6,292 vs. $6,750).
• Among borrowers, Rock Valley College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Heartland Community College graduates ($65 vs. $69).
• More Rock Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Heartland Community College students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.