Head-to-head · 2026
Carl Sandburg College vs Rock Valley College
Compare average net price ($3,662 at Carl Sandburg College; $5,242 at Rock Valley College), ROI score (24.08 vs 18.68), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($35,274 vs $39,158), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Carl Sandburg College; Open / not reported at Rock Valley College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Carl Sandburg College | Rock Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 24.08 ✓ | 18.68 |
| Avg net price | $3,662 ✓ | $5,242 |
| 4-year avg net price | $14,648 ✓ | $20,968 |
| In-state tuition | $5,390 | $4,334 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,900 | $7,379 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $35,274 | $39,158 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 50% ✓ | 37.3% |
| Retention rate | 62.5% | 69.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $4,909 ✓ | $8,500 |
| Enrollment | 1,051 | 4,359 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Carl Sandburg College | Rock Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,014 ✓ | $3,409 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,025 ✓ | $4,228 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,074 ✓ | $6,756 |
| Family income $75–110k | $5,162 ✓ | $8,615 |
| Family income $110k+ | $6,012 ✓ | $11,568 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Carl Sandburg College | Rock Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 62.3% | 39.3% |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 4.1% | 10.4% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 1.4% | 12.8% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 1.6% | 11.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.5% | 2.4% |
| Precision Metal Working | 3.3% | 3.7% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 5.1% | 1.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.3% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Carl Sandburg College reports the lower average net price by $1,580 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,320 difference over four years ($14,648 vs $20,968).
Rock Valley College reports $3,884 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($39,158 vs $35,274). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 62.5% at Carl Sandburg College and 69.6% at Rock Valley College. Median federal debt among completers is $4,909 vs $8,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Carl Sandburg College vs Rock Valley College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Carl Sandburg College is cheaper — average net price $3,662 per year vs $5,242 at Rock Valley College. The annual difference of $1,580 adds up to about $6,320 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Rock Valley College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $39,158 vs $35,274 at Carl Sandburg College. The gap in the federal data is $3,884. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.