Head-to-head · 2026
Rock Valley College vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Compare average net price ($5,242 at Rock Valley College; $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), ROI score (18.68 vs 14.12), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,158 vs $81,054), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Rock Valley College; 42.4% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) 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 Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 18.68 ✓ | 14.12 |
| Avg net price | $5,242 ✓ | $14,355 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,968 ✓ | $57,420 |
| In-state tuition | $4,334 | $16,004 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,379 | $35,124 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,158 | $81,054 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 42.4% |
| Graduation rate | 37.3% | 85.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.6% | 94.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,500 ✓ | $19,500 |
| Enrollment | 4,359 | 36,258 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1440 |
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 Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,409 | $2,038 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,228 ✓ | $5,373 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,756 ✓ | $7,982 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,615 ✓ | $15,152 |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,568 ✓ | $28,761 |
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 Urbana-Champaign |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 39.3% | 0% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.3% | 9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.8% | 2.2% |
| Engineering, General | 2% | 0.1% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 0.4% | 1.2% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 0.9% | 0.5% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.2% | 0.6% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 0.6% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Rock Valley College reports the lower average net price by $9,113 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $36,452 difference over four years ($20,968 vs $57,420).
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports $41,896 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($81,054 vs $39,158). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.6% at Rock Valley College and 94.8% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Median federal debt among completers is $8,500 vs $19,500, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Rock Valley College vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, 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 $14,355 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The annual difference of $9,113 adds up to about $36,452 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $81,054 vs $39,158 at Rock Valley College. The gap in the federal data is $41,896. 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.