Head-to-head · 2026
Rock Valley College vs University of Illinois Chicago
Compare average net price ($5,242 at Rock Valley College; $10,974 at University of Illinois Chicago), ROI score (18.68 vs 15.66), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,158 vs $68,740), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Rock Valley College; 77.4% at University of Illinois Chicago) 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 | Rock Valley College | University of Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 18.68 ✓ | 15.66 |
| Avg net price | $5,242 ✓ | $10,974 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,968 ✓ | $43,896 |
| In-state tuition | $4,334 | $14,338 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,379 | $29,884 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,158 | $68,740 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 77.4% |
| Graduation rate | 37.3% | 61.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.6% | 80.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,500 ✓ | $16,704 |
| Enrollment | 4,359 | 22,170 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1250 |
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 | Rock Valley College | University of Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,409 ✓ | $7,529 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,228 ✓ | $8,119 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,756 ✓ | $10,921 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,615 ✓ | $16,185 |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,568 ✓ | $25,047 |
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 | Rock Valley College | University of Illinois Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.4% | 6.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.4% | 2.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.8% | 2.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.3% | 2.4% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 0.6% | 1.7% |
| Engineering, General | 2% | 0.1% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 0.4% | 1.5% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 0.9% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Rock Valley College reports the lower average net price by $5,732 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $22,928 difference over four years ($20,968 vs $43,896).
University of Illinois Chicago reports $29,582 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($68,740 vs $39,158). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.6% at Rock Valley College and 80.2% at University of Illinois Chicago. Median federal debt among completers is $8,500 vs $16,704, 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
Rock Valley College vs University of Illinois Chicago, 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 $10,974 at University of Illinois Chicago. The annual difference of $5,732 adds up to about $22,928 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Illinois Chicago reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $68,740 vs $39,158 at Rock Valley College. The gap in the federal data is $29,582. 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.