Head-to-head · 2026
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College vs Rock Valley College
Compare average net price ($6,375 at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College; $5,242 at Rock Valley College), ROI score (16.32 vs 18.68), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,625 vs $39,158), and admissions context (Open / not reported at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright 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 | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Rock Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 16.32 | 18.68 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $6,375 | $5,242 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $25,500 | $20,968 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,590 | $4,334 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,150 | $7,379 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,625 ✓ | $39,158 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 30.9% | 37.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 72.5% ✓ | 69.6% |
| Median debt | $6,500 ✓ | $8,500 |
| Enrollment | 4,372 | 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 | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Rock Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,645 | $3,409 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,916 | $4,228 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,930 | $6,756 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,691 | $8,615 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $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 | City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College | Rock Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 67.3% | 39.3% |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 10% | 10.4% |
| Precision Metal Working | 2.1% | 3.7% |
| Engineering, General | 3.2% | 2% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 3.4% | 0.5% |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 2.3% | 1.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.4% | 0.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.9% | 0.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Rock Valley College reports the lower average net price by $1,133 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,532 difference over four years ($20,968 vs $25,500).
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College reports $2,467 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($41,625 vs $39,158). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 72.5% at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College and 69.6% at Rock Valley College. Median federal debt among completers is $6,500 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
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College vs Rock Valley College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Rock Valley College is cheaper — average net price $5,242 per year vs $6,375 at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College. The annual difference of $1,133 adds up to about $4,532 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $41,625 vs $39,158 at Rock Valley College. The gap in the federal data is $2,467. 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.