Head-to-head comparison
Rock Valley College vs Chicago State University: which has better ROI?
Option A Rockford, IL
Rock Valley College
- Net price / year
- $5,242
- Earnings, 10 years
- $39,158
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Chicago, IL
Chicago State University
- Net price / year
- $12,335
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,778
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chicago State University comes closer — median earnings $42,778 against a $49,340 total, vs $39,158 at Rock Valley College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Rock Valley College | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,242 | $12,335 |
| Total net cost | $10,484 | $49,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,158 | $42,778 |
| Median debt | $8,500 | $30,625 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$194,524 | -$160,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Rock Valley College or Chicago State University?
Rock Valley College, at $5,242 a year after aid versus $12,335 — a gap of $7,093 a year, or $38,856 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Rock Valley College or Chicago State University graduates earn more?
Chicago State University graduates report a median $42,778 ten years after entry, $3,620 more than the $39,158 at Rock Valley College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Rock Valley College or Chicago State University?
Rock Valley College: its completers carry a median $8,500 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $22,125. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at Rock Valley College, against 15% at Chicago State University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.