Rock Valley College vs. Northwestern College

Comparable Facts

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

Rock Valley College is larger than Northwestern College based on total student enrollment (5,978 students vs. 464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rock Valley College is located in Rockford, IL (Midsize City setting); Northwestern College is in Oak Lawn, IL (Large Suburban setting).
• Rock Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northwestern College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rock Valley College 19:1; Northwestern College 12:1.

Rock Valley College vs. Northwestern College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rock Valley College or Northwestern College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern College are 25.1% lower than at Rock Valley College ($8,100 vs. $10,808).
• Northwestern College is 147.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rock Valley College (about $10,901 more per year; $18,280.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.7% higher at Northwestern College than at Rock Valley College (about $10,901 more per year; $18,280.00 vs. $7,379.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rock Valley College than at Northwestern College (49% vs. 0%).

Rock Valley College vs. Northwestern College Admissions comparison

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

• Rock Valley College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Rock Valley College - Open admission; Northwestern College - Not reported.

Rock Valley College vs. Northwestern College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rock Valley College and Northwestern 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 $2,400 more per year than Northwestern College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,400 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rock Valley College graduates have a $20,708 lower median loan debt than Northwestern College graduates ($6,292 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Rock Valley College graduates have an estimated $214 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern College graduates ($65 vs. $279).
• More Rock Valley College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern College students, three years after graduation. (41% vs. 22%)

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.